Eating Out In Tenerife Restaurant

Eating out in Tenerife is a wonderful and enjoyable affair. The food and the traditional Canarian cuisine plays a major role, but the atmosphere in restaurants plays a larger part. When you step foot inside one though, you will find out that dining out can be an adventure to uncharted territory. Even diners from mainland Spain can be unsure of what to do as soon as they enter.

If you don’t want to appear like a headless chicken in a Tenerife restaurant you’re dining in, there are a few things you need to know. Bear in mind these can spell a difference between a enjoyable night out, or an awkward evening with the staff. With that said, be sure to take note of the following:

Oftentimes, There Are No Hostesses

When eating out, most people are used to being greeted at the door and guided by a smiling hostess to a table. In Tenerife though, most restaurants do not have a hostess: there will be no one meeting you at the door. What should you do? Well, instead of disappearing behind the door and running

To call a waiter over, simply look at his direction and wave.

To ask for another glass of whatever you’re drinking, make a backward to forward roll with your pointing finger.

Best Time to Eat

Hot food fresh off the stove is served at 12:00-1:30 to 3:30 for lunch service, and 8:00 PM onwards for dinner. However, bear in mind that restaurants serve delicious tapas, or snacks, during off hours, which can be as equally delicious. Remember, Tenerife has an outstanding tapas culture: try out the wrinkled potatoes served with mojos.

Tipping

The tipping culture in Tenerife is not as strong as in other countries. Some waiter even treat tips with a little surprise. You can definitely use a tip calculator (there’s an app for that), but at times, rounding off to the nearest euro is enough. Giving 10% tip for excellent service will make a waiter’s day, but a euro or two is always