Papas arrugadas con mojo, gofio, fish; the island’s cuisine stands out for its simplicity and for its unconditional commitment to local produce, while embracing external influences. If you would like to sample it and you’re trying to decide where to eat in Lanzarote, read on for a list of essential restaurants on the volcanic island.

In the footsteps of César Manrique

Among the best restaurants in Lanzarote are four that have a very close connection with the island’s most famous artist, César Manrique, as they are housed in some of his most celebrated works. Therefore, art and food enthusiasts will have double the reason to get excited in these four establishments:

  • Balagué (Calle de los Loros, 2. Tel. 928 845 665). Situated on the site of Lagomar is a multifunctional space that was the home of the Egyptian actor Omar Sharif for a very short period and now houses a museum, restaurant and bar. The great appeal of this complex lies in the fact that it is built into a volcanic rock quarry, creating a unique space that is the handiwork of man and nature. Restaurante Balagué is perfect for a romantic dinner, either on its charming terrace alongside the lake—the centrepiece of the whole complex—or in its attractive dining room set over two floors. If you go for indoors, don’t worry about missing out on the views, as its 11 tables offer a delightful perspective of the house and gardens through large windows. Aside from the magnificent setting, the kitchen serves Mediterranean and international dishes with Canarian touches. We especially recommend sampling the croquettes made from plantain and chorizo de chacón or the salad made with queso fresco de Teguise (a type of cheese), tomato jam and nuts. The dessert menu is also awash with interesting desserts such as ravioli made from local pineapple.
  • El Diablo (Carretera general Yaiza – Tinajo, s/n. Tel. 928 840 056). Having lunch at this restaurant designed by César Manrique is a fantastic way to round off a visit to Timanfaya National Park. The one-storey building boasts large windows for contemplating the incredible surrounding landscape. What’s more, the kitchen has an oven that uses heat from the ground, which reaches temperatures of 300ºC just ten metres below the restaurant.
  • Los Jameos del Agua (Calle de Jameos del Agua, s/n. Tel. 928 848 020). Once again this restaurant is located in an extraordinary natural setting, nothing more and nothing less than the inside of a cave created by the volcanic eruption of La Corona. There, in the heart of the Los Jameos del Agua, we can sample contemporary dishes, such as rabbit in a thick tomato sauce cooked over a low heat or grilled octopus in mojo verde, the classic green salsa of the Canary Islands.
  • Monumento al Campesino (Carretera Arrecife – Tinajo. Tel. 928 520 136). The site that makes up the Monument to the Farm Worker and the Fertility sculpture is also home to a restaurant, where you can try traditional dishes from the Canary Islands, such as Canarian black pig or goat casserole.

A mandatory stop in Teguise

Occupying a prime frontline beach location on Teguise’s promenade, Champs Sports Bar is a casual eatery with a relaxed atmosphere that overlooks the sweeping sands of Playa de las Cucharas. It is perfect for rounding off a lazy beach day with a cold beer and some tasty Tex-Mex food while watching your favourite sport on the bar’s enormous screen. The list of beers is impressive, including brands from all over the world, but you may prefer an expertly prepared cocktail to add a bit of pzazz to your evening. A friendly game of pool or some live music will make for the perfect end to a blissful day. The bar is open seven days a week with live entertainment daily.

For a more sophisticated twist to your evening, raise a glass in B-Lounge. Like Champs Sports Bar, B-Lounge is located in the Barceló Teguise Beach, an adults-only hotel with excellent facilities. Prepare yourself to be amazed by the wide range of bars and restaurants in Lanzarote. You won’t be disappointed.

El Golfo, a tiny village with fish to die for

Another option for eating in Lanzarote is to visit this small village located next to the Los Clicos lagoon where you will no doubt be taken aback by the sheer amount of restaurants that are concentrated in a stretch of just a few metres. We recommend the following:

  • Casa Torano (Avenida Marítima, 31. Tel. 928 173 058). Much like the majority of eating establishments in El Golfo, Casa Torano is a trusty local restaurant. It is, in essence, a simple eatery, in which you can enjoy generous servings of fish. Among its specialities are limpets (a type of sea snail), grouper croquettes or steamed clams. It also offers a choice of meat and rice dishes, one of the latter that is particularly of note being the arroz de burgaos, a rice dish made with small molluscs that are very common in the Canary Islands.
  • Mar Azul (Calle Mayor, 42. Tel. 928 173 132). Similar to the previous restaurant with the addition of a terrace, on which you can enjoy some delicious fish while looking out over the Atlantic Sea. Limpets, sardines and grilled octopus are some of its best dishes.
  • Casa Rafa (Avenida Marítima, 10. Tel. 625 104 330). In addition to a varied fish menu, Casa Rafa is considered one of the best restaurants in Lanzarote for its rice. Therefore, if you’re looking for a good place to enjoy a paella in front of the sea, this is the place for you.

Arrecife: Where to eat in the capital of Lanzarote?

Last but not least are two innovative options situated in the capital of Lanzarote:

  • Lilium (Avenida Olof Palme, no number. 928 524 978). This restaurant run by the chef Orlando Ortega used to be based in the town of Tías and on Calle José Antonio in Arrecife. Today it is located in the modern shopping centre Marina Lanzarote and is one of the leading examples of cutting-edge Canarian cuisine. Ortega has always championed the roots of the local cuisine, albeit with a modern touch. Sure enough, his dishes are recognisable for their use of local produce, such as chorizo de chacón and Canary bananas, the fruit used to make the restaurant’s delicious croquettes. Everything is washed down with a varied selection of local wines with stunning views of the modern port of Arrecife.
  • Naia (Avenida César Manrique, 33. Tel. 928 805 797). Another option right in the centre of Arrecife is the restaurant of the Basque chef Mikel Otaegui. On the menu are interesting dishes such as micuit foie gras, crema catalana style, or Saharan squid on a bed of potato puree. What’s more, the restaurant pays attention to every detail, from the elegant presentation of its dishes, to its interior, designed by the MT Architecture and Design Studio.

We hope that this selection of the best restaurants in Lanzarote helps you make the most out of the island’s cuisine, as, without a doubt, one of the greatest pleasures of travelling is enjoying new and interesting flavours.