Too full to move? These are the best hotels in Gran Canaria in which to nap off those carbs.
And when it’s time for a pick-me-up, get down to the best bars and nightlife in Gran Canaria.
Abrasa Grill
Carne is king here
This is the place for a hefty refuel after a hike in Gran Canaria’s rugged interior. Don’t let the mildly drab dining room throw you off: the kitchen here does a range of delicious char-grilled carne (meat) that includes lomo alto (sirloin) and chips, or more imaginative plates including the excellent Argentine-style grilled chorizo with spicy-sour chimichurri. Vegetarians are well taken care of with a not-insignificant list of non-meat tapas.
Calle Secundino Delgado 5, Maspalomas
facebook.com/grillabrasa
El Santo
Find creative riffs on Gran Canarian cuisine here / Image: @ouh.mamma
Chef Abraham Ortega’s bright, retro-cool restaurant on a quiet street in Las Palmas might be Gran Canaria’s most hyped eating-out address, and the cooking easily merits the rep. Making use of the island’s ingredients, the kitchen does creative riffs on local dishes that aren’t trying to be too Instagrammy. Oh, and dessert here is never less than divine. Booking ahead recommended.
Escritor Benito Pérez Galdós 23, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
elsantorestaurante.com
LoLa
The on-trend dining room is effortlessly chic
Set in a beautiful, on-trend teal dining room with warm midcentury touches, owner Fabrizio Sbarufatti and chef Matteo Rossi’s space feels like a small everyone-knows-everyone neighbourhood restaurant, only with destination cooking that makes artful use of local ingredients. Perfectly presented plates of scorpion-fish ceviche with cherry leche de tigre or ox tongue with amaranth leaf feel worthy of Michelin attention. Highly recommended.
Avenida de Tirajana 17, Edificio Barbados 2, Las Palmas
lola.restaurant
La Marinera
Come for fairly priced seafood, stay for the sea views
The Atlantic-facing dining room at this casual, unpretentious seafood restaurant feels a bit dated but, even so, the fresh-from-the-net, grilled seafood keeps locals and Gran Canaria returnees coming back year after year. The sopa de marisco (fish soup) is a good entry point to a long lunch before moving on to the seriously good seafood paella. Failing that, the chopped octopus with tangy mojo verde sauce is a more-than-safe alternative.
Calle Alonso Ojeda, Las Palmas
restaurantelamarineralaspalmas.com
Llévame al Huerto
Any town or city would be proud to home this small but sure-footed bistro-cafe in Las Palmas. Not just for the warm, smiley service or for the hodgepodge, cool-country-house interior, but for owner Cristyna Arteaga Márquez’s thoughtful, well-sourced range of vegetarian- and vegan-friendly dishes too. A meal might include a spicy, Thai-style red curry or truffle oil mushrooms on sourdough topped with wasabi, coriander and lime. Big vegan joy guaranteed.
Calle Ruiz de Alda, 26, Las Palmas
facebook.com/llevamealhuertoLasPalmas
Guirlache
The scoop? Guirlache has the best ice cream on the island
For some sweet treats to take on a trek or, indeed, for some local dulce (dessert) just because, this slightly drab-looking pastelería (sweet shop) in the Triana neighbourhood of Las Palmas opened in 1973 and, well, still looks exactly the same. But don’t let arch-retro vibe throw you: it has some of the best ice cream in town (chocolate nougat flavour every time), as well as a wide range of scrummy chocolates (like the crazy-good praline bonbons) and takeaway-ready tartaletas for less than €3 a pop. Genuinely lovely staff add to the old-is-gold allure.
Calle Triana 68, Las Palmas
guirlachetriana.com
La Tapita Los Joses
Delightfully calorific, deep-fried picnic snacks stand out here
For a no-frills cheap eat in Playa del Inglés, this all-day neighbourhood tapas bar isn’t going to be your best meal but it’s good at what it does: peppy service and a selection of small plates that runs the spectrum of classic Spanish tapas (jamón ibérico, rejos de calamar, croquetas de jamón et al). But it’s also a handy spot to have on the radar for its calorific picnic snacks to go such as the delicious empanadas de atún (tuna pasties).
Calle Plácido Domingo, 5, Las Palmas
latapitalosjoses.com
Ibericos J Cruz
Go ham on jamón ibérico at this smart playa-side address
For made-in-Spain raciones (small plates) in a slightly smarter setting in Playa del Inglés, this favourite has outdoor seating and does the reassuringly familiar roll-call of Spanish tapas to a standard that leaves nothing to complain about. Book ahead for dinner, or just swing by for a lunch of cold cerveza and boquerones en vinagre (anchovies in vinegar, €2.50) or fatty jamón ibérico. The jamón-beef burgers are popular with locals, too. Expect to hustle for terrace tables at weekends.
Calle Partera Leonorita, 22
ibericos-jcruz.com
Los Guayres
The pretty terrace is the perfect setting for a lavish eight-course meal
An eight-course, Michelin-starred tasting menu for €90? Sure, that’s not to everyone’s budget but, if you’re into fine dining, that’s a pretty good deal. Especially when the standards are this high and you get one of this hotel restaurant’s beautiful balcony tables. Chef Alexis Álvarez sends out imaginatively paired plates, like roasted scarlet shrimp with pickled beetroot or foie gras confit with pineapple and pedro ximenez sherry. Definitely the top table in Puerto de Mogán. Book ahead.
Avenida de los Marrero 2, Puerto de Mogán
losguayres.com
Deliciosa Marta
If you haven’t done your pre-holiday homework and you find yourself ambling around trendy-chic Triana neighbourhood in Las Palmas, you’ll likely pass this attractive-looking restaurant and think, I want a piece of that. Too bad. Chef Pol Durán once cooked at El Bulli, Catalonia, and this place will almost certainly be fully booked. But, hey, give it a go and see for yourself whether the national acclaim is justified. Spoiler alert: it is. Book well in advance.
Pérez Galdós 33, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
facebook.com/pages/DeliciosaMarta