Before you choose
What you need to know about this experience
A food tour in Tenerife is a guided tasting route of Canarian produce: goat’s cheese, gofio, bananas, mojos, honey, tropical fruit and wine, visiting markets, producers or restaurants. It can be an urban walk of a few hours or a full-day rural excursion.
What sets it apart from a wine tasting or a guachinche route is its variety: the aim is to get to know the island’s larder. This page helps you choose a format and know what to check.
At a glance
| Aspect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| What it is | Guided tasting route of Canarian produce |
| Formats | Urban (market and tapas) or rural (producers and a meal) |
| Duration | A few hours on an urban route; 7–8 hours on some rural routes |
| Common products | Goat’s cheese, gofio, bananas, mojo, almogrote, honey, fruit, wine |
| Frequent places | Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África (Santa Cruz), cheese dairies, banana plantations, mills, wineries |
| Transport | Included on rural routes; on foot on urban ones |
| Dietary needs | Give advance notice of allergies or restrictions |
| Price | Depends on the format, the duration and the meal included |
Two main formats
| Format | What it includes | Suits you if… |
|---|---|---|
| Urban route | A walk through Santa Cruz or La Laguna, the market and tastings in local venues | You have half a day and are staying near the capital |
| Rural route | Transport, visits to banana plantations, cheese dairies or gofio mills, and a Canarian meal | You want to see where what you taste is produced |
Which products you usually taste
- Goat’s cheese, fresh, semi-cured or cured, sometimes with a gofio or paprika rind.
- Gofio, a flour made from toasted cereals. Canarian gofio has protected geographical indication status.
- Plátano de Canarias, also with protected geographical indication status, and products made from it.
- Mojos, red and green, and almogrote.
- Tenerife honey, with protected designation of origin status.
- Tropical fruit grown on the island.
- Wine from Tenerife’s denominations of origin.
Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África
Known as La Recova, it is Santa Cruz’s best-known market. Its 1944 building combines colonial style with arcaded courtyards. Many urban routes start there to see and taste local produce. It opens in the mornings; check the current days and opening times before you go.
What happens
On an urban route:
1. Meeting at a point in the centre.
2. Market visit with tastings.
3. Stops at tapas bars or produce shops.
4. Explanation of Canarian cooking and culture.
On a rural route:
1. Pick-up in your area.
2. Visit to a banana plantation or farm.
3. Artisan cheese dairy with a tasting.
4. Gofio mill or local producer.
5. Canarian meal at a traditional restaurant.
6. Return.
Who it suits
- Food lovers who want to get to know local produce.
- Travellers curious about Canarian culture.
- Families with children, on routes with non-alcoholic tastings.
Who it may not suit, and what to weigh up
- Very restrictive diets: the food includes dairy, meat and gluten; let them know beforehand.
- Anyone mainly interested in wine: see the wine route.
- Anyone looking for home cooking in a rural setting: see the guachinche route.
How to choose well
- Urban or rural route?
- Which places and producers are visited?
- How many tastings, and what meal is included?
- Can the route be adapted for allergies or diets?
- Does it include wine or drinks?
- Transport and pick-up area?
- Group size and language?
What is usually included and what to check
| Item | Usual practice | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Guide | Included | Language |
| Tastings | Included | Number and type |
| Full meal | On rural routes | Menu and dietary needs |
| Transport | On rural routes | Area |
| Purchases from producers | Extra | — |
Safety and health
- Allergies and intolerances: tell them in writing when you ask for information.
- Alcohol: if there is wine, do not drive afterwards.
Price: what it depends on
We do not give a reference figure.
- Format and duration.
- Full meal or tastings only.
- Transport.
- Group or private.
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes.
- A light jacket if you are going to the north.
- Room in your suitcase for cheese, mojo or honey.
- An appetite.
Alternatives and how to compare them
| If you are looking for… | Best option |
|---|---|
| Home cooking with the grower’s own wine | Guachinche route |
| Wineries and tastings | Tenerife wine route |
| Cooking it yourself | Canarian mojo workshop |
| Wine tasting at your accommodation | Private Canarian wine tasting |
Frequently asked questions
What do you taste on a food tour in Tenerife?
Goat’s cheese, gofio, bananas, mojos, honey, tropical fruit and wine, depending on the route.
What is the difference between the urban and the rural route?
The urban route is on foot through markets and local venues; the rural one includes transport and visits to producers.
Is food included?
Rural routes usually include a full meal; urban ones, tastings.
Can they be adapted to dietary needs?
It depends on the provider. Give advance notice.
Can children come?
Yes, in general, with alcohol-free tastings.
Where is the Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África?
In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, near the centre.