What to eat

Taking a tour of the establishments that dot the city is a way to understand its cultural influences and to travel through Europe, America, Asia and Africa without losing sight of the place where we are. In them you can taste the best dishes of the local gastronomy, elaborated in a traditional way or reinterpreted by Michelin-starred chefs; recipes of Spanish cuisine, both traditional and modern; and food from more than 150 different origins.

Papas con mojo and much more
Canarian gastronomy is simple and diverse, much like its people. In the capital of Gran Canaria there are many places where you can enjoy the most traditional dishes: from potaje de berros (watercress stew) to ropa vieja; carajacas and pata asada (roast pork); gofio escaldado and papas con mojo; fresh fish and locally sourced meats; and Canarian cheeses—especially goat’s and sheep’s cheese—true delicacies, some of them protected by a Protected Designation of Origin, such as Queso Flor de Guía.

To accompany these dishes, there is nothing better than a wine produced at one of the island’s wineries, under the Gran Canaria Designation of Origin. For dessert, visitors can choose from the many varieties of fruit grown on the islands or traditional sweets such as huevos mole or bienmesabe.

World food
Thanks to its port, which has served as a base for fleets from many parts of the world, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has been a pioneer in Spain in the introduction of Japanese and Korean cuisine, both well represented in the city, as well as Russian cuisine. Dishes from other Asian traditions can also be enjoyed, including Chinese, Indian, Malay, Filipino, Nepalese and Indonesian cuisine.

The comings and goings between the city and the Americas are reflected in the presence of Argentinian, Uruguayan, Cuban, Venezuelan, Colombian, Peruvian and Mexican restaurants spread throughout the city. And the proximity of Africa is mirrored in Moroccan and Lebanese restaurants. Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Sweden, Portugal, Finland and Norway also have their place in the extraordinarily wide range of international cuisines found in the capital of Gran Canaria.

• Traditional Canarian recipes