There are many places in Spain where tourists can try local snacks – tapas. Such places are known to those who have already received a visa from the Spanish consulate and visited the country. Unfortunately, the Canary Islands are not one of these places. However, in Tenerife you can find ways to enjoy traditional Spanish tapas.
Tenerife is especially famous in this regard. In recent years, special tapas routes have been created here – rutas de la tapa. By following them, tourists can try many varieties of local snacks. Those who have already visited such a route note that tapas in Tenerife are not inferior to snacks from Granada and Seville, which is considered the unofficial capital of this dish.
Unfortunately, inexperienced tourists often do not know about the existence of such routes in Tenerife. They are not widely advertised, and finding information about them can be difficult. You should not look for them on the popular Costa Adeje coast. It is better to go to those places where the majority of the population is locals. This is where you can try real traditional Spanish tapas.
The capital’s gastronomic route is aimed at attracting tourists and does not take place every month. Information about it begins to spread just a few days before the event. Travelers familiar with the country advise paying attention to the announcements of bar and cafe owners, as well as collecting tourist brochures. The local tourist office can also provide the necessary information and issue a tapas route passport.
The route includes bars and restaurants offering the most creative and original snacks. The number of participants in the route can reach 20-30. Guests should be prepared for the fact that the snacks are small in size, but the selection is large. The tasting is always accompanied by wine or beer, since tapas are snacks eaten with alcohol.
The tapas passport lists the bars and restaurants participating in the route, their locations, and information about what tapas they specialize in. Each visit is noted in the passport. If the participant visits at least 10 establishments, he or she is eligible to vote for the best tapa and becomes a participant in the lottery.
In some parts of the island, the routes may be themed around sweet potatoes, cheese, bananas or honey. The snack options are endless, from cheese and sweet potatoes to curried meatballs with fruit to caramelised pork and dishes with palm honey.
Tenerife runs several tapas routes throughout the year, so the chances are good that one will be running when you visit the island. However, even if you are unlucky, there are plenty of bars and restaurants that always offer tapas. If you want to try them, the best places to go are Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz or La Laguna. And who knows, maybe you will create your own tapas route!
