Lanzarote Food and Drinks
An Irresistible Temptation
Lanzarote food is like its landscapes – spectacular
Lanzarote food – the local cuisine consists of a multitude of dishes – simple but very tasty. From fresh fish of the day, to local goat cheese, the gourméts will find what they are looking for! Some of you will simply succumb to different tapas to share, and this is probably the best idea if you don’t want to miss a local speciality!
You’re finally on vacation, you don’t want to buy food or cook for yourself – even better this way! Don’t miss the chance to try the local cuisine. In walking distance from our surf camp and apartments, you will find a many restaurants and tapas bars. They are offering tasty local specialities and international dishes! Not to mention all the restaurants scattered all along our beautiful island!
Discover the tasty pleasures Lanzarote has to offer
You can find some traditional Canarian tapas, however, the majority are unique to Lanzarote with their inimitable taste! We at REDSTARSURF have selected some typical dishes, tapas and wines that you absolutely must taste during your stay in Lanzarote!
Local seafood
Fish and Seafood
For fish and seafood lovers of all kinds, Lanzarote is paradise on earth. Fishing is rooted in the island’s traditions as much as in its economy. So you’re pretty sure to find fresh fish caught that same day on your plate! Octopus, squid, shrimp, tuna, grouper, hake, crab, lobster, sardine, bass, cod! Here are our recommendations.
The best way to try the local cuisine is in local bars and restaurants, far away from the tourist miles. There is something for every budget, the local gastronomy is excellent in all price categories.
The ultimate must-visit place is probably the local Restaurant – El Risco de Famara, which was awarded by Heineken as Best Restaurant in the Canaries in 2020. Make sure you reserve well in advance, otherwise you could miss their excellent quality of food, service and their stunning views over the Famara bay and Cliffs.
Grilled octopus or Galician style octopus – Pulpo a la plancha or Pulpo a la Gallega
At first glance, the appearance of this dish may surprise or even repel you. But as they say, “don’t be fooled by appearances,” and try! Indeed, these dishes are very popular in Lanzarote, and most restaurants here have them on their menu.
Preparation types of the octopus
Grilled octopus – pulpo a la plancha – is usually served with Canarian potatoes (papas arrugadas) and a small salad.
Octopus Galician style (pulpo a la Gallega) – comes originally from Galicia in the north of Spain. Usually served thinly sliced on a bed of potatoes along with sweet red pepper and olive oil.
Grilled octopus with mojo sauce
Gambas y Pulpo al ajillo
Gambas al ajillo – Prawns with garlic
It is an exquisite dish, which mixes the flavour of shrimp with a touch of garlic and chili. This dish is ideal at any time of the day, especially if freshly prepared.
Accompany the gambas with a few pieces of bread to dip in. The portion size is usually small. The shrimps are cooked in oil and garlic and flavoured with a few herbs. Heads up on the garlic – don’t plan on eating them for a romantic date unless you’re both crazy about it!
Shrimp are low in calories and contain many important minerals and vitamins. It also contains important omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for your brain and immune system in general. So eating shrimp helps keep your body healthy for surfing.
Lapas – Limpets
In the Canary Islands, 4 types of lapas can be found. The lapa curvina, the lapa majorera, the white lapa and the black lapa. The black and white are the most popular,l and they are the ones you will find most often in restaurants. Our friends the Guanches already loved to eat them.
Lapas are shells similar to mussels or clams, a bit smaller. Generally, in small local restaurants, you will get lapas with grilled with mojo verde, and with Canarian Potatoes. These little shells will delight you, especially the dark ones.
Lapas a la plancha
Meat
Canarians are meat lovers and prepare it in all its forms! Grilled meat, stews, carpaccios – you will have plenty of choice during your stay in Lanzarote! Here are some recommendations for you.
Estofado de cabra
Cabrito – Roast young goat
If you go for a walk in the volcanoes national park, you will see a lot of goats on the slopes. Goats are an important part of the Canarian culture, specifically for their meat and cheese. We recommend that you try the “cabrito”.
Conejo – Rabbit
Traditional inhabitants of Lanzarote call themselves the “The rabbit hunters” – or “Conejeros”. Rabbit hunt is an ancient tradition in Lanzarote and these days a real sport. Rabbits are hunted at certain times of the year because they are known to destroy protected flora species on the island. To do this hunters use their hunting dog called podenco. These dogs are of Spanish breed and very known on the island.
