In this article we have compiled a list of the bochinches or guachinches in Gran Canaria that you should not miss. If you want to try authentic Canarian food and, in addition, you like wine, enjoying a bochinche on the island is an excellent option. BUT, you should know that, according to the Official Bulletin of the Canary Islands, in order to be a guachinche, bochinche or buachinche, several conditions must be met, although we highlight the main ones:
- The temporary sale of home-grown wine, which may be accompanied by the offer of up to a maximum of three different dishes of home-made food, as well as pickles, nuts and fruit from their farm or agricultural area.
- In addition, only their own wines and water may be offered as beverages. In other words, beverages such as soft drinks or beer may not be offered.
Therefore, in Gran Canaria there are only two bochinches or guachinches, the rest are restaurants or bars that operate under the name of something they are not (according to the law mentioned above) and/or simply offer house wine. The word bochinche comes from bochincho, which means ‘sip’ (buche in the Canary Islands), because of the many sips drunk there. And we understand that from there it has derived to guachinche or buachinche.
Guachinches in Gran Canaria
That said, we will now share with you the two bochinches in Gran Canaria that currently have a licence to temporarily sell their own wine. And, then, we will complement the list with establishments of the same style, but which really serve everything like any bar or restaurant. However, they stand out because they have house wine and homemade food. As a general rule, they tend to be tavern-like or humble in appearance, with paper tablecloths and no shortage of papas arrugadas, gofio escaldado, ropavieja, cheese and, as we say, house wine. Let’s go on with the list!
1. Bochinche Bodega La Montaña
One of the authentic bochinches in Gran Canaria is that of La Montaña, in the district of La Solana in San Mateo. Here, as well as home-grown wines, you can enjoy their gofio escaldao, snails, papas arrugás, mackerel salad, cheeses, olives and croquettes. Please note that it is closed for the season from May to November, but during the winter it is a great place to visit. We recommend taking the opportunity to visit its vineyards, one of the wineries in Gran Canaria that you will fall in love with.
2. Bochinche winery Los Lirios, Monte Lentiscal
Just a few minutes from the Caldera of Bandama, the Bodega Los Lirios awaits you. Their bochinche opens every October, once the wine is ready, and the same with the end date. That is to say, until the wines of the harvest are finished. However, its winery and vineyards can be visited all year round, as it offers other types of experiences such as guided tours and a full programme of events. Its star dishes are beef stew, chickpea stew and fried pork, but remember that its bochinche is only open seasonally.
Next, we continue with the list of the bochinches or guachinches type establishments in Gran Canaria that are open all year round. In addition, they complement their activity of selling house wine with an extensive menu of food and drinks just like any other restaurant. So, the reality is that these establishments should not be called “guachinche” or “bochinche”, but that does not mean that they are not good places to eat.
3. Guachinche Viña Cantera, Valsequillo
We see the example of Viña Cantera, this guachinche in Gran Canaria calls itself as such and is one of our favourites. First, because of its location. It is located in the Valsequillo valley surrounded by strawberry and fruit plantations. That is, you will be able to enjoy beautiful views of the mountains while you eat, especially if you are on the terrace. On the other hand, the food is delicious. We were surprised by their homemade bread (one with prickly pear flavor), their chickpeas, their meat grill, avocado omelette, avocado with tomato, etc. Everything is very tasty.
Moreover, the service in the restaurant is attentive and fast. Finally, here you can buy fruit and vegetables from their farm. Depending on the season, you can find organic strawberries, avocado, oranges, potatoes, etc.
4. Asadero La Caldera, Firgas
In the neighborhood of La Caldera in Firgas there is another of the guachinches of Gran Canaria that we love. It is La Caldera restaurant. It is just as good as Viña Cantera, but with its own charm. Here we highlight several dishes that we always order: the ribs boiled with pineapple (corn) and potatoes, the barbecued ribs and the mushroom and spinach croquettes. Crazy! The stews and ropa vieja are also prepared like those of the grandmother.
5. Bochinche Ca’ Tita, Telde
Pay attention if you like to eat in large quantities because in the Bochinche Ca Tita they seem to feed the Canarian traditional fighters. OMG! Here, if you ask for a barbecue of meat, it is accompanied by padrón peppers and papas con mojo. Be careful, if there are 4 of them, order the grilled meat for 2.
At the same time, their main dishes are also huge. In a portion of fried octopus they serve you two whole octopus. Therefore, we advise you to ask to share and we assure you that the price will not rise than € 20 per person. Also, you have to leave a little space for dessert because their lemon cake is delicious.
6. Casa Josefina, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (El Zardo)
This place in Gran Canaria specialises in lamb baked in the oven with natural fried potatoes. A real delicacy. We also love the chickpea stew and their portion of calamari with chips. The portions are plentiful, so we recommend eating with friends so you can try more things. We also tried their house wine and the typical gofio mousse. You have more information in our article about Casa Josefina.
7. Bochinche Casa Cueva Juancito, La Atalaya (Santa Brígida)
In the neighbourhood of La Atalaya in Santa Brígida hides the bochinche Juancito. A bar inside a cave house with a proposal that you will love. We highlight the caracoles (snails), mushrooms with almogrote, huevos rotos con carne mechada (scrambled eggs with larded meat) and the garbanzada (chickpeas). They also have other typical dishes such as papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes), various cheeses and meats. It is only a few steps away from the pottery Centro Locero of Santa Brígida, which we invite you to visit.
We do not want to say goodbye to you without emphasizing that all these places are great in price, you should not pay more than €20 per person to be super satiated. In addition, as we told you at the beginning, they have the added value of being homemade food and usually work with local products. What do you think of our selection? Do you want to share someone else with everyone who passes by here? Leave us a comment and, until the next localguider!
Guides to Gran Canaria
Finally, if you are interested in more places to eat and things to do in Gran Canaria to discover its most authentic side, take a look at all our guides below.
Video of some bochinches in Gran Canaria
Below you can have a quick look to a YouTube Shorts about some of the places to eat that we have mentioned before. You can subscribe here to our YouTube channel if you don’t want to miss more content about Gran Canaria. All our videos have English subtitles!
We are Ruth & Jorge, Gran Canarians with a travelling soul. Experts in tourism and digital marketing. We share the most authentic side of Gran Canaria (where we live) and… our adventures around the world!
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