El Secreto de Chimiche

The story

El Secreto de Chimiche: Bib Gourmand Restaurant in Granadilla de Abona, Tenerife

A Converted Packing House in the Abona Foothills

In the quiet foothills of Abona, a former tomato packer now houses El Secreto de Chimiche, a restaurant that has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its good quality, good value cooking. The name hints at the atmosphere: private and discreet, set among fig trees, prickly pear cacti, and volcanic jable pumice, away from the main roads of southern Tenerife. The space keeps a simple, fresh, and elegant feel, with a private area for events, business meals, or family dinners.

Cooking with Embers and Local Roots

The kitchen, led by chef Roberto Castro, focuses on the comforting heat of glowing embers and a menu that returns to the roots of the local harvest. Ingredients from the Chasna area are prominent, shaped by the arid terrain. The menu is a mix of tradition and modernity, with dishes like gofio paste “a tribute to our shepherds,” almogrote served with milk bread, and premium steak tartare. The “Sea of embers” section includes grilled rice with squid noodles and fresh fish roasted with marine chimichurri, while the chargrilled and matured meats feature a premium aged beef chop and a traditional goat meat stew.

Volcanic Tasting Menus

For a deeper exploration, two tasting menus are available. The “Volcanic Origin” menu (52€) starts with small bites like goat meat pastrami and crispy liver, then moves through tomato textures, Pelibüey lamb cannelloni, and a Prince Albert chocolate dessert. The “Land of volcanic sand” menu (76€) adds a gofio pancake with smoked fish and watercress, root vegetables cooked “under the embers,” and a bean stew with Canarian black pork. Both menus are a commitment to the surrounding landscape and the island’s culinary heritage.