Some places have a signature dish.
Tasca Los Pulpitos in Santa Cruz seems to have built half the menu around one ingredient.
Octopus.
And judging by the queue for their famous tortilla… they might be onto something.
Tucked away on Calle de la Rosa, this small family-run spot keeps things simple. No fancy presentation. No huge menu. Just proper homestyle food and generous portions.
Octopus Everywhere… and Nobody Complains
The menu revolves around octopus in various forms, including:
• Octopus croquettes
• Galician-style octopus
• Octopus vinaigrette
• Battered octopus
• Their well-known octopus tortilla
Alongside that you’ll also find Canarian staples such as:
• Sweet potato salad
• Crispy potatoes with mojo
• Fried Palmero cheese with three mojos
Portions come in half or full sizes, handy if you want to try a bit of everything without rolling home afterwards.
Most diners seem to spend around €10 to €20 per person.
The Tortilla That Needs Booking Ahead
The standout dish here is the octopus tortilla.
And yes… you need to reserve it.
Orders are taken at least a day in advance and apparently it’s become so popular they already take bookings for Christmas Eve.
The local food creators who visited described it as:
“The kind of tortilla you’d enter into a competition and win.”
Juicy, full of flavour and slightly spicy.
Not a bad reputation to have.
Slow Down a Bit
There’s a sign inside that says:
“Above all, remain calm.”
Which feels quite fitting.
Small dining room, terrace outside, family atmosphere… definitely not somewhere for a rushed lunch between emails.
Location and Opening Hours
Tasca Los Pulpitos
📍 Calle de la Rosa, 53, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Opening hours:
• Wednesday to Saturday: 12:30 to 16:30 and 19:30 to 23:00
• Sunday: Lunch service only
• Closed Monday and Tuesday
Google rating: 4.6 stars
One of those little Tenerife places where the food does the talking really.
And apparently the octopus talks quite a lot.