Guachinches Tenerife

21 Best Guachinches in Tenerife 2026

updated: November 8, 2026

Note: For this list we have selected 21 guachinches and restaurants in Tenerife based on searches on this site, Google searches and the number of reviews on Google Maps.

They are not sponsored, nor are they a list of our favourites. We chose this method because we believe it comes closest to reality: if many people search for a place and many review it, it must be popular.

This list shows only 21 of the nearly 400 guachinches and Canarian restaurants listed in this directory (and there are more to add), but we encourage you to discover others, as some are new or less heavily promoted on social media (these tend to be the authentic ones).

You can recognise authentic guachinches by the distinctive plaque with a V on the door or on the profile page of this website.

There are few of them left, which is why we also include Canarian food restaurants and so-called ‘guachinches’ that don’t have the distinctive plaque but keep the spirit of the real thing.

Guachinches Near...

Guachinches in Tenerife open today

If you’re a food lover looking for a unique experience in Tenerife, you can’t miss visiting the guachinches, authentic culinary temples where you can try typical Canarian dishes and the owners’ own local wines.

Guachinches are traditional island taverns that began as a way for local farmers to sell their products and homemade wine. Today, they are a true institution in Tenerife, and tourists who visit them are fascinated by their authentic and welcoming atmosphere.

Most guachinches are located in the north of the island, especially in La Orotava and La Matanza de Acentejo. However, not all of them are open every day of the year, so it’s important to check which ones are open today before visiting.

If you’re looking for guachinches in Tenerife open today, we recommend trying the following municipalities in Tenerife:

Cheap Guachinches in Tenerife: Savour Authentic Canarian Cuisine without Spending a Fortune

If you’re looking for an affordable way to try authentic Canarian cuisine in Tenerife, you can’t miss visiting cheap guachinches, where you can enjoy delicious homemade dishes and high-quality local wines without spending too much.

Most of the cheap guachinches in Tenerife are located in the northern part of the island and in La Laguna. Some of the most notable and affordable guachinches are:

• Guachinche El Fogón:

  This establishment offers multiple advantages that make it an excellent choice for customers. First of all, its location near Tenerife North Airport makes it an ideal option for those looking for a quick stop before or after their flight. Additionally, it provides parking for its customers, which makes it very convenient and easy to reach.

  As for the food, this place stands out for offering a delicious selection of homemade dishes at very affordable prices. Customers can enjoy tasty and budget-friendly meals in a cosy, friendly atmosphere. The staff are extremely kind and attentive, making the experience even more enjoyable.

  In summary, this establishment offers a convenient location, parking for customers, and an excellent selection of homemade food at affordable prices, along with exceptionally friendly and attentive customer service. What more could you ask for?

• Guachinche La Casona:

  La Casona is located on a rural estate in La Orotava, accessed through a narrow road that gives it an air of exclusivity and tranquillity. The restaurant has parking for its customers, making it very convenient and accessible.

  Additionally, its spacious dining area offers spectacular panoramic views, creating a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy a meal with friends or family. With numerous tables available, you won’t have any trouble finding a place to sit.

  In summary, La Casona is a restaurant that offers a peaceful location with beautiful views, along with ample parking and a large dining area, ensuring a pleasant and comfortable dining experience. Don’t hesitate to visit!

• Guachinche La Cueva de Casiano:

  This restaurant is located near Santa Cruz de Tenerife, although getting there requires a car. One of the drawbacks is the lack of parking space in the surrounding area. It’s also worth noting that the establishment is not very large, so it’s recommended to book in advance if you go at peak times or on busy days.

  The restaurant is named after a cave, and indeed, part of its structure is built within one. This detail gives the place an interesting and unique atmosphere.

  But without a doubt, the best thing about this restaurant is the quality of the service provided by its staff. The employees are kind and friendly, making the customer experience even more enjoyable.

  In conclusion, although this restaurant is located on the outskirts of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and requires a car to reach, it’s worth a visit. Besides the uniqueness of being partly built within a cave, it offers exceptional service and a memorable culinary experience.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for cheap guachinches in Tenerife, these establishments are an excellent option to enjoy authentic Canarian cuisine without spending too much. Visit them and savour the flavours of the island!

