Despite some common misconceptions, the Canary Islands are not just full of ex-pat bars and restaurants selling all day breakfasts and roast dinners. Traditional Canarian food and Spanish tapas are plentiful and if you know where to look there are some hidden gems that offer a true taste of the Canaries.

There a few dishes that you will struggle to avoid on your holiday that draw upon the traditional Spanish, North African and Portuguese influences on Canarian food. Not only are all of these dishes delicious, they are also healthy, made with fresh, local ingredients. These include –

·         Mojo – This spicy sauce is made from peppers and chillies, with paprika and cumin, garlic and olive oil. It is best served with potatoes and fish.

·         Papas Arrugadas – These potatoes are often served with mojo and are baked in salt until wrinkly.

·         Gofio – This doughy mixture is made from ground maize and wheat and is often added to stews and soups, as well as sweet dishes and desserts.

Here are some of the best places in the Canaries to explore traditional dishes and tapas:

Ruta de Tapas - Lanzarote

The popular Ruta de Tapas in Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, opens on the 15^th December and is running until the 8^th January 2012. Thirteen restaurants are taking part in the incentive to get tourists to try out local tapas dishes around the popular resort in Lanzarote. Each restaurant is offering a tapas dish that they have chosen and a glass of wine or beer for just €2.50.

You can collect a participation card from the tourist office in Costa Teguise, which you get stamped at each restaurant. It is a fantastic way to try out some of the traditional Canarian dishes that you might not have tried otherwise. After you have visited all the restaurants (You don’t have to!) you can then vote for the restaurant you liked the best in order to be entered into a prize draw to win a holiday for two to Fuerteventura.

Timanfaya – Lanzarote

The restaurant ‘El Diablo’ located in the Timanfaya National Park offers authentic Canarian cuisine, cooked by the natural geothermal heat that escapes from the ground in this volcanic region.  The views from the restaurant are stunning, looking over the volcano and the surrounding grounds, designed by Cesar Manrique. The meat is grilled over a metal plate, warmed by the heat escaping from the ground.

El Molino Blanco – Tenerife (Adeje)

This traditional restaurant set in a beautiful windmill with a balcony looking over the gardens. They serve traditional Spanish seafood and tapas and have a huge wine cellar to provide the perfect accompaniment to your Canarian meal.

El Embrujo and La Lola – Tenerife (Adeje)

The El Embrujo Spanish restaurant boasts dishes from all over the country including Castilian, Andalucían and Galician dishes. The traditionally Spainish décor and large terrace create an authentic, relaxing atmosphere, with attentive staff and delicious food. La Lola is the tapas bar that you will find attached to the restaurant, which has a large selection of tapas dishes and wines, perfect for lunchtime, dinner or a snack in between.

La Fundacion (Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

This hidden gem which serves wonderful food over two storeys of a restored Canarian mansion, with a restaurant upstairs and the tasca bar downstairs. Here you will find the perfect wines to accompany the appealing Spanish dishes.