A Welsh holidaymaker who recently travelled to Tenerife says he was left stunned by the stark contrast in food prices at restaurants on the Spanish island compared to places back in Wales.
Influencer's Experience
Ruben Chorlton-Owen, 25, from North Wales, spoke about his Canary Islands break, eager to inform others about his experience. The social media influencer, who has amassed over 100,000 Instagram followers, was determined to highlight the notable distinctions he observed while overseas, with certain aspects catching him off guard.
During his week-long getaway with his girlfriend, despite having a wonderful time, he found himself fixated on dining costs.
Price Comparison
Ruben explained: "We ate at a number of restaurants in Playa de las Americas, including Savoy Restaurant. The food was consistently excellent, with generous portions, friendly staff and great service. Everywhere we ate felt like fantastic value for money, especially compared to what we'd usually expect to pay back home. I expected Tenerife to be a bit cheaper than the UK, but I genuinely didn't expect the difference to be so significant."
"We found ourselves eating out much more because everything felt so affordable, and it was nice not having to constantly think about the cost every time we ordered food or drinks."
During their visit to Savoy restaurant in Playa de las Americas, they selected a set menu for just €13.95 (£11.93). They sampled both the traditional and Chinese-style offerings, essentially receiving four courses between them, comprising starters, mains (with fillet steak on offer), desserts and additional Chinese selections.
Back home in the UK, Ruben mentioned he'd paid £23 for a chicken chorizo linguine – just a single dish – which is nearly double what the entire three-course Tenerife meal cost. He pointed out this wasn't an isolated example of such a striking price disparity.
Value for Money
He explained: "The difference was huge. A three-course meal in Tenerife cost less than what I'd often pay for a single main course in the UK. Breakfasts, coffees, drinks and evening meals all felt noticeably cheaper, while the quality of the food was still excellent. It was an amazing holiday."
"The weather was brilliant, the atmosphere was relaxed, the beaches were beautiful and everyone we met was very friendly. We also visited Siam Park and went on a boat trip, which were both highlights of the holiday."
"I love exploring new destinations, so I'm always keen to visit somewhere different, but Tenerife is somewhere I'd happily return to in the future."
He believed the location represented outstanding value for money as well. Considering the climate, lodgings, cuisine, beverages and all available activities, Ruben described it as "one of the best-value holidays" he'd experienced.
Tips for Visitors
When it comes to dining out, he also shared some valuable tips to help you get the most for your money should you visit. He revealed there are certain tricks to tracking down the finest spots.
"I'd definitely recommend exploring beyond your hotel and trying local restaurants rather than just sticking to the tourist hotspots," he added. "Compare menus before choosing somewhere to eat because there are some fantastic deals available. Tenerife has so much more to offer than just the beaches, so take the time to explore different parts of the island and support local businesses."
