Gluten-free Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Gluten-free travel requires research. I’ve spent a week in Las Palmas, and it’s a shame this information will go to waste
** If you didn’t read the welcome page yet, please start there **
In General
I was a bit worried to arrive here, mainly because my experience showed me that I can only rely on big cities, and Gran Canaria is a tiny island. I was happy to discover there is high awareness, probably because it is such a tourist place.
Regardless of wheat, because gluten is gluten in Spanish as well, it could be challenging to communicate with locals without a person who can translate. Not all restaurants hold menus in English and not all service providers know how to talk to you.
Now, let’s talk about the food!
The Restaurants
Here you’ll find recommendations and dis-recommendations about restaurants I’ve been to.
Llévame al huerto — To this place, I came back — that’s how much I liked it! Note that breakfast is only served until 12:30, and you don’t want to miss it!
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Organic Jungle — This was also a very nice place with great gluten-free awareness.
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mr. Kale — This one is a healthy food restaurant so it was pretty clear I’ll find something (I don’t know what is it about vegan awareness that also increases gluten awareness). The cool part about this one is that this restaurant has multiple branches so it can be a safe option wherever you stay.
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
200 Gramos Burger & Beverage Ruiz de Alda — Their menu didn’t mention gluten-free, but I went there because one of my gluten-free tricks is going to a burger place and ordering a burger without the bun. Yea, when you are celiac you realize this isn’t a very important part of this dish. Surprisingly, they do have gluten-free buns and even gluten-free chocolate cake for dessert! Wasn’t the best cake I had, but they get an A for effort from me :)
I will add that I was annoyed with the service, long waiting time despite the restaurant having 3 tables, or getting served dessert with only 1 spoon despite being 3 people.
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐
Restaurante El Conejo Alegre — Well, we went to this place for the cool sombrero you see in the second photo. It’s a cool gadget, but not something worth coming back for. With that said, we were the cooks of this meal, so maybe it’s our fault ;)
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Telepizza Canteras — Comida a Domicilio — This is a funny one. If I were to judge it by itself, it wouldn’t get a high score: it’s a cheap fast food place and they managed to burn the crust while still having the center of the pizza cold. BUT I got home hungry after leaving the fancy restaurant we had dinner at (you’ll hear about it soon) and Telepizza was my lifesaver!
They lost a star in variety because you can only choose from existing pizzas and not create your own.
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Restaurante Miso — Ohhh, I loved this place! Japanese and Korean restaurants are another trick in my gluten-free book, because sushi is mostly safe, and if they hold gluten-free soy sauce — you can be sure they have awareness. When I arrived I discovered there was no need to go for my safe choice, because there are other great dishes to try! This was the first time I had bibimbap and it was delicious! Of course, you should always make sure your waiter is aware you are gluten intolerant.
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
Poké Poké — Olof palme — I liked this Poke so much — I ordered it twice! Their website has great gluten-free awareness and there is a menu in English with pictures! This is also a great opportunity to mention that the food delivery app in the canaries is Glovo — a Spanish quick-commerce start-up founded in Barcelona in 2015.
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
Juicy Avenue Las Canteras — This is the perfect place to go to after a day at the beach! I originally ordered my acai bowl without granola but the cashier checked the bag and it was only “might contain gluten” so I got it. Didn’t feel any symptoms, but this risk is up to you!
I aimed for the acai bowl so I don’t know how is their gluten-free variety.
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐?
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Triciclo — It was ok, they have a good score on google maps. They don’t have allergens on their menu so I just had to play it safe with a steak.
Awareness: ⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐
LUWAK — This is a cute homey coffee shop that I started my days at, but food-wise it was disappointing. The menu is small and everything requires compromising or giving up a key ingredient in the dish.
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐
My experience: ⭐⭐⭐
Los 5 Sentidos — This is the place I went to before Telepizza! Yes, it was so bad I had to go to another place after. Even the gluten-tolerating people I spent dinner with didn’t enjoy their food.
Awareness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Variety: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My experience: ⭐
Haven’t been to, but came up in my research
Maybe this could save you some time :)
- Restaurante 18 Grados
- GustoBistrò
- BASAL GRILL & BEACH
- Bioloco Las Palmas
- Ristorante Pizzería Al Maccaroni
- Cafetería del Real — Pasteles de Nata
- Restaurante Molinet
Bonus Information
- Grocery store — SuperDino Nicolás Estévanez — I was surprised to discover they have a gluten-free section!
- Gran Canaria Airport — Burger King — randomly finding the sign that says they have gluten-free buns was a pure moment of joy! I hadn’t had Burger King in ages + I was hungry and worried I won’t find anything!
And on that lovely note — that’s it for today!
I really hope you found this blog post useful.
Have any recommendations to add? Found a mistake? Please send an email to glutenfreetravel1@gmail.com. This will be helpful for all of us!
Enjoy your vacation in Gran Canaria! :D
