← All restaurants in Santa Cruz De Tenerife
As of August 2026 (updated regularly)
Etéreo by Pedro Nel has garnered 2,416 reviews in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and boasts a 4.8-star rating – a score that few other restaurants in the island’s major cities can match. The capital of Tenerife is home to 58 restaurants, more than the entire south of the island can boast. Young chefs here work with fish from the Atlantic and papas arrugadas with mojo. La Jama tops the list with 4.9 stars. Anyone looking for the 12 best restaurants in Santa Cruz de Tenerife will discover a city with its own distinctive culinary identity, situated between the harbour and the market.
Food capital: What visitors should know
Lunch in Santa Cruz runs from 2 pm to 4 pm, when local eateries fill up and offer the ‚menú del día‘ for between 10 and 14 euros, with three courses including a drink. In the evening, kitchens do not properly open until around 9 pm. Menus in places such as Tasca Bodega Cándido are often only in Spanish. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, but it’s still a good idea to have some cash to hand in small tapas bars. The Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África supplies fresh fish, local vegetables and tropical fruits to the city’s kitchens.
Tips for your visit
Antojitos Cocina, GastroTasca De Pincho en Pincho and D’Tapas,26 – with its 956 reviews – are all tucked away in the alleyways of the old town. D’Tapas,26 boasts 4.6 stars and is one of the most popular spots in the city centre. Fresh fish from the Atlantic features in many of these kitchens, served with papas arrugadas and mojo. Restaurante Lebeche has 937 reviews and a 4.7-star rating.
Nine bars are mostly situated in the alleyways behind the Plaza de España. Focacceria MassaMonti and Pulcinella Restaurante bring an Italian flavour to the city centre. Eight cafés are scattered across the city, some within sight of the harbour, including D’Panas Coffee Bar with 726 reviews. During the Santa Cruz Carnival, one of the world’s biggest carnival celebrations, the tables remain full well into the night.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are restaurants in Santa Cruz de Tenerife open?
The 58 restaurants in Santa Cruz de Tenerife open at around 1 pm for lunch and from around 8 pm in the evening; many take a break in the afternoon. At the weekend, many restaurants stay open later. During the carnival, opening hours are significantly extended, and tables fill up in the evening until late into the night.
What’s the best way to get to the restaurants in Santa Cruz de Tenerife?
The city centre of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is easy to explore on foot; many restaurants are situated around the Plaza de España and Calle del Castillo. Tram line 1 connects the capital with La Laguna. There are also several TITSA bus routes, as well as car parks near the harbour on the north-east coast of the island.
Are there any restaurants in Santa Cruz de Tenerife with outdoor terraces or sea views?
Several of the 58 restaurants have outdoor terraces, particularly along Avenida de Anaga by the harbour and in the central squares overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Restaurants near the harbour serve fresh fish and Canary Islands dishes such as papas arrugadas with mojo, whilst offering views of the sea and the ships moored there.