What Is a Guachinche?

If you’re on holiday in Tenerife or live here, you’ll know that for typical Canarian food you have to visit Tenerife’s guachinches.

But do you know what the word guachinche means and what a guachinche is?

A guachinche is a typical Canarian eatery whose hallmark is selling its own home-produced wine and traditional Canarian food. Until a few years ago, guachinches were usually private homes where wine was sold and meals were served, most of them located in the north of Tenerife.

Years ago, authentic guachinches were not regulated and had no restaurant licence because they were private homes that let people taste their own wine. Over time, Tenerife’s guachinches became famous for their homemade and typical Canarian food.

Many bars and restaurants started calling themselves guachinches to attract customers, which led to regulations reserving the name for those who make their own wine. Besides their own wine and traditional food, guachinches are known for their lack of elaborate decoration.

They are simple, unpretentious places, many of which resemble private homes, giving them authenticity and charm. However, over time, some modern or fusion guachinches have also appeared.

Typically, guachinches stay open for as long as their own wine lasts, but many remain open year-round by purchasing wine from other growers. They are particularly common in the north of Tenerife.

There Are Two Types of Guachinches

The concept of the guachinche has changed significantly throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries. There are not many traditional guachinches left. In other words, there was a before and an after.

• The first type is the traditional version, rooted in Tenerife’s culture, specifically that of the Canarian countryside.
• The second is what people call a modern or avant-garde guachinche, which has no specific connection to any particular place.

The culture of these establishments is not created by politicians, writers, or journalists — it’s created by winemakers and locals. It meets their need to sell their surplus, along with hearty dishes that once filled many hungry stomachs, such as escaldón, garbanzas, carne fiesta, ribs with potatoes and corn on the cob, rancho canario, tollos (dried dogfish), octopus and limpets with mojo verde, among others.

What Is a Traditional Guachinche Like?

The traditional guachinche of yesteryear was a small structure where humble winemakers stored their essential farming tools: wooden wine barrels and even the old, sturdy plough.

A dirt-floored room with almost no furniture was the setting where winemakers sold their wines, along with tomatoes seasoned with dried oregano and oil, fresh white goat’s cheese and chickpeas.

The traditional guachinche, was makeshift in character and look: a calendar from the 1960s, sayings, poetry and an image of the city’s first tram. Mismatched chairs and repurposed cable spools as tables transformed these places into makeshift dining rooms for locals.

Families of winemakers showcased their creativity by decorating the guachinches with objects that reflected their culture, providing an aesthetic appeal for visitors wanting to sit down and enjoy a glass of wine. No wall was complete without a local timple (a small Canarian guitar) and a guitar.

That’s how guachinches were in those days, a past that is now long gone. What is modern and avant-garde has little to do with the way things used to be.

Tenerife’s Rich History Is Tied to Wine, Land, and the Countryside

The climate here is always perfect, as are the people and the places. And then there are the guachinches, which serve the best food in Tenerife.

Today, government regulations require that wines be registered in the Agricultural Industry Registry and the Wine Packaging Registry. They must also meet minimum health requirements and aesthetic standards.

Some food places certainly use the word ‘guachinche’ as a ploy to signal that they are cheap. As well as being a marketing hook, it also lets them pay less tax and sell more.

There are many restaurants, especially in the north of Tenerife. There’s something for everyone — it all depends on the quality of food and wine you’re looking for.

It is known that a guachinche should only serve three dishes, but most don’t comply with this rule, and modern guachinches often have extensive menus.

For this reason, guachinches are becoming increasingly popular, even among people from other Canary Islands who travel to Tenerife for weeks to experience its wines and food. Many also take wine back to their own islands. It’s a joy to see so many shops selling Tenerife wine and foreign visitors tasting it!

What Does the Word ‘Guachinche’ Mean?

Although it is difficult to explain the exact definition of ‘guachinche’, I’ll try: it’s a simple restaurant that serves traditional dishes and has limited seating.

I had thought that the word ‘guachinche’ might somehow be related to the Guanches, the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands and an indigenous culture. A better explanation might be the one found on Wikipedia: Guachinche Wikipedia.

Wary and eager for the best local products, English merchants would warn the locals: ‘I’m watching you!’ To local ears this sounded like ‘Hay un guachinche’ (‘There’s a guachinche’).

