Eating Out in Lanzarote
There are thousands of restaurants in Lanzarote for visitors to choose from. But just as elsewhere these vary in quality, making it difficult for anyone who has just landed to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Restaurant Types
For a small island Lanzarote is surprisingly multicultural. Attracting guests from all over the world. And as result the types of cuisine on offer reflect this diversity.
In the main resorts tourists can therefore expect to encounter Chinese, Indian, Mexican and Italian restaurants. As well as more traditional Spanish eateries, tapas bars and upscale restaurants serving modern international food.
Canarian Cuisine
Many first time visitors to Lanzarote could be forgiven for thinking that the national dishes of the island might comprise seafood. However, Coñejeros generally consume more meat than fish. A possible cultural hangover from the pre-Spanish Guanche inhabitants of the island who were, apparently, poor fishermen and who therefore favoured meats such as goat and rabbit. Both of which still crop up regularly on menus.
Standard fare in a typical Canarian restaurant features starters such as goat’s cheese, often grilled with mojos or sauce accompaniments. And the ever popular Gambas al ajillo – a hot dish of prawns served in oil heavily jacked with garlic and chilli – great for dunking bread into.
Main courses usually comprise fish or meat – usually simply cooked or grilled and served with the Canarian speciality of papas arrugadas, or wrinkled potatoes – essentially potatoes boiled in salt water. Creating a salty glaze.
Resort Restaurants
Lanzarote´s main resorts of Puerto del Carmen, Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise have the highest concentration of restaurants on the island.
The best selection of restuarants in Puerto del Carmen, the islands most popular resort, can be found in and around the Old Town harbour area. Which provides an atmosphere backdrop for popular establishments such as Casa Roja, Bahia and many more. A further concentration can be found along the main Avenida de las Playas – the 6km long beachfront strip which runs from one end of the resort to the other. But quality here can be more variable.
Special Occasions & Fine Dining
There are a number of more upscale restaurants catering to those who like to push the boat out little when on holiday. For atmosphere and ambience it’s hard to beat LagOmar – the former home of Hollywood film star Omar Sharif. Which was built for the actor by the island born artist and architect Cesar Manrique.
Local legend has it that soon after taking possession of his new home – built into the side of a disused quarry in Nazaret – which Sharfi gambled it and lost it in a high stake game of bridge. And left the island in a fit of pique – never to return.
Today, LagOmar serves up beautifully presented, if pricey dishes, to a clientele of locals and tourists.
