El Capricho de Juanita, Meloneras
Tucked into a side street just off the Meloneras promenade, El Capricho de Juanita is the kind of small, family-run Canarian restaurant that locals actually eat at — which in a resort area is a rare and precious thing. The menu is short, the ingredients are fresh and the papas arrugadas with house-made mojo are the benchmark by which all others in the south should be judged.
What to Order
Start with the papas arrugadas — small potatoes boiled in heavily salted water until the skin crinkles and a fine white salt crust forms. Order both mojos: the rojo (roasted red pepper and cumin) and the verde (fresh coriander and garlic). Dip liberally and repeat.
For mains, the fresh fish of the day (pescado del día) is sourced from the fish market in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and arrives simply grilled with a drizzle of local olive oil and a wedge of lemon. The cherne (wreckfish) when available is outstanding — firm, white and sweet.
Atmosphere and Booking
The dining room is small — perhaps ten tables — with whitewashed walls, terracotta floor tiles and a blackboard menu that changes daily depending on what came off the boats. The owner often doubles as the waiter, which means service is personal and unhurried.
Lunch (2–4 pm) is the main meal of the day here as it is across Spain; arrive for lunch rather than dinner for the fullest menu and the most authentic experience. Reservations are strongly recommended for weekend lunches — call ahead or ask your hotel to book.
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