Dining Out

What follows is a small selection of the restaurants (and a couple of bars) we have come to love and return to again and again. If you are interested in trying them for yourself we can give you precise directions. Unless stated otherwise, they are all in within a few minutes walking distance from the dive centre.

Spanish

The question we are asked most frequently is where you can find good Spanish food, including tapas. Fortunately the answer is not too far away; in the commercial area known as El Camisón there are several excellent Spanish restaurants.

Our favourites are La Monteria (922 751 209) and Meson Castellaño (www.mesoncastellano.com) or 922 796 305.

The latter also sells some fine Spanish produce so you may be able to pick up a nice little gift for someone back home.

Italian

There are lots of Italian restaurants, but this one is probably our favourite:

Il Picolo (922 796788) for some great pizzas plus traditional Italian fare. Only a few minutes’ walk from the dive centre in the direction of Los Cristianos, Il Piccolo occupies a lovely spot with the majority of its tables located on a terrace overlooking the beach of Playa de las Vistas.

For a drink before or after we enjoy the nearby bar Sama Sama, under the same ownership and sharing the same great atmosphere and cool surroundings.

Chinese

There are many Chinese restaurants, mostly operating within the Slow Boat franchise. The one we favour is the original, still the best, located in Puerto Colon, which would be a short cab ride from the dive centre. Great for groups; call 922 713 416.

Dutch

Visitors from the Netherlands love to meet our friends Andre and Yvonne who own and run El Ambiente, a Dutch restaurant on the same street as the dive centre. But it’s not just for the Dutch, you will be given a genuinely warm welcome wherever you are from! We can heartily recommend one of their delicious steaks.

If you can understand Dutch their website is www.elambiente-tenerife.com , or phone 922 790 849. (English spoken too).

Fish and chips

We’re talking a traditional British chippie here – better than many chip shops back in the UK. If you fancy freshly fried fish in light crisp batter, soft chips made from real fresh potatoes, mushy peas, curry sauce, pickled eggs – whatever - then Scampi’s is the place for you – just up the street from us. No contact details – just turn up.

Sunday afternoon jazz

For a chilled and leisurely Sunday afternoon try Finca del Arte in Chayofa. Enjoy BBQ or paella whilst taking in the cool sounds of some local jazz musicians for no extra charge. Inside, the restaurant has a fascinating art gallery – beware cultural overload!

This would be approximately a 10 minute taxi ride. www.fincadelarte.com , 922 729 103.

Special occasions

El Cerro de la Luna in Chayofa (next to the Camel Park). The food style is contemporary Spanish and the atmosphere decidedly relaxed. Whether you eat outside in the lovely garden or inside the quaint farmhouse, the setting is just magical and the food sublime.

Being slightly up the mountain, the temperature will be a degree or two colder than at beach level during the evenings, so go prepared if you want to sit outside. Approximately a 10 minute cab ride. www.camelparktenerife.com , 922 721 827.

The latest addition to our favourite restaurants, the gorgeous La Estancia, is also located in Chayofa, next to the Regency Country Club. The cuisine is French Mediterranean and the quality is top notch.

There are two outdoor areas to choose from, one with the soothing sound of a waterfall, plus an extensive indoor area all tastefully decorated and with lots of interesting art for sale. www.laestancia.com or call 922 729359.

Cocktails ( or whatever)

Our favourite bar for special nights has to be Magic, with its fabulous Moroccan style decor, top quality live entertainment (and a sound system that does it justice), this place is part of the Mare Nostrum resort, just 5 minutes from us. www.magictenerife.com , 922 102 200.