Out and about

There are hundreds of good restaurants in the area

We have chosen a few which we consider special!

In all cases the prices are higher than the average for the area, but the meal will cost you less than a comparable standard in the UK

But do visit others and if they are good, please leave their card in the box file provided for the benefit of future guests.

Guests with religious dietary considerations should take care as many deep water fish and salad dishes come with sea food garnish, some vegetable soups have a meat or chicken stock – just explain patiently what you are not permitted to eat and you will find the staff very helpful.

To accompany your meal

One of the most popular local sauces is “Mojo” which is a garlic sauce which comes in several varieties. The most popular types are Mojo Rojo, a spicy dressing laden with chilli and smothered on potatoes and meat, and the milder Mojo Verdi made with parsley and eaten with fish.

Do try Canarian potatoes (wrinkled and cooked in salt) very tasty!

The local beers San Miguel and Dorada are very good

So are the local wines – for something red above average choose Sangre de Toro or El Coto and for really good taste bud experience Faustina V

PUERTO SANTIAGO. Still retains some of its Old World canarian charm and sophistication. Every July the village has one of the most spectacular firework displays on the island, as part of the areas main fiesta week

Opposite the Balcon (upper level)

El Meson - Canarian restaurant with large Menu 922 860 476

If you’re too lazy to cook breakfast there are 2 good places on the RH side in Villiga Park shops

Go down Calle Los Angeles turn right by the freezer centre and you have 3 restaurants to choose from, all good quality food at very reasonable prices.

Fettuccini Inn is a local Spanish family run restaurant with excellent pizza and lots of nice dishes – reasonably priced and popular with locals and Brits Tel: 922 861 668

Mexican restaurant – good for steaks

Chicken Shack good for – yes you’ve guessed it!

Opposite the Balcon (lower level)

El Timon is a canarian restaurant on the left hand side of the Barcello hotel with a nice terrace with sea views (good for lunch or dinner) 619 187 510

El Barco de Nino is beside El Timon with a superb terrace - food is pricy by canarian standards but very good.

El Pescador 2 – opposite the Barceló hotel is good for fish. 922 861 541

Walk down the side of the Barceló hotel and you will find La Pergola - excellent terrace for lunch or dinner (you can have just a drink or a full meal) 922 860 347

Take the coastal path from below the Barceló hotel – turn left and walk towards the fishing village – as you walk round the small beach you will see the terrace of the Fishermans Inn run by Carlos & Roy – book a table on the terrace 922 861 627.

If you keep walking past the restaurant you will eventually come to Playa Arena.

If you have a car – then drive up to the San Francisco Tennis and Sports club and try the Azafran restaurant 922 860677 – sizzling steaks and nice Mediterranean style menu – good for lunch or dinner (see their card in our file for a map)

Just 10 mins drive on the main road past San Francisco is Maxims, a new French restaurant 922 862 415

LOS GIGANTES is a relatively quiet and sophisticated resort with a little beach of black volcanic sand is cosseted by giant cliffs and the clear water is excellent for snorkelling.

There is a 15 minutes panoramic coastal walkway to Los Gigantes. It starts opposite our Door 3 street entrance to La Balcon and is sign posted to crab island and town centre. Keep turning right until you come to the pathway at the back of the tennis courts and mini golf. If you feel lazy take a taxi back from the rank in front of the Los Gigantes hotel. Price list for all taxi fares can be picked up from the cab office by the rank.

Juan Carlos is a smart restaurant of international standard and is in a small alleyway, called Pasaje de Jacaranda, to the Right hand side of the Asturius restaurant in the main square Tel: 922 86 80 40

Bella Napoli is a very good pizzeria at the end of the Marina Tel: 922 861 134

Mistinguette is an excellent European style restaurant run by Clive and Jackie for many years – it is in the side alley to the RH side of the Green Corner Pub .Tel: 922 86 07 57

Miranda’s is run by Nino and family and is located up the hill from the Los Gigantes hotel. It has a wide menu and is known for their sizzling steaks. Stay away from the vegetarian options - they are not good! Tel: 922 86 02 07

Asturius is a popular priced restaurant opposite the church in the main square. Good for snacks. Book a table there for public Fiesta nights as the square is the focal point for all the Fiestas

The Marina. There are several restaurants, bars and a large Pizzeria down by the Marina. This is also where you can catch a boat to go whale watching etc.

PLAYA ARENA is located within 15 minutes walk of the Balcon. It has a black sand beach and has won the European Blue Flag Award for cleanliness. If you have a car, there is ample free parking on top of the beach Lifeguards are on duty during the day. The Tourist office with English speaking staff is situated right opposite the beach.

Juan Lanas is a Dutch owned restaurant on the Av. Maritime (opposite the large perfumerie, offering superb food at very reasonable prices and their set dinner menu at around 15 Euro is excellent value. Book ahead as they get very busy!Tel: 922 86 76 58

Salzburg restaurant is opposite the black beach and beside the usual Austrian dishes has hot strudel with eggnog sauce to die for!

Sienna 2 is the beach restaurant, ok for simple lunches and you can use the toilets if you smile nicely!

LA CALETA

If you are driving yourself back to the airport at the end of your holiday stop off at this charming fishing village for lunch at La Masia Del Mar. upper level is the main terrace restaurant with fish to die for and the lower level also has pizza dishes. Both levels overlook the sea but the upper level is better. Tel: 38775342 (airport is 20mins drive from the restaurant)

MOUNT TEIDI is a dormant volcano and at 3,718 metres is the highest point in Spain. There is a cable car to take you to the summit (check before you leave that the cable car is open, it closes in windy weather and if you go take a coat – there’s snow up there all year!

LA GAMERA is an unspoilt island that can be reached by regular boat service from Los Gigantes or Los Cristianos.

MASCA. A trek or drive through the Masca Valley to the hill top village is a must for the fit! Visit during the day, the road is a little too narrow for night driving unless you’re used to it! (There is a restaurant in the village