What to Eat in Fuerteventura | My 14 Favourite Foods

A few years back I wrote a post on the flavours of Fuerteventura. I focussed a lot on Canarian cuisine and you guys loved it. So, I decided to write a guide on what to eat in Fuerteventura. I am going to focus on a bit of everything, including food that may not be Canarian or Spanish.

If you are new to my blog, my husband’s family practically lived out here during the Summer each year. I’ve visited the island with him numerous times and have learnt a lot from it. Being a massive foodie, I think I’m in an excellent position to help you discover your new favourite dish on this stunning island.

What to Eat in Fuerteventura | My 14 Favourite Foods

1. Linseed Bread

We start off with the humble linseed bread. There are loads of excellent bakeries on the island, with my personal favourite being Mi Dolce Hogar in Villaverde. One bread that regularly kicks off a meal out is linseed bread. I don’t know what it is, but linseed bread from Fuerteventura just tastes better. Lots of restaurants also serve this with a creamy dipping sauce… Delicious!

2. Fresh Octopus

Octopus is a staple in Fuerteventura. Some close family friends actually go out with their families regularly to catch octopus in the rockpools of El Cotillo. A really simple dish is grilled octopus, fried potatoes and olive oil. It is really light and tasty, making it perfect for tapas. A must-try on the island.

3. Canarian Potatoes

If you have read my Flavours of Fuerteventura post, you’ll know that my husband always raves about canarian potatoes. Extra salty potatoes, served in an authentic, red mojo sauce, is divine. If you ever wonder what to eat in Fuerteventura, start with this. You won’t forget it.

4. Majorero Cheese… Lots of it

Majorero cheese is a goat’s cheese found in the Canary Islands, specifically Fuerteventura. It has a mozzarella-like texture with a stronger taste, but is delicious. When we are on the island we get through plenty of this. You can have it in a bocadillo, in salads or even fried in pastry with a jam. I actually wrote a blog-post on the museum dedicated to it outside of Antigua. Well-worth a visit if you can!

5. Frittata

Okay, okay… This one is obvious as it is a Spanish island. However, the locals do make a fabulous frittata. The ones made by our family friends are the best I have ever had. That being said, there is a rather unique close contender. We recently discovered the restaurant of El Moral in Villaverde, formerly the old venue of Casa Marcus (now moved down the road). Both restaurants serve “huevos amarrados“, essentially frittata in the shape of an egg. This is really creamy and delicious. If you can venture to Villaverde, you won’t regret it.

6. Fresh Fish

Being an island, fresh fish is common in Fuerteventura. A lot of restaurants supposedly serve it, but I would be cautious in Corralejo. In my opinion, if you want the best fish on the island, go somewhere a bit smaller. The older town of El Cotillo, or further south in Ajuy, is perfect for seafood. There is nothing nicer than a fried piece of white fish, served with chips and salad, by the sea.

7. Goat Meat

My post on what to eat in Fuerteventura would not be complete without goat meat. I must say that, once you get over the goat, the meat is tasty. The goat is the national symbol of the island and was/ is really important to their lives. Needless to say, they know how to cook it well. Don’t knock it until you try it.

8. Aubergines, cheese and palm honey

This is a dish I have only ever had in Fuerteventura. They cut very thin slices of aubergine, bread it and fry it in milk. They then add lots of Majorero cheese and palm honey. The fusion of flavours is one of my favourite things to eat on the island. Lots of authentic restaurants will do this, so you may not find it in the tourist traps. As I’ve said in my other posts, I personally like the one served at El Horno.

9. Chocolatey Desserts

A bit of a curveball, I know. However, I end up eating a lot of these in Fuerteventura and it is always good. A common, traditional dessert is the Prince Albert, effectively a Canarian variant of the tiramisu. However, I would also say it is a bit like a chocolate mousse, but with almond biscuits in. Either way – absolutely delicious.

10. Pizza!

A running joke is that my husband is obsessed with pizza. Whilst I am mostly the dispenser of these, having seen the pizza he grew up on I’m not surprised. The pizza here is always cheesy and crispy, with a sauce jam-packed with herbs. Abuela Maria in Villaverde is good, but to be honest I’ve never had bad pizza here.

11. Calamari

Squid are really common around Fuerteventura and, like octopus, are a staple. Most restaurants will therefore serve calamari. However, it is the first place I’ve ever been where it is served as a main meal. There is an excellent, lesser-known restaurant in Villaverde called Escanfraga. They serve a massive portion of calamari with chips and a salad. It is always so fresh and delicious; definitely go there if you can.

12. Garlic Prawns

My brother-in-law loves eating garlic prawns in Fuerteventura. Apparently he has been the same since he was young and, to be honest, he is not wrong. Prawns are again found across the island and are used a lot in the cuisine. As a starter, I love having these and then mopping up the sauce with the linseed bread. The thought of it just reminds me of a summer holiday!

13. Fresh Cake and Pastries

Each time I visit Fuerteventura, I have some outstanding cake. I never expect to either; it isn’t like Germany where that expectation is just there. Mi Dulce Hogar in Villaverde is mentioned on the blog a lot, but I also want to shout out El Goloso de Cotillo. I adore the chocolate pastries here and they are perfect to begin a beach day at La Concha.

14. Paella

A go-to at a party in Fuerteventura is, of course, paella. Made at home, on the beach or in a restaurant, the fresh ingredients make this dish. A special thing about this dish is that it is perfect for sharing amongst friends and family. I know that it reminds my husband of some awesome times growing up. Apparently they would go to the beaches near the lighthouse in El Cotillo and feast on paella, tortilla and fresh bread in the evening. Sounds like my idea of heaven.

Final Thoughts – What to Eat in Fuerteventura

I hope that this post has helped you decide what to eat in Fuerteventura. I know that a lot of this is not “traditional” Canary Island food, but I wanted to highlight some things that I know you will enjoy out there. If you had to try one thing from this list, make it the mojo sauce or Majorero cheese. You won’t find these anywhere else and they are, quite simply, delicious.

What to Eat in Fuerteventura | My 14 Favourite Foods