Food Prices in Tenerife in 2024 & Tips On What to Try
Curious about the latest food prices in Tenerife? I am sharing them just here below.
As a resident of Tenerife, I’m well-acquainted with the island’s dining scene and keep a close eye on food prices, which I update regularly.
In this guide, I share everything you need to know about eating on the island. From the latest food prices in 2024 to local culinary specialties, you’ll find insights on what to try, how much groceries and local fast food costs, and what to expect from Tenerife’s food in general.
In the end of the post, I also include a quick section with prices on accommodation, so you have a fuller picture and understand what to expect.
So find out answers to your questions below and if something is unclear, ask me in the comment section or send a message!
What to Know About Tenerife Food
First and foremost, I want to highlight that the food in Tenerife is incredibly delicious, whether you’re dining in cafes or buying it in supermarkets. It is also quite diverse.
The island’s cuisine consists of Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, and North African culinary touches and many dishes incorporate elements of fish, legumes, or meat.
Compared to Western Europe, food prices are much cheaper. When compared to Eastern Europe, prices are similar for some products while others are slightly higher or lower.
Since Tenerife is located in the middle of the ocean, it has a wide variety of seafood and fish. Although these are more expensive than premium beef and pork, they remain very reasonably priced overall.
Even those on a tight budget traveling to Tenerife can enjoy fresh seafood regularly. We indulge in shrimp, mussels, squid, and various types of fish here almost daily – something we don’t have a chance to do frequently in other parts of Europe.
Fruits and vegetables are generally a bit more expensive than on the mainland in Spain due to import and transportation costs. However, they remain affordable, and incorporating a variety of them into your diet is not an issue.
Food Prices in Tenerife Supermarkets in 2024
The situation with food prices in grocery stores on the island this year is as follows – many items are more expensive than on the mainland due to additional costs associated with transporting them.
Supermarkets like Mercadona and Puchita offer the best ratio of selection and low prices, but there are other stores (like Lidl, Makro, Dia, Carrefour, HiperDino) that have their own deals.
Since we like to shop in Mercadona, I am sharing food prices from this store. You can compare them to prices in HiperDino if you wish.
- Baguette (1 loaf 250g) — €0.50
- Milk, 1 liter — €0.65
- 1L of Fresh Gazpacho Soup – €2.85
- Pack of rice (1kg) – €1.25
- Olive oil (the cheapest starts from) – €7.40
- Eggs (large) 12 un – €2.65
- Milk 1L – €0.87-€1.25
- Butter Mercadona brand – €1.9
- Bacon (2 packs x 125g) – €2.2
- Hamon (100g depending on the brand) – €2.5-€3.5
- Chicken breast fillets (500g) – €4.7
- Pork loin chops (500g) – €3.55
- Pork sirloin (500g) – €4
- Raw turkey sausages (500g) – €2.9
- Seedless grapes (750g pack) – €3
- Red apples (1kg) – €2.2
- Frozen cooked jumbo shrimp (1kg) – €10.95
- Raw mussels (1kg) – €4.5
- San Miguel Beer (1 can) – €0.72
- Sangria 1.5L — €1.4
- Red wine 0.75 L — €2.45-€14.95
Unique Foodie’s Experiences to Have While in Tenerife
Food Prices in Tenerife Cafes & Restaurants
First thing to know is that going to eat in a restaurant in Tenerife is cheaper than in mainland Spain (or in most countries in Europe) because the sales tax is just 5%, compared to 22% in the rest of Spain. This makes food and alcoholic drinks on the island quite affordable.
Yet, at the same time, it’s hard to give a definitive answer on how much it will cost to eat in Tenerife because it depends on the city (prices are higher in the tourist towns in the south) and the location of the restaurant (in tourist hotspots, prices can be nearly twice as high, but if you drive to a quieter part of town, you’ll spend much less).
I’m sharing average prices because I tend to avoid places that cater exclusively to tourists. However, if you know you’ll be eating in popular tourist spots, you should add around 25%-30% to these figures below for a more accurate estimate.
So, here are some food prices in Tenerife’s restaurants and local diners:
- Croquettes (small, between 4-6 pieces depending on the size) – €6.5-€8
- Mushrooms with cheese and garlic (baked dish, big portion) – €9-€10
- Canarian-style potatoes (boiled) with Mojo sauce (small portion enough for 1) – €3.5-€4
- Octopus salad (must-try) depending on the size – €9-€10
- Stewed rabbit (specialty dish) – €15
- Fried squid (plate to share) – €12-€13
- Grilled shrimp with garlic (plate for 1) – €12-€13
- Baked shrimp with garlic (specialty dish) – €10-€11
- Grilled octopus (€15-€16)
- Grilled fish with salad and potatoes (depending on the fish type) – €10.5-€12
- Plate of sardines (as a snack or appetizer with beer) – €6-€7
- Pizza (depending on the type) – €9-€12
- Pasta 4 cheeses or bolonesa – €8.5-€9
- Cesars salad – €11-€12
When you go to dine in the restaurant, expect to spend on average (in a budget restaurant) between €8-€15 per person, this amount covers a decent size of portion and a drink (coffee, wine, or beer).
