Guachinche is a type of gastronomic establishment in the Canary Islands. Traditional Canarian food is served here, accompanied by excellent homemade wine. Guachinche in Tenerife are generally small, family-run restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious meal at a very attractive price. In the past, local farmers set up stalls with the tastiest homemade products to sell to tourists visiting the island. This usually took place at the end of the wine harvest to ensure the sale of the product. Over time, these stalls transformed into establishments, some large and others really tiny.
Today, not much of the history remains, but the fact is that you can truly enjoy a great meal at any guachinche in Tenerife. Although the menu is mostly similar in most places, each one offers different proposals. From vegetable dishes to cheeses, meat dishes, and sometimes even fish and seafood. In addition, there are excellent local white fruity wines and dry red wines (although this is not always the case). It’s worth visiting a guachinche if you enjoy grilled dishes, as they make up about 80% of the menu. These establishments are extremely popular among the local population and are usually crowded on weekends. However, this is a testament to the truly delicious cuisine served in these places. There are plenty of guachinches on all the Canary Islands, but Tenerife has the most.
The establishments serving the most delicious dishes are located on the northern side of the island. There are a few interesting places in the south, although not as many. Below you will find a list of the best and recommended guachinches in Tenerife.
Guachinche in Tenerife – South of the island
El Cordero
One of the most popular guachinche restaurants in the south of the island, located near the town of Guargacho. Situated next to a banana plantation, it entices its customers with a visit to the plantation. Visitors can enter for free during their stay at the restaurant, and there are a few goats that can be fed with bananas prepared there. They serve typical Canarian dishes, tasty appetizers, hearty main courses, and excellent wine. All of this in a green setting, a kind of garden with an incredibly attractive atmosphere.
Hípico Xanadú & El Rancho de Nino
These are two Canarian restaurants located near the popular El Cordero, essentially situated on the other side of the banana plantation, exactly behind it. At Guachinche Xanadu, there is an Equestrian Center, and right next to it is El Rancho de Niño. In the garden of this restaurant, there are many cages with parrots and other birds. Both establishments serve Canarian cuisine, mainly grilled dishes. At Xanadu, we recommend trying fried yucca (yuca frita) as a substitute for potatoes or fries. It’s not a dish you can find everywhere, but it has an interesting taste.
El Gomero
This is not a typical guachinche, but it is one of the best-rated Canarian restaurants in Las Américas. Established since 1975, it still delights with delicious cuisine and relatively low prices. There is always a queue during lunch and dinner time. Here you will find very tasty fish soup, shrimp cocktail, octopus, as well as rabbit in Salmorejo sauce and a whole menu of other meat dishes (not just grilled). In addition to that, they offer salads, vegetables, and desserts. The food is very tasty, and it is located in the center of Las Américas in the Las Terrazas building (opposite Siam Mall and the National Police).
Asadero Central
This small, family-run Canarian restaurant is located in the higher part of Valle San Lorenzo in the south of Tenerife. The place is quite interesting, decorated with old everyday items. They have delicious goat meat on the menu, sweet blood sausage (morcilla dulce – a Canarian delicacy), as well as many other interesting appetizers, dishes, and desserts.
Guachinche in Tenerife – West of the island
Casa Edu
This is the most popular guachinche in the Los Gigantes area in the southwest of the island. The restaurant is located in front of the Local Police building and near the Mirador Archipenque viewpoint. It is a spacious establishment with a terrace. They serve typical Canarian cuisine, and the menu offers a variety of grilled dishes. They also serve the excellent local fruity white wine Vino Blanco Afrutado Bodega 35. We recommend trying it.
Mesón del Norte
This gastronomic establishment is located near the village of Las Portelas, on the road between Buenavista del Norte and Masca. The food here is very tasty and plentiful. In addition to many Canarian appetizers, the menu offers a wide selection of meats and excellent house wine. The service is very friendly and fast.
