Lanzarote, the easternmost of Spain’s Canary Islands, is rapidly emerging as a haven for plant-based cuisine enthusiasts. This volcanic paradise, known for its otherworldly landscapes and pristine beaches, is now carving out a reputation for its diverse and innovative vegetarian and vegan dining scene. From traditional Canarian dishes reimagined without animal products to cutting-edge fusion cuisine, Lanzarote offers a cornucopia of options for those seeking meat-free culinary adventures.
As more travellers embrace plant-based lifestyles, Lanzarote’s restaurateurs and chefs have risen to the challenge, crafting menus that celebrate local produce while catering to a growing demand for ethical and sustainable dining options. Whether you’re a committed vegan, a curious flexitarian, or simply looking to explore the island’s gastronomic offerings, Lanzarote’s plant-based culinary landscape promises a feast for the senses.
Plant-based culinary landscape in lanzarote
The plant-based culinary scene in Lanzarote has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Once limited to a handful of speciality cafes, vegetarian and vegan options now abound across the island. This shift reflects a broader global trend towards plant-based eating, but it’s also deeply rooted in Lanzarote’s agricultural heritage and commitment to sustainability.
Local chefs are increasingly incorporating indigenous ingredients into their plant-based creations, showcasing the island’s unique terroir. Volcanic soil-grown vegetables, such as the sweet Lanzarote onion and the island’s famous potatoes, take centre stage in many dishes. These ingredients are often complemented by locally sourced fruits, herbs, and sea vegetables, creating a true taste of Lanzarote on every plate.
The island’s commitment to eco-friendly practices extends beyond the plate. Many vegetarian and vegan establishments in Lanzarote prioritise sustainability in their operations, using renewable energy sources, reducing waste, and supporting local farmers. This holistic approach to dining not only enhances the flavour of the food but also aligns with the ethos of many plant-based eaters who seek to minimise their environmental impact.
Top-rated vegan restaurants in arrecife
Arrecife, Lanzarote’s capital city, serves as a hub for some of the island’s most innovative and delectable vegan cuisine. Here, you’ll find a diverse array of plant-based eateries, each offering its own unique take on meat-free dining. From casual cafes to upscale restaurants, Arrecife caters to every taste and budget within the vegan spectrum.
Blooming cactus: innovative fusion vegan cuisine
Nestled in the heart of Arrecife, Blooming Cactus has quickly become a favourite among locals and tourists alike. This trendy establishment prides itself on its creative fusion of international flavours, all reimagined through a vegan lens. The menu changes seasonally, ensuring that only the freshest local ingredients are used in their culinary creations.
Signature dishes at Blooming Cactus include their ‘Cactus Pad Ceviche’, a clever plant-based twist on the traditional seafood dish, and their ‘Volcanic Lava Cake’, a decadent dessert that pays homage to Lanzarote’s geological wonders. The restaurant’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its menu, with eco-friendly packaging and a zero-waste policy in place.
La ola verde: sustainable farm-to-table vegan eatery
La Ola Verde takes the concept of farm-to-table dining to new heights. This charming restaurant sources the majority of its produce from its own organic farm, located just outside Arrecife. The result is a menu bursting with freshness and flavour, showcasing the best of Lanzarote’s agricultural bounty.
At La Ola Verde, you can savour dishes like ‘Papas Arrugadas con Mojo Verde’, a vegan version of the classic Canarian potato dish, and ‘Ensalada de Tunera’, a refreshing salad featuring locally grown prickly pear cactus. The restaurant also offers cooking classes, allowing visitors to learn the secrets of plant-based Canarian cuisine.
Veggie republic: diverse international plant-based menu
For those craving a global culinary journey, Veggie Republic offers a diverse menu inspired by plant-based dishes from around the world. This cosmopolitan eatery brings together flavours from Asia, the Mediterranean, and the Americas, all reimagined without animal products.
Popular choices at Veggie Republic include their ‘Thai Green Curry’ made with local vegetables and coconut milk, and their ‘Mexican Street Corn Pizza’ topped with cashew cheese and grilled corn. The restaurant also boasts an impressive selection of vegan wines and craft beers, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely dinner or a night out with friends.
