As of August 2026 (updated regularly)
Six bars in Gáldar are bucking the trend; tour groups tend to give this place a miss. Around the Plaza de Santiago, the locals order their beer with local goat’s cheese as a tapa, washed down with wine from the Canary Islands on tap. The best bars in Gáldar are owned by locals rather than holiday resorts. This town in the north-west of Gran Canaria was once the seat of a Guanartemen, an ancient Canarian island king, and its drinking culture has remained untouched by this history. La Cantina de Ro tops the list with 5.0 stars, followed by bars where Spanish is the norm.
Bars in Gáldar: prices, opening hours, local tips
A beer with a tapa rarely costs more than three euros. At lunchtime, between 2 pm and 4 pm, the bars fill up with office workers on their lunch break; the nightlife gets going around 9 pm. Menus are almost exclusively in Spanish, so ordering can be tricky without a basic knowledge of the language. Many of the smaller bars prefer to accept cash rather than cards. Fresh fish comes from Sardina del Norte, the town’s fishing harbour, ten kilometres from the old town.
Tips for your visit
Bar Restaurante Hnos. Melian tops the list with 880 reviews and 4.5 stars; no other venue in Gáldar has garnered such acclaim. Next come Bar La Pizarra and Bar La Cuarta, both with around 450 reviews, whilst Bar Ca Aniano has 530 reviews.
The bars in the old town are clustered closely together, several of them within walking distance of the Iglesia de Santiago de los Caballeros. Coffee and beer glasses sit side by side on the same bar, accompanied by plates of cheese and ham. In the late afternoon, the people of Gáldar gather here, and the alleyways around the Cueva Pintada fall silent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get by speaking German in restaurants in Gáldar?
In Gáldar’s 51 restaurants, the staff mainly speak Spanish, as the town lies in the north-west of Gran Canaria, away from the major tourist centres. Communication in English is only possible in a few places, whilst German remains the exception. A basic knowledge of Spanish or a translation app will make ordering easier.
Do you need to book in advance at bars in Gáldar?
You do not need to book at the six bars in Gáldar; they rely on walk-in customers from the local community. However, at weekends and on festival days around the Iglesia de Santiago de los Caballeros, the bars can get quite crowded. Larger groups should enquire in advance by telephone.
What vegetarian options do bars in Gáldar offer?
The six bars in Gáldar serve classic Canary Islands tapas, including papas arrugadas with mojo, fried pimientos de Padrón, as well as tortilla and local cheese. The meat-free selection is usually limited to these side dishes; a dedicated vegetarian menu is rarely available. Strict vegetarians should ask about the ingredients in the mojo sauces.
Opening hours and other details are subject to change; please check before visiting.
All restaurant profiles for the Canary Islands can be found at www.Kanaren-Kleinanzeigen.com.