El Lajar de Bello

The story

El Lajar de Bello: Contemporary Dining in Arona, Tenerife (Michelin Recommended)

El Lajar de Bello is the domain of chef Alejandro Bello, a well-known name in the Canary Islands. His approach is rooted in tradition, but the food itself is decidedly contemporary, a fact recognized by Michelin. The restaurant brings together first-class product, meticulous preparation, and a skilled team to create an experience that is both rooted and forward-looking.

The kitchen is driven by Bello’s belief that tradition plays a fundamental role in cooking. He acts as the 'orchestra conductor' for a team that delivers an authentic explosion of sabor and color. The menu is a showcase of this philosophy, balancing classics with creative tributes to the sea and land. You might begin with Tenerife’s wrinkled black potatoes with a grandmother’s red mojo sauce, or a smoked burrata from Gran Canaria with roasted tomato compote.

Main courses range from a grilled octopus with old potatoes and handmade mojo to a confit cod with its onion gel. Meats include a 16-hour slow-cooked shoulder of suckling lamb and a Canary Island pork jowl lacquered with teriyaki and roasted pineapple. There are also paellas for two, including a black rice with cuttlefish and carabineros. Desserts are equally inventive, offering options like a tropical ingot on basil sponge cake or a volcanic earth, and a unique 'eno-lactic experience.'

The restaurant itself is described as a place where intimacy, gastronomy, and pleasure merge. Housed near the Landa Golf course in Playa de las Américas, it offers both indoor and outdoor seating, providing the setting for a meal that feels like a genuine escape from the routine. The service in the dining room is as important as the food, wrapping the entire experience in a quiet professionalism that makes Bello’s expression of contemporary cuisine feel both grounded and special.