Guachinche in Tenerife – Northeast of the island
La Cueva Caprichosa
This gastronomic establishment is literally located in a cave. The guachinche is situated in Taco, near the town of La Laguna. Accessing this place is not the easiest, but the visit to the restaurant compensates for the effort. First, you have to go through a small tunnel, and then descend the stairs to the dining area where the tables are set. It offers an extraordinary closeness to nature, with plants growing out of the rocks and a unique atmosphere. All of this is accompanied by excellent wine and very tasty Canarian dishes.
Guachinche Paraíso
This Canarian restaurant is located in the historic center of La Laguna. They serve delicious homemade Canarian food at very affordable prices. The place is extremely popular among many Canarian families who visit La Laguna on weekends. It is worth planning a meal here if you are visiting the northwestern part of the island. La Laguna is, after all, the birthplace of the local history and culture. It’s worth a visit.
La Granja
This guachinche is located in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, on Espinero Street. It is a quite spacious gastronomic establishment, prepared for large groups. You will find a wide selection of Canarian dishes on the menu. We particularly recommend trying rabbit in Salmorejo sauce and Canarian potatoes with Mojo Rojo and Mojo Verde sauces.
Guachinche in Tenerife – North of the island
La Huerta de Ana y Eva
This is one of the highest-rated Canarian restaurants on Tenerife. It is located on Obispo Pérez Cáceres Street in La Matanza, in the north of Tenerife. The restaurant has an extremely cozy dining room decorated with various plants. However, due to its size, it seems more suitable for large groups than individual diners. The portions here are enormous, which is a definite advantage for the hungry. The food is very tasty and affordable.
Bodegón El Primero
This establishment is located in Santa Úrsula, on Malpais Street, in the north of Tenerife. One of its main advantages is its proximity to the northern highway of Tenerife. It is located near the exit from Highway 28. It is a very popular and highly rated place that offers homemade Canarian food at relatively affordable prices. We recommend trying the Garbanzos soup, octopus, and for meat lovers, the grilled fillet. They also serve very tasty fruity wine, Vino Afrutado Bodega 35.
Guachinche Romance
This Canarian restaurant is located in La Orotava. It is situated right on the TF-21 road, leading from La Orotava towards Mount Teide. Pay attention to the decoration of this place, as it is almost entirely dedicated to equestrian themes. Guachinche Romance is known for its incredibly delicious and juicy meat. Guests can enjoy their meals inside the restaurant or on the terrace with a spectacular ocean view.
Bodega Hermanos Polo – Guachinche El Pajar
This establishment is also located in the municipality of La Orotava, near the town of Pinolere. The restaurant offers an excellent balance of quality and price. Additionally, it has a spacious terrace with a spectacular mountain view. You will find a wide selection of grilled meats and various Canarian appetizers here.
Guachinche La Casona
This Canarian restaurant is located next to a huge vineyard, just above the town of La Orotava. They serve excellent homemade wine, including fruity white and rosé wines, as well as dry red wine. You can enjoy stuffed mushrooms with almogrote paste and a very tasty version of Ropa Vieja (usually served with beef). They also offer a variety of grilled meats and Canarian potatoes with sauces. The place is fully open (with umbrellas), but we do not recommend it on rainy days.
Guachinche El Cubano
This place is also located near La Orotava. Getting to this place is not the easiest, as the last part of the journey leads through a half-dirt road. The amazing view from the mountains to the ocean compensates for the effort. It is an authentic and cozy place, although speed is not its forte. Therefore, it is only recommended for patient diners. All the dishes are rich and plentiful, and reasonably priced.
Guachinche El Pino
This is the perfect place for family gatherings. This huge Canarian restaurant is located in Los Realejos, in the north of Tenerife, on Longuera Street. It is very popular among the locals and boasts excellent homemade Canarian food (cheeses with Canarian sauces, mussels, carne fiesta, and delicious wine).