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The Best Vegetarian and Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Tenerife

| © Buenavida Vegan

Vegetarian – and even more so vegan – travellers to Tenerife used to struggle to find restaurants to cater to their meat-free diet. Things have certainly changed, however, in recent years with veggie-friendly eateries opening up all over the island. So, if you rather your burger tofu and your cheese non-dairy, check out our selection of the best places to get your meal sin productos animales.

Buenavida Vegan

Boutique Hotel Restaurant, Vegan, Vegetarian

Raw Cannelloni
© Buenavida Vegan

Located in a shopping mall in the resort of Costa Adeje, food at this café-restaurant is 100% plant-based, though as popular with omnivores as it is vegans. With a weekly changing menu, it focuses on seasonal products in freshly created and beautifully presented dishes that include the likes of seitan filets, tofu cakes, lentil burgers, and even vegan cheese platters. Desserts are well represented with chocolate and coffee cake a favourite, plus there’s a range of smoothies, fresh juices, craft beer and cocktails with which to wash it all down.

Burger Mel I

Restaurant, Vegan, Vegetarian, Fast Food

Colourful interiors at Burger Mel
© Burger Mel

Conceived way back in 1985 by founder Mel, Burger Mel I was the first of what is now a chain of vegan-friendly fast food outlets scattered around Tenerife and neighbouring Gran Canaria. As well as veggie burgers, they serve meat-free hot dogs and other tofu- and seitan-based dishes, often with a side of chips (which can be enjoyed with their soy mayonnaise). It is open 365 days a year until late, so the perfect place to grab a late-night, guilt-free burger.

Kimpira

Restaurant, Vegan, Vegetarian, Tapas

This simple but cute vegan café is located in a peaceful square in a quieter corner of the Tenerife capital. It offers macrobiotic and gluten-free options, plus a set lunchtime menu changes daily, and take-away service. All produce is organic, tasty, and great value for money. If you fancy a tipple, their house-produced wine is also surprisingly drinkable.

El Guanche

Restaurant with Rooms, Vegetarian, Tapas

Views from El Guanche
© El Guanche

Situated in the small and scenic mountain village of Masca, this restaurant-with-rooms is certainly one of the more remote vegetarian eateries on the island. It occupies an old schoolhouse and offers a modest menu of homemade, meat-free dishes that include maize tortillas, soups, and juices squeezed from home-grown fruits. The food is simple but hearty and delicious, and the terrace provides some of the most superb valley views on the island. You can also stay the night, in one of two basic but comfortable guest rooms.

Pizzeria Focacceria Zeneize

Pizzeria, Restaurant, Vegan, Vegetarian, Italian

The island’s only dedicated vegetarian pizza and pasta restaurant, Pizzeria Focacceria Zeneize is located in the Arona area within easy reach of the Costa Adeje resorts. The friendly owners are from Genoa, so you know you’ll get authentic Italian flavours, albeit the pizzas are topped with veganella – vegan mozzarella made in-house. Pesto and foccacia are also homemade, food quality is excellent, and prices are more than reasonable.

Veggie Penguin

Cafe, Restaurant, Vegan, Vegetarian

Vegan cheese
© Veggie Penguin

The ethos behind Veggie Penguin is as much about promoting a healthy meat-free diet as serving it. It opened in 2017 and focuses on vegan food using traditional recipes, while also supporting local animal-rights projects and running cooking workshops for both adults and kids. Friendly staff, seasonal produce, and tasty food combine for one of the best vegan experiences on the island.

Vía-Orgánica

Cafe, Grocery Store, Vegan, Vegetarian

Set in the centre of Santa Cruz, this vegan and vegetarian café opened in 2016. There’s no fixed menu, with the huge blackboard showing the seasonally inspired dishes available, which are all organically sourced. Food is all freshly prepared and cooked from scratch, so expect a bit of a wait, and mostly vegan, often with the option of adding cheese or egg. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus take-out is available. You can also choose from a wide combination of ingredients to make your perfect smoothie.

About the author

A dyed-in-the-wool Londoner now firmly rooted among the cobbled streets of old town Palma de Mallorca, left a piece of himself in Mexico some time in the last millennium and had a previous existence touring the world with a band you've probably never heard of.

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