Eating Out in the Old Town of Puerto del Carmen

Our members own a variety of different  businesses around the island of Lanzarote, many of which are restaurants. We were invited one evening by some of our members to eat out at three different restaurants in the Old Town of Puerto del Carmen. 

The restaurants we visited were:

El Ancla Restaurant and Grill (www.elancla-lanzarote.com)

El Ancla serves a variety of different types of food including Pizza and grilled food such as steak. It has an excellent view out towards the Old Town harbour, offering a really authentic dinning experience. You can even see people playing a traditional game of bochas (traditional bowling game) which offers added entertainment. 

Address: 

El Varedero No2 

Old Town, 

Puerto Del Carmen,

Tias 35518 

Lanzarote

Telephone:

+34 928 51 36 39

Emma's Cantina Mexicana (www.emmascantina.com/)

 "Emma’s Cantina Mexicana is the only Mexican restaurant in Lanzarote owned and managed by a Mexican, serving traditional Mexican cuisine and using Mexican products with dishes cooked by a Mexican chef.

Situated in the Old Town of Puerto del Carmen near the picturesque Harbour with easy parking facilities, Emma’s Cantina Mexicana offers a wide selection of Mexican Food including Fajitas, Quesadillas, Nachos, Enchilladas, the best Chili con Carne and Chili Rojo, plus salads and vegetarian versions of the above, amongst many other tasty dishes."

Address:

Calle Teide 20
Old Town
Puerto del Carmen
Tías 35510
Lanzarote

Telephone:

+34 928 51 41 54 

Social Media:

Facebook

Twitter

Kristian's Restaurant (www.kristians-restaurant.com/)

“Kristian's is one of the most popular restaurants in Lanzarote since it opened. The philosophy of the restaurant was simple: seasonal local ingredients, classic dishes with some delightful updates, affordable prices and a friendly welcome.

We have continued this fantastic work that made Kristians such a success, while also bringing some of our qualities that all customers new and old will love.

Chris and I, Eimear, are dedicated to quality, a friendly service, reasonable prices and a keenly priced wine list that will cater for everybody and if you’re not sure please ask.
We look forward to welcoming you to our restaurant and showing you why it is one of the best places in Lanzarote to eat and one of the most popular restaurants in Lanzarote."

Address:

Calle Teide, 8
Old Town, 

Puerto del Carmen
35510 Tias, 

Lanzarote 

Telephone:

 +34 657659217

Social Media:

Facebook

Twitter 

All three restaurants serve very different styles of cuisine, but are all definitely worth visiting. We had an excellent evening out and hope this video inspires you to check out these restaurants.

A big thank you to Kristian's Restaurant for hosting the LBRA members' Coffee Morning

A huge thank you to everyone who attended our members' coffee morning last week on Wednesday 24th February. It was great to be able to get together and celebrate the association's 8th birthday with some of our members. 

As well as enjoying coffee and cakes we were able to catch up on the latest association and island news, make new friends and generally have a good time with plenty of laughs.

A very special thanks to Eimear, Chris and their team from Kristian's Restaurant in Puerto del Carmen for their amazing hospitality, warmth and amazing food! Their restaurant has been open just under three years and continues to go from strength to strength due to the excellent service, equisite food, and lovely atmosphere!

They very kindly provided the venue, coffee and an amazing display of scones, cakes, pastries and cookies. To say everyone was overwhelmed is an understatement; great hospitality and service, thanks guys you were incredible!

While running the restaurant with his partner Eimear, Chris has also managed (after a lot of hard work) to write a book featuring some of his amazing recipes which is available to buy in the restaurant. This is definitely no small feat with a restaurant to run, and two small children!

We are sure after you have eaten the food at Kristian's that you will want to buy a copy, to at least try and make some of the delicious recipes for yourself at home. If you're lucky Chris may even sign a copy for you! 

Just like the LBRA, Kristian's Restaurant has embraced social media so make sure to go follow them on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date with special offers, new recipes and other interesting info!

What makes Christmas and New Year Special in Lanzarote?

The Christmas period, one of the most important times of the year, is almost upon us, with people rushing to get their last minute shopping done! For most people it is a time to eat and drink lots, spend some quality time with their families, and put their feet up and enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation. In many ways therefore Christmas in Lanzarote is very similar to the UK, mainland Europe and many other parts of the world such as the US and Canada. 

Christmas lights in Arrecife (Photo Credit: Diario de Lanzarote)

 Although there is a real festive spirit in Lanzarote with Christmas lights in most of the towns and villages, Christmas trees in almost every home, and kids excited for their presents, there are some big differences as well though. One of the most noticeable differences for anyone who is on holiday in Lanzarote over the Christmas period from other European countries, especially Northern Europe, is how warm it still is. It almost doesn't feel like Christmas as there are average temperature highs of around 19 - 20 °C throughout December and January. 

Many people are at the beach still sunbathing and swimming. Even with the unseasonably warm weather in the UK at the moment, this would still be unthinkable! Places like Australia are expected to have Christmas at the beach as it is summertime there, whereas the Canary Islands are actually in the middle of winter. Winter in the Canaries are a lot different to the rest of Europe though! 

You can still comfortably swim in Lanzarote in December!

Although there are many cultural similarities with the UK during Christmas time, because the Canary Islands are technically part of Spain the majority of people living in Lanzarote celebrate Christmas according to Spanish traditions. Unlike in the UK, Christmas Eve is just as important as Christmas Day. Many people go to Midnight Mass. Before this service families sit down together to enjoy their main Christmas meal which is traditionally roast Turkey stuffed with truffles, and roast vegetables. 

While some presents are given on Christmas Day, the 6th of January is actually the day when most presents are given to family members. This is due to another part of the Christmas Story which is celebrated in Spain called  'Fiesta de Los tres Reyes Mages' which means 'The festival of the three Magic Kings'. This is from the three kings or wise men brought gifts for baby Jesus. Children leave out shoes on windowsills or under the Christmas tree at night time on January 5th to be filled with presents. In Lanzarote just like other parts of Spain there is a Three Wise Men Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) through the streets of the main towns, with the biggest  and most popular being in Arrecife. There are floats with kids throwing out sweets, and three men dressed as the wise men riding camels, with a great family atmosphere!

Three Wise Men Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) in Playa Blanca (Photo Credit: Diario de Lanzarote)

In Spanish, New Year's eve is called 'Nochevieja' or 'The Old Night'. Traditionally families are with each other at home until midnight, at which time everyone eats 12 grapes, one for each of the 12 strokes of the clock. If you manage to finish all your grapes in the time, then this is supposed be sign of good luck for the next year. As with the rest of the world though, in Lanzarote there are fireworks let off around the island! 

Many of the towns and villages have miniature versions of the towns, and features of Lanzarote on display including nativity scenes incorporated into them. These are set up every year about a month before Christmas and are on display for the public, drawing a lot of interest, as they are very well designed and put together.

A miniature village scene in Haria

Whether you are spending the Christmas and New Year period enjoying the lovely weather and culture of Lanzarote, or are reading this from your back home, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the LBRA team!