Green island café: local canarian-inspired vegan dishes
Green Island Café pays homage to traditional Canarian cuisine while catering to plant-based diets. This cosy café offers a menu full of veganised local specialities, allowing visitors to experience the flavours of Lanzarote without compromising their dietary choices.
Must-try dishes include their ‘Vegan Sancocho’, a plant-based version of the traditional Canarian fish stew, and their ‘Gofio Mousse’, a light and creamy dessert made from the island’s staple toasted grain flour. The café also serves a range of fresh juices and smoothies, perfect for a refreshing break from exploring Arrecife.
Vegetarian-friendly traditional canarian cuisine
While Lanzarote’s vegan scene is flourishing, the island’s traditional Canarian cuisine also offers numerous options for vegetarians. Many classic dishes can be easily adapted to suit a meat-free diet, allowing visitors to experience authentic local flavours while adhering to their dietary preferences.
Papas arrugadas con mojo: vegan-adaptable lanzarote staple
Papas arrugadas, or ‘wrinkled potatoes’, are a quintessential Canarian dish that’s naturally vegan-friendly. These small, salt-crusted potatoes are typically served with mojo, a spicy sauce that comes in red (mojo rojo) and green (mojo verde) varieties. While the red mojo traditionally contains animal products, many restaurants now offer vegan versions of both sauces.
This simple yet flavourful dish showcases the quality of Lanzarote’s locally grown potatoes, which thrive in the island’s volcanic soil. It’s a perfect example of how traditional cuisine can align with modern dietary preferences without losing its authenticity.
Gofio-based dishes: nutrient-rich vegetarian options
Gofio, a flour made from toasted grains, has been a staple of Canarian cuisine for centuries. This versatile ingredient is naturally vegan and packed with nutrients, making it a favourite among health-conscious diners. In Lanzarote, you’ll find gofio used in a variety of vegetarian-friendly dishes.
Popular gofio-based options include ‘Gofio Escaldado’, a savoury porridge-like dish often served with vegetables, and ‘Gofio Amasado’, a dough-like preparation that can be shaped into balls and enjoyed as a snack or side dish. These traditional foods offer a unique taste of Canarian culture while providing a nutritious, plant-based meal option.
Vegetarian sancocho: plant-based version of island favourite
Sancocho, traditionally a fish stew, has been reimagined by many Lanzarote restaurants to cater to vegetarian and vegan diets. These plant-based versions often use seaweed or meat substitutes to recreate the texture and flavour of the original dish, while maintaining its comforting, hearty nature.
Vegetarian sancocho typically features a mix of local vegetables, including sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and corn, simmered in a flavourful broth. It’s often served with gofio as a thickener, creating a satisfying meal that pays homage to Canarian culinary traditions while meeting modern dietary preferences.
Vegan-friendly resorts and accommodations
As Lanzarote’s plant-based dining scene has evolved, so too has the island’s accommodation sector. Many resorts and hotels now cater specifically to vegan and vegetarian guests, offering specialised menus, cooking classes, and even entire plant-based restaurants within their premises.
Eco-resorts, in particular, have embraced the plant-based movement, aligning their culinary offerings with their broader sustainability goals. These establishments often source ingredients from their own organic gardens or local farms, providing guests with fresh, seasonal produce that showcases the best of Lanzarote’s agriculture.
Some resorts go beyond just offering vegan-friendly dining options. They provide plant-based toiletries, vegan-friendly bedding, and even organise excursions to local organic farms or vegan restaurants. This comprehensive approach ensures that vegan and vegetarian visitors can enjoy a worry-free holiday experience that aligns with their values and dietary choices.
Plant-based dining in lanzarote’s tourist hotspots
While Arrecife boasts a thriving vegan scene, plant-based dining options are not limited to the capital. Lanzarote’s popular tourist destinations have embraced the trend, offering a wide range of vegetarian and vegan-friendly establishments to cater to the growing demand.