This explanation may be an exaggeration. In any case, for today’s visitors to Tenerife, the word ‘guachinche’ should be understood as shorthand for ‘excellent, affordable local cooking’.

Where Is the Word ‘Guachinche’ Used?

The word ‘bochinche’ and its variant ‘guachinche’ refer to a quiet place where you can buy traditional Canarian food and wine.

According to the dictionary, the word comes from western peninsular or American Spanish buche (derived from bochinche), which means ‘poor tavern’.

This is widely known. Etymologically, the word ‘bochinche’ originates from clever wordplay. It’s no surprise, then, to see the word written in its familiar form throughout generations.

History of the Guachinches

Guachinches began to emerge when many farmers wanted to sell their homegrown wine without middlemen by holding ‘tenderetes’ (informal get-togethers with food, wine and music) on their premises or in their living rooms.

They invited people from the village and their neighbours, cooked a typical Canarian dish, served their own wine, and the ‘tenderete’ was under way.

Musicians with traditional Canarian instruments would also join, and there was a dance, which was the place to be if you were looking for a partner.

The word ‘guachinche’ is said to come from the English expression ‘I’m watching you!’

The English would say ‘I’m watching you!’ to the Canarians to let them know they wanted to taste and buy wine, and the Canarians heard ‘¿Hay un guachinche?’ (‘Is there a guachinche?’).

It’s also said that the word guachinche comes from bochinche, a synonym for uproar, which is still used today in Gran Canaria.

How Do You Find a Guachinche?

When you’re a tourist on holiday in Tenerife, it can be tricky to find the best guachinches. To save you from searching “guachinches near me” online, we’ve created this guide featuring guachinches and restaurants in Tenerife, sorted by category and municipality.

If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry! At Guachinches Tenerife, we provide a guide with all the guachinches, updated daily!

In the north of Tenerife, they are everywhere, and you won’t have any trouble finding them. They are usually concentrated in areas with high wine production.

However, these days you can find them all over the island, even in South Tenerife and the Metropolitan Area of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Discover Tenerife’s Hidden Gems

If you’re looking to uncover the best-kept secrets of Tenerife, don’t miss out on the hidden places found in the south of the island. These secret spots offer a unique and authentic experience that you won’t find anywhere else on the island.

From small mountain villages to cosy hidden coves, there’s a world of wonders to explore in Tenerife’s hidden gems. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll love discovering the lush mountains and winding trails scattered across the island’s hidden corners.

But Tenerife’s hidden gems aren’t just for adventure and nature enthusiasts. You’ll also find plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafés tucked away in the streets of the island, including the famous ‘guachinches’. These family-run restaurants offer an authentic gastronomic experience with local dishes and their own local wines.

For a truly unique experience in Tenerife, you can’t miss the hidden and secret spots in the south of the island. Discover their charm for yourself and immerse yourself in the local culture!

Looking for a Unique Party Experience in Tenerife?

If so, don’t miss the chance to enjoy a boat party in the south of the island.

These parties are becoming increasingly popular in Tenerife, especially in the south, where you’ll find plenty of options to choose from. A boat party in southern Tenerife offers you the chance to enjoy the sun, sea breeze, and music in a fun, lively atmosphere.

Additionally, many of these boat parties include drinks and typical Canarian food, allowing you to enjoy a full day of carefree fun.

If you prefer partying on land, there are also plenty of options in southern Tenerife. You’ll find a variety of bars and clubs in tourist areas like Playa de las Américas or Los Cristianos, where you can enjoy live music and drinks at any time of the day or night.

Don’t miss the chance to experience the true nightlife of southern Tenerife. Come and have fun with a boat party or a night out on land!

Modern Guachinches of Tenerife

Guachinches are a vital part of Tenerife’s culinary culture. These traditional places usually serve their own wine and typical Canarian dishes at affordable prices. However, modern guachinches in Tenerife have evolved to meet the needs of today’s customers.

If you’re looking for guachinches nearby, don’t worry — there are plenty to choose from! And if you’re planning a special celebration, some guachinches even offer private event spaces.