Many restaurants also offer business lunches or menus of the day. From 12:00 to 16:00, it is possible to find a fixed menu for €7-12, which includes a salad or appetizer, a main course, and a soft drink/glass of wine, or dessert.
For breakfast, it is very possible to spend €3.5-€5 per person if you eat in a local place that sells simple breakfasts, including coffee with a croissant, tortilla, or sandwich. We like to go from time to time to get an egg and ham sandwich or hamburgesa (which is a big size burger in Tenerife-style) with cappuccino which costs together €5-€6 depending on the place.
NOTE: Since many tourists on the island are British, many cafes and restaurants offer a full English breakfast for €5-€6 as well. This includes a glass of fresh orange juice, coffee, two fried eggs, bacon, sliced tomato, lettuce, and toast with jam and butter.
Costs of Drinks in Tenerife
Even though we don’t eat out at restaurants very often, stopping by for a coffee with a cake or just enjoying a glass of wine or beer has become something of a tradition. This is because drinks in Tenerife’s restaurants and bars are quite affordable.
You can even stop for a drink in one of the panoramic venues without paying much despite slightly higher prices due to the views.
Since tax regulations are quite favorable, prices for alcoholic beverages (particularly whiskey, cognac, champagne, etc. that have been imported into Tenerife) are 20-30% lower than in duty-free shops. In bars and restaurants, you can enjoy popular light beers like Dorada and Tropical for just €2 per pint. A glass of wine costs €2-3, and a 50ml serving of whiskey is €3.
Our favorite drink (as well as locals’ who have a deep affection for it) is coffee. Compared to most European countries, coffee in Tenerife still has reasonable prices.
For example, a cappuccino costs €2.5 in many places, latte €3.5, Americano €1.5 as well as regular coffee with milk (which tastes just like a cappuccino but for some reason cheaper).
My go-to coffee drink is baraquito — a rich mix of coffee, condensed milk, liqueur, and a hint of cinnamon. In nice restaurants, it costs around €2.5, but in many local spots in Tenerife North I can find it even for €1.8-€2. In Tenerife South prices are approximately 20% more expensive.
Here is how much you can expect to pay for alcoholic drinks if you buy them in restaurants and bars:
- Dorada beer (small) – €1.5
- Dorada beer (big) – €2.5
- Tinto de Verano (small) – €2-€2.5
- Aperol – €4.5
- Craft Cider (from the Canaries) – €4
- Glass of Wine (depending on the brand) – €2-€6
Cost of Fast Food in Tenerife
Fast food in Tenerife is represented by both local and international franchises. International ones are familiar names like McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, Little Italy, and Telepizza, with a typical meal deal costing around €8.
But this type of food is not very popular among locals (except for kids and students) as people prefer the Canarian type of street food or budget-friendly diners with fast food options.
For example, Puerto de la Cruz, La Laguna, Santa Cruz, Los Cristianos have small shops that sell local treats like fried dough sticks, churros, waffles, caramel apples, roasted chestnuts, or sugar-coated almonds. They cost between €1-€3 for each.
There are also panaderias (bakeries) offering a variety of both savory and sweet pastries that make for a great snack. Average prices are €1-€1.5 for a mid-size pastry with cheese or ham, €1.5-€1.8 for a pizza slice and €2-€3 for larger pies or cakes.
For a more substantial bite, choose pinchos (just put it on the map to find nearby places) — similar to tapas but served on skewers or toothpicks.
Prices Beyond Food in Tenerife
Here is also a quick look at the prices of hotels and apartments, so you can get a fuller picture of how much to budget.
However, when it comes to accommodation, the key is to book early for the period of October-February and for July-August.
TIP: Zoom in the map and choose a needed date to see more options in a particular city or town.
In Search of More Tips for Tenerife?
I have so many posts (and working on others) that answer many questions! Check some of them here:
- Cheap Flights to Tenerife – tips on how to find low-cost airfare
- Weather in Tenerife by Month – what to expect from each season
- North Tenerife vs South Tenerife – comparison guide
- Tenerife in December – weather, activities & must-know tips
- Best Things to Do in Tenerife North – for nature and food lovers
- Top Things to Do in Tenerife South – for beaches, nightlife & spooky places
- Beautiful Tenerife Towns – where to go and what to see
- Stargazing Tenerife – advice and personal experience
- Visiting Loro Park – my best tips to make the most of a visit
- Exploring Guimar – quick guide to one of the lesser-known villages
- My Other Tips – all other posts with more details
Tips for Other Canary Islands
- How Many Days to Spend in Gran Canaria – for first and returning visits
- All-Inclusive 5-Star Hotels in Gran Canaria – for different tastes and budgets
