How to dine Canarian style

Teleclubs, sociedades and cofradias offer a great way to discover local Canarian food. Here’s our guide on how to dine Canarian style.

Teleclubs were formed in the 1960s with the aim of keeping the Spanish people informed. Most homes did not own a TV set back then, so thousands were sent to social centres around Spain, creating important meeting places for locals who wanted to watch news, football, or entertainment. The idea was very popular on Lanzarote, which still has around 50 teleclubs.

Sociedades (Societies) are similar meeting places, rather like village halls, where locals meet and carry out social activities. In many cases, the teleclub and the sociedad are the same establishment.

At sociedades and teleclubs, a family was usually given the responsibility of serving food and drinks, and hearty local Canarian cooking has always been the basis of what’s on offer. There’ll usually be several dishes on offer, and it’s always worth asking what’s on the menú del día – a fixed-price three course lunch with two or three options of starter, main course, and dessert.

These places often offer modern fast food, too, such as pizza, burgers, and the ubiquitous racing sandwich.

Cofradias (Brotherhoods) on Lanzarote are fishermen’s societies, which also often run a restaurant. As you’d expect, fish and seafood take priority, and these places often offer the freshest fish on the island.

Some of the island’s most popular teleclubs are in the heart of the island, with the teleclubs at Tao, Los Valles, Mozaga, Teseguite and El Islote near San Bartolomé all well-known for good food. La Tegala in the central square of Haría is another beautiful old teleclub, and the more modern one at Mácher has many regular ex-pat visitors.

As for Cofradías, you’ll find their restaurants in Arrecife’s Puerto Naos, the harbours of Puerto del Carmen’ and Playa Blanca and on Playa Honda seafront.

Typical Lanzarote dishes you may find at a teleclub or cofradia include:

Maize soup with pork ribs (Caldo de Millo)

Stewed goat meat (Carne de cabra)

Fried moray eel (Morena Frita)

Marinaded tuna (Atun en adobo)

Fried cheese (Queso Frito)