Puerto del carmen: beachfront vegan dining options
Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote’s largest and most popular resort town, has seen a surge in plant-based dining options in recent years. Along its bustling beachfront promenade, you’ll find numerous restaurants offering vegan and vegetarian menus, often with stunning ocean views.
Standout options include ‘The Green Spot’, a fully vegan café known for its colorful Buddha bowls and raw desserts, and ‘Marea Terraza Lounge Bar’, which offers a separate vegan menu featuring innovative plant-based tapas and main courses. These establishments prove that you don’t have to sacrifice flavour or ambiance when opting for a plant-based meal in this vibrant tourist hub.
Playa blanca: upscale vegetarian restaurants
In the southern resort town of Playa Blanca, vegetarian and vegan dining takes on a more upscale character. Here, you’ll find gourmet plant-based restaurants that cater to discerning palates, often incorporating local ingredients in creative and sophisticated ways.
‘La Romantica’, for instance, offers a high-end vegetarian dining experience with a menu that changes daily based on the freshest available produce. Their innovative dishes, such as ‘Volcanic Ash-Crusted Tofu’ and ‘Cactus Fruit Sorbet’, showcase the unique flavours of Lanzarote while demonstrating the versatility of plant-based cuisine.
Costa teguise: family-friendly vegan eateries
Costa Teguise, known for its family-friendly atmosphere, offers a range of casual vegan and vegetarian dining options that cater to all ages. Many restaurants here focus on creating plant-based versions of familiar favourites, making it easier for families to explore vegan cuisine together.
‘Vegan Corner’, a popular spot in Costa Teguise, serves up vegan burgers, pizzas, and ice creams that appeal to both children and adults. Their ‘Build-Your-Own-Bowl’ option is particularly popular, allowing diners to customise their meals with a variety of colourful, nutritious ingredients.
Lanzarote’s organic farms and vegan-friendly markets
Lanzarote’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and plant-based living extends beyond its restaurants. The island is home to numerous organic farms and markets that cater to vegan and vegetarian visitors, offering fresh, locally grown produce and artisanal plant-based products.
Finca de lanzarote: eco-friendly vegetable farm tours
Finca de Lanzarote, an organic farm located in the heart of the island, offers visitors a unique insight into Lanzarote’s sustainable agriculture practices. The farm specialises in growing a variety of vegetables using traditional Canarian farming techniques adapted to the island’s arid climate.
Guided tours of the farm provide an opportunity to learn about organic farming methods, see unique irrigation systems designed to conserve water, and even participate in harvesting activities. The farm also hosts vegan cooking workshops using their fresh produce, allowing visitors to gain hands-on experience in preparing plant-based Canarian dishes.
Teguise market: local vegan produce and artisanal goods
The weekly market in Teguise, held every Sunday, is a treasure trove for vegan and vegetarian visitors. Here, local farmers and artisans gather to sell their produce and handcrafted goods, many of which are plant-based and organic.
At the market, you can find a wide range of locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as vegan-friendly products like aloe vera cosmetics, cactus jams, and gofio-based snacks. It’s an excellent opportunity to stock up on ingredients for self-catering or to purchase unique, plant-based souvenirs to take home.
La villa de teguise: vegan-friendly wine tasting experiences
La Villa de Teguise, the former capital of Lanzarote, is not only rich in history but also offers unique vegan-friendly experiences. The town is home to several wineries that produce wines using grapes grown in the island’s volcanic soil, many of which are suitable for vegans.
Wine tasting tours in La Villa de Teguise often include visits to local vineyards, where you can learn about Lanzarote’s unique vine cultivation methods. Many wineries now offer vegan-friendly tapas to accompany their wines, showcasing how traditional Canarian flavours can be adapted to suit plant-based diets.
These experiences provide a perfect blend of culture, history, and gastronomy, allowing visitors to appreciate Lanzarote’s rich viticultural heritage while adhering to their dietary preferences. It’s yet another example of how the island is evolving to meet the needs of plant-based travellers without compromising on authenticity or quality.