Previously, rabbit was also part of the diet of the island’s former inhabitants, the Guanches. Today, local rabbit is served fried or stewed and of course with papas arrugadas and mojo.
Cochino Negro Canario – Black Canary Pig
This breed of pig has been present in the Canary Islands since the arrival of the Guanches, the first inhabitants of the Canary Islands.
This pre-Hispanic pig breed was probably of North African origin. The Guanches obtained meat, butter for preserves, furs for clothing and bones to make tools and ornaments. Lanzarote’s local population highly appreciate the meat.
Cochino negro canario is served either grilled, fried or as a stew with herbs and garlic. In addition, the meat is used the preparation of Chicharrones, typical Canarian fried crusts, dipped in gofio. Also, the Chorizo Canario, a kind of a raw cured sausage contains the black Canarian pig.
Cochino Canario – Black Canarian pig – (Source : REDSTARSURF)
Fruits and vegetables
Lanzarote enjoys an exceptional climate all year round. Therefore, agriculture is a predominant activity on the island and is truly reflected in the quality of fruit and vegetables. Many markets operate in the small villages of the island, the ideal place for buying local fruit and vegetables.
Papas arrugadas
Traditional Canarian potatoes, cooked in salted water with their skin on. If you are looking for a real Canarian culinary experience, then you must try them. They are always accompanied by mojo in order to have more flavour. These potatoes are either a main or a side dish to many different dishes! Don’t miss that!
Mojo picon, Mojo verde
The typical sauce, served with a variety of dishes is Mojo. Two types of mojo exist: mojo verde, a milder green sauce made with different herbs (beware of garlic) and mojo picon, a red sauce made with chili.
Canarian potatoes with mojo – Papas arrugadas con mojo – (Source : REDSTARSURF)
Pimientos al padron – Peppers of Padron – (Source : REDSTARSURF)
Pimientos al padron – Peppers of Padron
These come from the municipality of Padrón in the province of La Coruña in Galicia. They are peculiar in the fact that, while their taste is generally mild, a minority (10-25%) are particularly hot. This will depend on the amount of water and light the plant has received during its cultivation.
Enjoy Padron pimiento as a tapas, with an omelette or with fish or meat. The peppers usually come fried and served in one piece.
Gofio
Gofio consists of local grilled corn wheat, which is very rich in vitamins, proteins and fibre. The mixture is popular for deserts, as a garnish for fish and meat, or for soups and stews. It used to be a nutrition base of the Guanches, the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands. The Canarians have been handing down the traditional gofio recipe from generation to generation for centuries. We highly recommend you to try mousse de gofio (a truly local and mildly sweet Canarian dessert) in one of the local restaurants.
Grilled semi-cured cheese in Lanzarote Bar La Piscina
Cheese
There are loads of goats in Lanzarote. Three categories of goat cheese exist: fresh, semi-cured and cured cheese – fresco, semi-curado and curado. Local goat farms produce delicious cheese, and restaurants serve them fresh, grilled or deep-fried.
Fresh or grilled goat cheese
You should try local goat cheese served fresh with blueberry or fig jam. Also the grilled goat cheese with the sauces mojo verde or mojo picón. For cheese lovers – a must!
Drinks
Wine lovers will appreciate Lanzarote for its excellent white and rosé wines
Local Wines & Craft Beers
Local wines are winning gold and silver medals at important wine events across all Europe. The secret of their success is the amazing taste of the local grapes. The most important ones being Malvasia, Moscatel, Diego and Listan Blanco or Negro.
The way the grapes in Lanzarote are grown is really unique
The grapes grow through a layer of volcanic ash, which covers big parts of the island. Interestingly, the grapes grow without any additional watering, except after planting. The volcanic ash absorbs the necessary amount of water from the morning condensate and delivers it to the root. This natural watering control makes the taste of the grape extra intense and fruity.
Take a tour along the Wine Path – La Geria, and discover all the famous wineries (bodegas) located there. Our friends from Wine Tours Lanzarote will take you on this amazing journey.
Make sure you SIGN UP in advance as the places are limited and highly demanded.
Grapes growing through a layer of volcanic ash
If you like this article, feel free to look at our other pages to learn more about Lanzarote & surfing and become an expert!
Find our surf school and surf camp in Caleta de Famara, Lanzarote, Canary Islands. We are looking forward to welcoming you on our beautiful island!
