Because we all love food.

Restaurants are the subject of today’s musing; especially since in my experience so far of the Canary Island sailing life, as well as trying to squeeze in more hours in the day than actually exist, the plan for the day is usually affected by what you (and crew) want for dinner. Each marina has its own qwerks, and the true professionals will allow an excellent restaurant to carry more weight than a lack of facilities – and in one case, my only (and thankfully mild) experience with sea sickness, a six hour beat up the coast of Tenerife. And there were no marina facilities. I am not yet a true professional; facilities are important in my cost/benefit analyses.

A real win is a marina with facilities and a choice of restaurants. We like a good selection of fresh fish, reasonably priced beverages, and friendly staff; but there are additional sailing type requirements. It is nice to find a restaurant where you can literally look like you’ve spent six days on a boat and they won’t judge you. It’s also nice to find a restaurant where you know you will be served food ten minutes before closing time because those final two hours of night sail turned into four. I know a few people who possess reasonable Spanish, however, for the majority the ability by the staff to translate Spanglais with a mild smirk is appreciated.

Each island is so different out here, in terms of style, character and menu, and that’s a huge part of the fun. For within a matter of hours after leaving the previous marina you have island-hopped to step off somewhere entirely different.

I apologise for any sweeping statements, this is purely my experience of the islands so far!

Tenerife is very ex-pat so you can guarantee being able to find wings or burgers or a decent English breakfast, we also located a couple of fishing villages where the fish was about as fresh as you can get, and they will bring you a fish large enough to feed your table. La Gomera has a strong German influence; steaks (beef and tuna!) are both great there, as well as having a surprising Moroccan influence in the occasional marina; anyone for a sunset and chickpeas? Lanzarote is very Spanish, so it is all about the tapas, which for me means gambas, every night, and anything squid ink sauced is glorious, plus we have found a new Teppanyaki! Fuerteventura is what I think of as the Cornwall of the Canaries, so when there it’s all about grilled squid or burgers on the beach; and either way avocado is a must.

The service is eclectic, the portions are unpredictable, the wine is always Vina Sol, the bill may come with a mint or unlimited vodka caramel, the gins are enormous, the staff may act like you are an inconvenience or their favourite customers; and that could be the same staff day on day.

However, this is Spain, if you don’t like it, complain mañana: enjoy your meal!