Maspalomas' national cuisine is represented by a wide variety of restaurants and cafes, neighboring Chinese buffets, Indian and Mediterranean cafes, and Argentine grill establishments. The best cafes in Maspalomas are located on the main street and Faro Boulevard. For those traveling with young children, many establishments offer children's menus and highchairs.
Maspalomas' national cuisine is influenced by mainland Spanish tradition, as well as Italian, Asian and South American cuisine. Islanders use flavorful parsley, mint, eggplant, carrots, papaya, mango and garlic in their dishes. Meats often include beef, pork, lamb and goat meat. Most local cheeses are made from goat's milk. The ancient Guanche tribes are known to have eaten a lot of figs and dried fruits.
The typical cuisine of Gran Canaria uses simple, fresh ingredients to make the "menu of the day" - and these dishes are almost always culinary masterpieces: fried fish in a savory herb sauce, a side dish of potatoes, succulent goat meat, green salads with tender avocado or omelets with wild asparagus.
Maspalomas restaurants serve classic Spanish dishes like paella (rice cooked with chicken and rabbit or seafood), tortillas (omelets), gazpacho (cold tomato soup), other types of soups, pastas and kebabs. A hearty lunch of traditionally large portions for two in Maspalomas can be had for 30 EUR.
The islanders love sweets and desserts. In Maspalomas you can try very sweet candies bienmesabe (thick consistency, they are made of almonds and honey), frangollo (a mixture of corn flour, milk and honey), tirijaras (confectionery sweets), bizcochos lustrados (sponge cake) and turrón de melaza (nougat). Also recommended for those with a sweet tooth are quesadillas - cheese cookies with cinnamon (sometimes anise) and morcillas dulces - sweet sausages made from grapes, raisins and almonds.
Wine on the island is cheap and of high quality. A bottle costs 7-10 EUR. We recommend to try sangria, in cafes it is served in a carafe with fruit and ice for 16-20 EUR. In Maspalomas stores sangria is sold for 9 EUR per liter.
