The Saborea Food Festival is a fantastic event that sees thousands of visitors arrive to taste stunning dishes from some of the island’s most prestigious restaurants.
WHAT IS SABOREA LANZAROTE, WHERE IS IT AND WHEN IS IT?
Organised by Saborea Lanzarote, the local branch of the Saborea España initiative which was launched in 2010 to develop food tourism in various regions of Spain, the fair has become bigger and better every year, the fair takes place over two days during which thousands of visitors are able to sample the very best of Lanzarote’s produce and its restaurants.
This year’s festival will take place in November in Teguise.
TICKETS
Entrance to the fair is free. However, if you want to sample the goods, you’ll have to buy a strip of tickets. These usually come in strips of €1 tickets, each of which can be exchanged for food or drinks at the stalls (prices differ). That way, the stalls don’t have to handle cash and you don’t have to fumble around for change.
DRINKS
Several of Lanzarote’s most important bodegas will be present at the fair, and there’s a chance that this year’s vintages may be available. Keep an eye out for classic wineries such as La Geria and El Grifo, as well as more recent.
Lanzarote craft brewers are likely to make an appearance, with Malpeis, Nao and the Agüita beers from the Los Aljibes brewery.
There’ll be plenty of soft drinks on offer, too, if you want to pace yourself, and if you do fancy hitting the booze, check out the bus trips to the festival.
HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS
A small army of cooks will be at the fair, representing the fine eateries in many of the best hotels, as well as the varied and exciting food culture on the streets of Arrecife, the resorts and other towns. Most of these will have beautifully prepared delicacies on display, and it’s a fantastic way to start planning your next big meal out.
LOCAL SPECIALITIES
Look out for Lanzarote specials such as the prawns from La Santa, Bernardos mermeladas. Local goats and sheep’s cheese, Ave del Paraíso gin, gofio from the windmill in San Bartolomé, sea salt from Janubio, and some of the new vegan restaurants on the island.
EVENTS
There’ll be display cooking events, competitions, talks, children’s activities and much, much more. Many will take place in Spanish, but the language of food is universal.
OUR TIPS
Take your time, buy a few strips of tickets but don’t fill your face immediately… look around. See what you fancy, then make your choice. Take photos of places that impress you, and help yourself to cards and flyers. Find things that you love and then tell your friends.
