Our Top 14 Refreshment Stops in North Gran Canaria
La Marinera, Playa de las Canteras, Gran Canaria.
Travel is about discovering and exploring new places. As well as seeing the sights, the key ingredients of any trip are the refreshment stops. Even if your meals are provided with your accommodation, you still need refreshment breaks, especially in a warm climate. Often these breaks, as well as an opportunity to recharge, can enhance and add to the sightseeing experience.
Read on to see how many of our refreshment stops in north Gran Canaria had stunning views and which ones offered additional experiences.
Starting in the capital, Las Palmas, travel with us on a refreshing tour of North Gran Canaria.
Glamour, Paseo de las Canteras.
Eurofile
Our Top Refreshment Stops
- La Taberna de El Monje, Las Palmas.
- Vai Piano, Las Palmas.
- Terraza, Parque Doramas, Las Palmas.
- Bar Terraza, Castillo de la Luz, Las Palmas.
- 100 Montaditos, Playa de las Canteras.
- Restaurante Glamour, Playa de las Canteras.
- Restaurante La Marinera, Playa de las Canteras.
- Paddy's Anchor, Playa de las Canteras.
- Jardin Canario Restaurante, Jardin Botanico.
- Cafe el Parque, Arucas.
- Arehucas Rum Factory.
- Mc Cafeteria Restaurante, Teror.
- Restaurante Terraza Sidreria La Diosa del Mar, Puerto de las Nieves.
- Finca La Laja.
Las Palmas
Our trip starts in the capital of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, the Canary Islands' biggest city. It is located in the northeastern corner of the island, 15.5 miles north of the airport. The city's origins date back to 1478, when Juan Rejon, a Spanish captain, founded the hamlet Real de Las Palmas after landing in Gran Canaria.
Vegueta is the historic center of the city and contains several notable sites. Among them is Catedral de Santa Ana, which was begun in 1497 and has been adapted many times since then. The cathedral is a symbol of the city and a good point from which to start our refreshment tour.
Catedral de Santa Ana, Las Palmas.
Eurofile
1. La Taberna de El Monje
La Taberna de El Monje is located on Calle Espiritu Santo, south of the cathedral. The entrance to the cathedral via the Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro is nearby. The Taberna makes good use of its setting with tables outside on the pedestrianized street and opposite in the shaded square next to the cathedral. By day it is a bar offering refreshments and by night the doors open to a thriving restaurant. It is a great spot to recharge with a cooling drink. Reviews by other customers are good too.
2. Vai Piano
Our next stop is in the Triana area of Las Palmas. Gabinete Literario, home to the city's first theatre and now a cultural center, is an eye-catching sight. Plaza Cairasco offers a choice of refreshment stops with seating under shades on the pleasant square. We chose the Italian restaurant, Vai Piano, as it had a table free with a view. Cafe Madrid is nearer to Gabinete Literario but was busier when we were there. We did not sample the food, but Vai Piano is a good location for a cooling drink with a stunning backdrop.
3. Terraza, Parque Doramas
The intriguing Guanche statues and the nearby Santa Catalina Hotel piqued our curiosity in Parque Doramas when we passed by on the local bus. The park is located in the Ciudad Jardin area of Las Palmas, around 1.7 miles northwest of the cathedral and near the marina. Our interest was well-rewarded. Parque Doramas is the city's largest park It is a pleasantly landscaped oasis with multiple water features. The outdoor cafe takes full advantage of its location with tables laid out on a terrace overlooking a large water feature. It is an ideal spot for a cooling drink, with plenty of sun shades available.
Terraza Parque Doramas overlooks a water feature.
4. Bar Terraza, Castillo de la Luz
Another simple outdoor cafe that gets high marks for its location is Bar Terraza, Castillo de la Luz. Located in a small park area near the castle, tables have a great view, with bubbling water features, plants, palm trees, and the castle to feast your eyes on. The prices of the drinks here started from just over one Euro when we visited at the end of June 2018.
The inside of the castle has been made into a display area for the work of Canarian sculptor, Martin Chirino. Arguably, for those who have little interest in modern sculpture, the view from this cafe is preferable to paying to go inside.
Refreshment Stops in Las Palmas
Playa de las Canteras
As city beaches go, Playa de las Canteras, to the northwest of the city center, is one of the best. Its 2-mile stretch of sand is protected from the Atlantic Sea by the barra, a natural reef. Palm trees are dotted along the top of the beach and the Paseo de las Canteras, the pedestrian walkway is lined with bars and restaurants. There is plenty of choice here for refreshment stops.
Playa de las Canteras.
Eurofile
5. 100 Montaditos
We first came across 100 Montaditos in Tenerife, a neighboring Canarian island. We have since found it on mainland Spain. 'Montaditos' were the first sandwiches in 15th-16th Century Spain. The word is thought to come from 'montar', to mount, which refers to the toppings that are mounted on a slice of bread. As its name suggests, 100 Montaditos lists 100 choices on its menu.
If you are looking for a very reasonably priced place for a drink and snack, I recommend calling in here. Since the first outlet opened in 2000, in Huelva, 100 Montaditos has expanded rapidly. The brand now stretches into Italy, the USA, and South America. There could be one near you.
100 Montaditos is at Paseo de las Canteras 5, towards the northeastern end of the beach. There are tables inside and outside the location. We suggest timing it right or waiting for a little to get a beachside table. It is worth it for the view.
Tinto de Verano
The literal translation is 'red wine of the summer'. Similar to sangria, but lower in alcohol, this summer cocktail is typically made of red wine and lemon soda. Served in a glass from the fridge or freezer, it is very refreshing.
6. Restaurante Glamour
As well as snacks and drinks, there are plenty of restaurants along Paseo de las Canteras, which offer full meals. We treated ourselves to a three-course lunch on our last day in Gran Canaria, as we had a flight to catch in the evening.
Restaurante Glamour is at 14 Paseo de las Canteras. We found plenty of choices on the menu for a reasonable price. The food quality and table service were good. It was worth waiting a few minutes on a Saturday lunchtime for a beachside table to become vacant.
7. Restaurante La Marinera
If you are keen to sample local seafood, as well as Canarian specialties, in a pleasant setting, Restaurante La Marinera is worth considering. It has a prime location on La Puntilla at the far northeastern end of Paseo de las Canteras. Its three dining rooms and terrace have great sea views and vistas back down the beach, with fishing boats and nets pulled up in front of the restaurant.