Some of Tenerife’s best traditional food comes from places that don’t need a huge menu. Guachinche Las Galanas in Los Realejos is a good example, with just a handful of homemade dishes, traditional Canarian cooking and wine produced by the establishment itself.
The guachinche has started welcoming customers for the new season, and food creators @guachinchesmodernos recently paid a visit. They were impressed by the simple approach, the traditional surroundings and, naturally, the wine.
“Authentic guachinches are starting to open again,” they commented.
A small menu, cooked the traditional way
There’s no enormous menu to work through here. According to the visiting foodies, the choice is limited to around five or six dishes.
They started with chicharros, a local fish that Joana likes to eat with a little oil and vinegar.
Next came tuna with mojo, which they praised for its slightly spicy kick. They also ordered octopus, describing it as beautifully white and very tasty.
One useful detail is that you can order half portions or full portions, so you don’t have to commit to a plate the size of a small table.
Wine made on the premises
As you’d expect from a traditional guachinche, the wine is a big part of the attraction. Las Galanas serves its own white and red wine, made from its own harvest.
There’s also a story behind the name. The owners explain that their grandfather was nicknamed Antonio el Galano, apparently because he was an old romantic. The name stuck, and the guachinche carries on the tradition.
Where to find Guachinche Las Galanas
You’ll find it at Carretera de La Montaña, 48, Los Realejos, in the north of Tenerife.
It currently has a 4.5-star Google rating, with its homemade dishes and traditional approach helping to attract visitors.
Opening hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 11am to 2:30pm and 6pm to 9:30pm
- Friday: 11am to 3:30pm and 6:30pm to 10pm
- Saturday: 11:30am to 4pm
- Sunday and Monday: Closed
If you’re after a traditional Tenerife meal with home-produced wine and no fuss, Las Galanas sounds worth adding to the list. Just don’t expect a menu running to several pages. That’s rather the point.