Although most visitors flock to Gran Canaria for its perfect weather, stunning shoreline, and gorgeous mountain scenery, one of the most underrated elements of any trip here is how good the food is. The local cuisine of the island is heavily inspired by Spain, as expected, but there’s a huge focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, whether that be newly caught seafood or pigs born and raised on the island. If you want to have a taste of some international flavours you’ll be covered too: the sheer number of tourists to the island means you can get great food from all over, including cuisines like Japanese and Indian.
If you’re keen to munch your way around this Canary Island, then read ahead to our guide to the best Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner spots on Gran Canaria.
Breakfast
Mr. Kale
Located on a beautiful pedestrianised street in the south of the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, this restaurant is famed for its nutritious and delicious breakfast menu. There are tonnes of fresh fruit juices and smoothies, as well as a chance to add all the superfood favourites like acai, chia seeds, and goji berries to your dishes. The breakfast menu isn’t just green things though: they have a variety of egg dishes, and some more fun options like pancakes. With that said, our favourite breakfast dish here is the Mr Kale’s Eggs Benedict – tasty and filling, without being too greasy.
Mr. Kale is also one of the best restaurants on Gran Canaria for vegetarians and vegans. The menu is only in Spanish, but the staff are friendly and will help you choose a dish if you’re struggling to figure out what you want. With that being said, we’re certain you could pick anything and be delighted with what comes from the kitchen.
Mol Café
Those who like the sweeter things in life (and in the morning) should head to this charming little Las Palmas de Gran Canaria café, where there’s everything from excellent coffee to a wide variety of cakes that would satisfy even Bruce Bogtrotter. Everything is made in-house, and all the products are incredibly good value for money. Plus, the café overlooks a wide green space, so everything feels very tranquil.
The owners and staff are all very friendly and attentive without being pushy, so the laidback feel is maintained. Even if you’re just stopping in for a hot drink, we’d highly recommend swinging by – you might just end up staying longer than expected. We’d suggest a coffee and cheesecake to start the day here – you won’t regret it.
Lunch
Grill Costa Mar
Head down to the southern tip of Gran Canaria for lunch at this little eatery. Tucked away from the main hustle and bustle of the tourist centres of the island, Grill Costa Mar is all about the ingredients. As is easy to guess from the name, there’s a big emphasis on fish and seafood here, although they also add a Basque twist to their dishes, which is what makes this place so unique.
The views from the restaurant are second-to-none: you can enjoy lunch here while staring out onto the sparkling sea, or even with the gentle breeze in your face as there is outdoor seating. They also have a great wine list and expansive cocktail menu, if you want to add a bit of fun to your lunch. While everything on the menu is delicious, it’s the king prawns that are a must-devour, so don’t be afraid to get messy!
Addio Mare Restaurant & Pizzeria
This gem is right in the heart of tourist country, just off Las Burras Beach, but even so every meal here is a special experience that feels like you’re in an undiscovered restaurant that’s about to make it big. Addio Mare don’t take reservations, so it is first come first served, but a few years ago they had to expand because they were so popular, so for lunch you can usually find a seat.
Of course, the pizza and pasta dishes here are phenomenal, with dough and pasta made in-house; in that sense it’s probably the best Italian restaurant in Gran Canaria. However, it does so much more than the standard pizza and pasta dishes; their signature dish is a Provencal Steak that serves two, slathered in bearnaise sauce and with vegetables.
They also have La Espetada, a kind of fillet steak that hangs off a skewer and is melt-in-the-mouth delicious. With all that being said, if we had to choose our favourite dish it would be the exceptional Sirloin Pizza, which is as delicious as it sounds.
Dinner
Mirador La Cilla
Artenera, where Mirador La Cilla is located, isn’t exactly a heaving hotspot. Known primarily for the endless cave system that runs under the ground here, you need to go through one of the dark tunnels that carves through the earth to get to this restaurant, which is located on top of the village tourist centre. The scare is worth it, though: you’ll be blessed with the best restaurant view in Gran Canaria, and possibly the world, with stunning panoramic views of the island stretching out beneath you, and Roque Nublo in the distance.
Dishes are crafted with locally sourced ingredients, and there is a focus on proper Gran Canaria cuisine.
They use watercress a lot, which is a staple on the island, and although the meals are fairly simple they’re incredibly appetising. However, even if they weren’t, the unique location and view would make this a must visit.
La Aquarela
This Michelin starred restaurant has been rhapsodised by legions of visitors to the island and for good reason: it’s probably the best restaurant on Gran Canaria. Part of its charm is the fact it’s located in what seems to be an apartment building, but don’t let that affect your view of the eatery. The chefs deliver astounding dishes that display both technical skill and an intimate knowledge of local produce. The wine list is also top notch, and the staff are phenomenal.
Like most starred restaurants it’s a tasting menu, but you have a few to choose from. The dishes change seasonally, so we can’t recommend anything specifically, but we’re sure that no matter what tasting menu you go for, it’ll be an experience to remember.
Looking to explore more of Gran Canaria? Take a look at our insider’s guide to the island’s beaches and bays.
Ready to try these Gran Canaria restaurants? Download the Orbzii app and Dream, Plan, and Book your Canary Islands food tasting tour today!
