Gastronomy
Traditional Canarian cuisine is not too complicated, but it is tasty and healthy, therefore going to the islands, it is worth resisting the temptation of numerous Italian, Chinese and Mexican restaurants, which spread through the resorts, and set off in search of real local food.
When to eat
When going to the Canary Islands, you have to remember about quite specific eating habits of their inhabitants, especially if you plan to eat outside the resorts (restaurants in resorts are open practically all the time, while the premises in more traditional localities are often open only for mealtimes). The islanders eat three kinds of meals: breakfast (served to 10.00, it usually consists of coffee with milk and a small cookie or croissant), meal (that is, a full two-course dinner with dessert or coffee, eaten between 13.00 a 15.00) and the price (20.00-24.00, which is a slightly less abundant version of dinner). Of course, in the meantime, you can stop somewhere for a glass of wine or a glass of beer, to whet your appetite by ordering a snack. Tapas are usually served free of charge with drinks (the most common peanuts, olives, a small piece of baguette with a slice of ham or a piece of tortilla); other options are cheap raciones or bocadillos (baguette sandwiches).
Where to eat
The rule is simple – the further away from the resorts, the better. Coffee, tea, alcohol and small snacks are served in cafeterias and bares or bares de tapas, which actually do not differ completely from each other. You can eat something more specific in restaurants (restaurant), but also in places called comedor and mesón, which are usually a bit cheaper and family run.
Vegetarians In short, Spaniards are carnivores, and although there are more and more vegetarians here, people who do not eat fish and meat may still have problems with finding something for themselves on the menu. Very often the choice is limited to ensalada mixta (lettuce with tomatoes, asparagus, hard-boiled egg – Caution, you have to ask, to be served without tuna) and tortillas and cheese sandwiches (ąueso sandwich) or vegetables (sandwich uegetal). People will have no problem, which will focus on cooking on your own – the choice of fresh vegetables and fruits as well as products such as lentils and chickpeas is really big.
Self-catering
The cheapest chain of supermarkets is Mercadona and HiperDino, which have shops on all islands, also in resorts. The prices of groceries bought in supermarkets are slightly higher than in Poland, therefore, people planning self-catering will not experience a large loss in their wallet. In resorts, it is better to avoid shopping in small shops and the NETTO supermarket created especially for tourists, where the choice of products is much smaller, and the prices are very overpriced. Fresh vegetables and fruits can be purchased in some places on mercadillo de agricultor (agricultural market; usually on Saturdays).
Prices
Due to the strong competition, prices in the resorts remain at a reasonable level, while in non-tourist towns they are adjusted to the wallets of the inhabitants. Local restaurants look very modest, however, the quality of the dishes served there more than compensates for the deficiencies of the decor. Prices in restaurants depend of course on the standard and ordered dishes. Chinese all you can eat buffets pay approx. 10 € per person (drinks paid separately). One-course dinner at the restaurant (e.g.. fish with papas arrugadas and vegetables) it costs approx. 15—20 €. The islands are a real paradise for coffee and wine lovers – even in seaside resorts, a cup of little black dress should not cost more than 1,50 €, and a glass of good local wine 2-3 €.
Going to dinner at a restaurant, it's always worth asking about the del dia menu (dinnerware set) or possibly plato del dia (dish of the day), which are often cheaper than à la carte dishes. Part of the restaurant, though it provides, that serves freshly caught fish, mainly serves frozen food. The chances of freshly caught fish are increasing, if asked for a pescado del dia.