This October my boyfriend and I visited Tenerife, specifically the region of Costa Adeje and I was on the hunt for vegan hotspots. Costa Adeje is located on the southwestern coast of Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It is a popular holiday destination for many thanks to its warm climate all year round. The beaches here are characteristically recognizable for their black sand and turquoise waters. It’s a perfect spot for water sports – we tried out kayaking, paddle boarding (my personal favorite), snorkeling, and local boat tours. While out on the waters you can expect to see turtles, fish, dolphins, and whales.
This trip was a special one because we visited for my 26th birthday. Having an October birthday, I grew up bitterly jealous of anyone who had a summer birthday. I longed for a BBQ or a trip to the beach like my friends. Mine were usually bundled up in sweaters and combined with Halloween. I’ve not been short of many Halloween–birthday crossovers in my time! That’s why this year I knew I wanted to visit somewhere hot to just once get that summery care-free feeling I craved for my birthday. Living in England, Europe is my most accessible travel destination. Whilst most countries in Europe are also cold at this time of year, Tenerife is one of the last places to stay hot even through winter. This is down to the geography of the islands which are located closer to Africa than mainland Europe.
Whenever traveling I always opt for an Airbnb or apartment where I can, so I can access a kitchen. This takes a little stress away from the worry of what to eat. I already love cooking and experimenting with food, now I have a kitchen and a whole host of new ingredients to cook with! Exploring supermarkets in other countries can be exciting, you can learn a lot about popular and local ingredients which can push you to try new things.
Of course, when on holiday, part of the experience does come down to going out for dinners and nice meals. For many, myself included, I know when visiting new countries as a vegan, it’s a common worry about what food you’ll find upon arrival – especially on an island known for its fishing industries! But fear not, along my exploration of Adeje, I was able to find several vegan hotspots. Here I will tell you a little more about my top 3 recommendations for the town.
Beat
This is the first of my vegan hotspots and is located in the Los Cristianos area right along the beachfront. The outdoor seating area looks right out to sea – it’s the perfect spot to grab a quick bite after a day at the beach, or out on the water. We stopped here after a morning of kayaking and were impressed with the relaxed atmosphere awash with salty beach bodies and good beer.
They have a vegan section on their menu consisting of around 6 options. This is a welcome treat after finding fries or salad to be your only option in most surrounding beach restaurants. Coming in at around €8,50 – €15 per dish, this spot is just a little more expensive than its neighboring establishments. However, ingredients are all locally sourced & each dish can be made gluten-free for just €2 extra.
I opted for the vegan wrap consisting of vegan chicken, homemade mayonnaise, and salad. The chicken came with a particularly peppery taste which offered something different to the overall flavors. I’m not huge on peppery tastes, but my boyfriend loved it. He’s the type of person to put pepper on everything! The soy chicken had a good texture, and the portion size was generous, arriving served with fries. Overall, it was a lovely change of pace and a welcome source of vegan protein.
Hong Kong Palace
This is a cook-to-order family-style Chinese restaurant in the vibrant Fanabe area. There is lots of hustle and bustle beneath the upstairs seating balcony making it a prime spot for people-watching (my favorite pastime – after eating, that is!).
They have mock chicken, tofu, and plenty of vegetables on the menu all of which can be prepared and served in a sauce of your choice. I went for the mock chicken and requested a sweet and sour sauce. The staff were incredibly accommodating and were happy to talk through the menu with me including their amazing cocktail list. I recommend the piña colada!
The portion sizes here were perfect. For me, there’s nothing worse than overindulging and leaving dinner feeling bloated and sluggish after suffering from a serious case of your eyes-bigger-than-your-belly! But here, we were served a perfect portion of fresh food which left us wholly satisfied. Between my boyfriend and I, we had one main each and a shared portion of the white steamed rice.
I adore Chinese food but often struggle to find vegan options. So when we stumbled upon this place, I was very excited to check it out. Their range of vegan options, friendly staff, lively atmosphere, and deliciously fresh food, made this a strong contender on my list of vegan hotspots.
BuedaVida Vegan
The last of my vegan hotspots is the only all-vegan place we visited, and it did not disappoint! It is clearly a hit with tourists and locals alike as you’ll need a reservation to eat here. BuenaVida, named Travellers’ Choice 2022 by Trip Advisor, boasts impressive 5* reviews online. The café also features in Happy Cow’s top 10 vegan/vegetarian restaurants in Tenerife. We found it tucked away in an old mall, making it literally a hidden gem! I loved the rustic homely feel to the interior with walls made up of beautiful artwork and beautiful words.
You can access the menu via a QR code on the tables which will offer you the option of language. Staff, whilst busy, are kind and knowledgeable about the food. We even sampled a free taster of a new recipe – a maize bread with a subtle herby cream dip. It was enough of a taster to get our mouths watering in excited anticipation of the main event.
Their menu is diverse offering starters, mains, sides, and desserts from various cuisines. Whether you’re after gnocchi and arancini from Italy, noodles from Vietnam, or Moroccan falafel salads, you’re sure to find something here that tickles your fancy. Or maybe you’ll be like us – spoilt for choice and wishing that you could try everything!
I ordered the special beyond burger which came in a beautifully vibrant yellow bun and with a side of crispy potatoes. The flavors of the beyond meat, special burger sauce, and fresh salad made for an indulgently delicious meal. Overall, I adored this spot and think it deserves prime location on my list of vegan hotspots here! It’s hard not to get excited about an all-vegan restaurant when you’re in a new place. We were able to relax from the worry of how our food was prepared and feel safe in the knowledge that they understood our requests for ‘no meat, no eggs, no dairy’!
If you do visit any of these places let us know! Or maybe you have some other recommendations in this area. We’d love to hear about them below…
Looking for other vegan hotspots abroad? Why not check out Sekya’s Vegan Voyage series here where you’ll find recommendations for a whole host of countries across Asia and Europe!
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