7 Reasons Tenerife Food and Wine Should Be on Your Travel Radar

Tenerife’s gastronomy is a rich mix of volcanic flavors, fresh local produce, and traditional winemaking practices. From natural wineries to locally sourced products, exploring the island's food and wine scene is a journey through Tenerife’s culinary heritage. Here’s your guide to the best wineries, local flavors, and produce on the island.

1. Suertes del Marqués Cellar and Vineyards

Located in the lush Orotava Valley, Suertes del Marqués is one of Tenerife’s most celebrated wineries. Known for producing natural wines with minimal intervention, Suertes del Marqués uses traditional vine-growing methods that capture the unique volcanic terroir in every bottle.

A visit to the vineyard provides insight into Tenerife’s winemaking heritage and allows visitors to taste wines that truly reflect the island’s distinct climate and soil.

If you live in Europe, you can get their fantastic wines shipped to your doorstep by Sublime Wine.

2. Sortevera Vineyards

Sortevera is a small, artisanal vineyard also nestled in La Orotava. This family-run winery focuses on traditional winemaking techniques that honor Tenerife’s long-standing wine culture. Sortevera produces exceptional, minimal-intervention wines that emphasize Tenerife's unique flavors, thanks to the volcanic soil. A tasting tour at Sortevera immerses you in the traditions of Canarian viticulture and the dedication that goes into crafting these unique wines.

3. Vinoteca Con Pasión with Jacinto

In the heart of Santa Cruz, Vinoteca Con Pasión is a must-visit spot for wine lovers, owned by Jacinto, a passionate connoisseur of Tenerife’s wines. Jacinto has curated an impressive collection of local wines, including rare natural wines that showcase the island’s terroir. A reference point if you want to experience canary wine and its essence.

Alongside his wine selection, Jacinto also features locally sourced products that highlight Tenerife’s culinary offerings, such as cheese with gofio (a traditional toasted flour), Canarian olive oil, and fig coffee, a unique, earthy beverage made from roasted figs.

Jacinto’s enthusiasm for Tenerife’s food and wine culture is contagious. His knowledge and love for local flavors make every tasting session an enriching experience, allowing visitors to dive into the island’s culinary identity. Vinoteca Con Pasión also serves a range of traditional tapas, making it an ideal place to unwind with a glass of Tenerife’s finest wines paired with authentic local dishes.

4. Local Gastronomy in La Orotava

La Orotava, a historic town in northern Tenerife, offers a charming introduction to the island’s traditional cuisine. Known for its colonial architecture and cobbled streets, La Orotava is home to several family-owned restaurants serving dishes like papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes with mojo sauce), garbanzas (chickpea stew), and hearty potaje de verduras (vegetable stew). Many restaurants here cater to plant-based diets, offering vegan or vegetarian adaptations of Canarian classics. For more details on La Orotava and nearby activities, see our "What to Do in Tenerife" post.

We recommend you try the following restaurants for fantastic Canarian food: El Calderito de la Abuela (authentic food with a sea view) and Donde Mario.

5. Local Produce in Tenerife: Exotic Fruits and Vegetables

Tenerife’s fertile volcanic soil and year-round mild climate allow for a rich variety of fresh, exotic fruits, vegetables, and other locally produced items. Here are some of the unique products to try during your stay:

1. Bananas: Tenerife’s bananas are small, sweet, and packed with flavor due to the island’s rich soil. They’re perfect as a snack or in local desserts.
2. Papaya: This tropical fruit thrives in Tenerife’s climate, commonly enjoyed fresh or in smoothies.
3. Avocado: Known for its creamy texture, Tenerife’s avocados are a staple in local cuisine, featured in salads and traditional dishes.
4. Mangoes and Guava: Mangoes and guavas grown here are exceptionally sweet and juicy, often sold at local markets.
5. Pitaya (Dragon Fruit): With vibrant pink skin and speckled flesh, dragon fruit is not only delicious but also a visual treat.
6. Canarian Tomatoes, Peppers, and Zucchini: These vegetables are commonly grown and used in local stews, salads, and various dishes.

Fig Coffee: A caffeine-free alternative, fig coffee is made from roasted figs and has a mild, earthy flavor. It’s unique to Tenerife and a must-try for coffee enthusiasts.

To sample the freshest produce, visit one of Tenerife’s local markets, such as the Mercado Municipal de Puerto de la Cruz or Santa Cruz’s Nuestra Señora de África Market. These bustling markets showcase the island’s seasonal fruits, vegetables, and artisanal products, perfect for experiencing Tenerife’s culinary diversity while supporting local farmers.

6. Traditional Dishes to Try

Here are some classic Canarian dishes to look for, including plant-based options:

1. Patatas Arrugadas with Mojo: A quintessential Canarian dish, these salty “wrinkled” potatoes with red and green mojo sauces are vegan and a must-try.
2. Potaje de Verduras: A hearty vegetable stew that’s both nutritious and comforting. Many versions are vegetarian or can be made plant-based.
3. Garbanzas: This chickpea stew, flavored with local spices, is often available in a vegetarian version that’s packed with flavor.
4. Queso Asado with Mojo: Grilled Canarian cheese with a drizzle of mojo. Perfect for vegetarians wanting to taste Tenerife’s artisanal cheese.
5. Bienmesabe: A traditional dessert made from almonds, honey, and sugar, often served with ice cream. Some places offer vegan adaptations using plant-based ingredients. We have our version in Panama, where I am from, which is made with rice flour; I loved trying and understanding where did we inherited it from.

7. Tenerife Street Flavors: Local Snacks and Bites with a Twist

While Tenerife is celebrated for its wines and long, leisurely meals, its streets offer a different kind of culinary joy—quick, flavorful bites rooted in tradition and ideal for plant-based travelers. These aren’t your average snacks—they reflect the island’s volcanic terrain, cultural fusion, and deep respect for humble, local ingredients.

You can’t walk far without stumbling across papas arrugadas, the island’s signature “wrinkly potatoes” boiled in seawater and served with mojo sauces—green (cilantro or parsley-based) or red (paprika and pepper). Naturally vegan and packed with flavor, they’re a staple at both markets and home kitchens.

Another standout is gofio, a nutrient-rich, toasted grain flour with deep roots in the island’s Guanche heritage. Traditionally made from corn, wheat, or barley, and sometimes blended with legumes like chickpeas, gofio is naturally plant-based and incredibly versatile. You’ll find it sprinkled over fruit, stirred into soups, rolled into energy-dense balls, or offered as a dip with a twist of sea salt and olive oil. Its nutty, slightly sweet flavor and high fiber content make it both nourishing and uniquely Canarian.

Markets like La Laguna and Santa Cruz’s Mercado Nuestra Señora de África are excellent places to sample these veggie-friendly treats, alongside seasonal produce, pickled vegetables, or even grilled cactus fruit. These street-level flavors are as affordable as they are authentic—making them a must for curious, conscious eaters looking to taste Tenerife one bite at a time.

From Jacinto’s curated selection at Vinoteca Con Pasión to the natural wines at Tamerán and Suertes del Marqués, Tenerife’s wine and gastronomy scene is as diverse and compelling as its landscapes. For a complete Tenerife experience, check out the ultimate Tenerife travel guide post for more adventures across the island, and explore our Tenerife Beaches guide to unwind by the sea after a day of culinary exploration.