← All restaurants in Puerto De La Cruz
As of: October 2026 (updated regularly)
Puerto de la Cruz is regarded as the tapas capital of northern Tenerife. The town’s twelve most notable tapas bars share a characteristic that sets them apart from the tourist cuisine found in the south: locals and visitors mingle in the same space. The old town district of La Ranilla serves as the hub of the local bar scene, where authentic tapas culture and traditional Canary Islands cuisine are concentrated within a labyrinth of cobbled streets.
La Ranilla: Where tapas culture lives on
Anyone wishing to dine like the locals will find La Ranilla the perfect spot, particularly in the early evening, when office workers flock to their favourite bars. The ‚menú del día‘ offers good-value lunches, which rarely exceed twelve euros at established restaurants. As the day progresses, prices rise and the selection of individual tapas expands. Many traditional establishments prefer to accept cash and present menus in Spanish, so a basic knowledge of the language is helpful.
Tips for your visit
Tapas bars are clustered around the Plaza del Charco, close to the old fishermen’s quarter. Dishes such as papas arrugadas with mojo, grilled octopus and fried anchovies originate from the harbour’s abundance of fish. A total of 59 bars are scattered throughout the historic old town, stretching down to the coastal promenade. In the narrow alleyways, guests often stand at high tables in front of the bar counters.
Dotted amongst the bars are 70 cafés serving ‚barraquito‘ with condensed milk and 43 liqueur. The vineyards of the Orotava Valley provide the wines of the Canary Islands to accompany the small dishes. The culinary richness is evident in the 111 restaurants, many of which specialise in regional cuisine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetarian options do tapas bars in Puerto de la Cruz offer?
Vegetarian classics such as papas arrugadas with mojo, pimientos de Padrón, fried mushrooms and various cheese dishes are standard fare at tapas bars in Puerto de la Cruz. Thanks to the fertile Orotava Valley, you’ll also find vegetable dishes made with locally grown produce. Around the Plaza del Charco, several bars specialise in Canary Islands produce such as bananas and local vegetables.
When is the best time to visit the tapas bars in Puerto de la Cruz?
The tapas bars in Puerto de la Cruz are particularly worth a visit in the early evening, when the Plaza del Charco and the old fishing quarter fill up. For fresh fish dishes in the tradition of the old harbour, a visit after the catch in the late afternoon is recommended. At the weekend, the historic old town offers the widest selection of open bars and restaurants.
When are the tapas bars in Puerto de la Cruz open?
Many of the 59 bars in Puerto de la Cruz open in the late morning and stay open into the evening, often with a break in the afternoon. Around the Plaza del Charco and in the fishermen’s quarter, quite a few bars extend their opening hours into the night. The exact times vary depending on the establishment and the season, so it’s advisable to check the notices on site.