Nowadays, modern guachinches provide a more refined dining experience while maintaining the charm and authenticity of traditional guachinches. You can enjoy a wide variety of local dishes, from grilled meats to fresh fish and salads.

In short, if you’re looking for a unique culinary experience in Tenerife, you can’t miss visiting the guachinches. From traditional establishments to more modern ones, there are options for all tastes and occasions. So, go ahead and discover authentic Canarian cuisine at a guachinche near you!

The 5 Best Guachinches in Tenerife

If you’re looking for the best guachinches in northern Tenerife, here’s a list of five you can’t miss. The best guachinche in Tenerife may be subjective, but these five are undoubtedly among the most recommended on the island.

1. Casa Pedro – The Best Guachinche in Northern Tenerife

If you’re in Los Realejos, you can’t skip Casa Pedro. This guachinche has earned over 130 five-star reviews, making it one of the best guachinches in Tenerife. Customers particularly recommend the sweet potato salad and the homemade almogrote (cheese spread).

2. Guachinche El Capitán – Another Must-Visit in Santa Úrsula

El Capitán is another of Tenerife’s top-rated guachinches, even though it doesn’t meet the minimum of 60 reviews we’ve set for this ranking. Nonetheless, it has plenty of positive feedback, especially for its goat meat, octopus, and desserts, as well as its excellent value for money.

3. Guachinche Romance – One of Tenerife’s Best

Located in La Orotava, El Romance is one of Tenerife’s best guachinches, according to over 260 TripAdvisor reviews, with an average rating of four and a half stars. It also has a terrace, which adds to its appeal. Highly recommended dishes include the ‘outrageously good croquettes’, the excellent meat and huevos a la estampida.

4. La Huerta de Ana y Eva – An Authentic Guachinche

Situated in La Matanza de Acentejo, La Huerta de Ana y Eva is an authentic guachinche that has won the hearts of TripAdvisor users. Highlights include the mushrooms with almogrote, queso asado (grilled cheese), goat meat and bichillo (pork tenderloin). Special mention goes to their ropa vieja.

5. El Talegazo – Grilled Meats and Homemade Wine

With a rating of over four stars, El Talegazo is another of Tenerife’s best guachinches, specialising in grilled meats. Its garbanzas (chickpea stew) and shredded-meat croquettes also stand out. Wine lovers should not miss its own wines, both the red and the fruity white.

In conclusion, if you want to enjoy the gastronomy and typical atmosphere of the island, you can’t miss the experience of visiting one of the best guachinches in Tenerife.

How Do You Say ‘Guachinche’?

This is a common question for visitors to Tenerife. Guachinches are typical Canarian places where you can enjoy homemade food, wine, and good company.

Their name may be confusing, and there are variants like guchinche, guschinche, or wachinche, its origin lies in the term “bochinche,” which means “noise” or “commotion” in Canarian Spanish.

Guachinches are a tradition in Tenerife, especially in the north, and every year, the Ruta de los Guachinches is celebrated to discover the island’s best ones.

So if you’re visiting Tenerife and want to experience something authentic, don’t hesitate to go guachincheando to discover the flavours and customs of the Canary Islands.

What Do You Eat at a Guachinche?

At the most traditional guachinches you can enjoy authentic Canarian food. It’s a good idea to ask for the house speciality or try small portions of each dish.

The most typical dishes of the Canary Islands are:

More about Canarian cuisine

Frequently Asked Questions about Guachinches

What are Tenerife’s guachinches?

What do you eat at a guachinche?

Where are the guachinches in Tenerife?

What do you drink at a guachinche?

Is there music at Tenerife’s guachinches?

What does the V on guachinches mean?

The ‘V’ on guachinches refers to the traditional ‘Vendimia’ (grape harvest) festival in Tenerife, which is a popular celebration during the grape harvest season. During this time, guachinches are places where people gather to celebrate and enjoy food, wine, and music.

At guachinches during the Vendimia you can find a wide variety of dishes typical of the season, such as grilled meats, stews, and fresh fish, as well as freshly made wines and beers. It’s also common to find live music, traditional dances, and games.

The Vendimia is an important tradition in Tenerife, and guachinches are a key part of it, offering a unique and authentic experience for visitors.

Do you need to book to go to a guachinche in Tenerife?