Restaurante El Barquillo (El Sótano)

Tucked just off the seafront promenade in the small fishing village of La Santa, Restaurante El Barquillo — better known to locals as El Sótano — sits at Calle Recalmon 22, a step below street level and a world away from the tourist trail. The setting is unpretentious and unhurried, with the kind of atmosphere that only comes from a place that has earned its reputation one honest plate at a time.

The menu centres on what the sea provides: fresh fish of the day, plump prawns, tender octopus, and a well-made paella that draws regulars back week after week. Local Lanzarote white wine is served alongside, the perfect match for the straightforward, flavour-forward cooking. It is the kind of place where the food does the talking.

El Sótano is a genuine local favourite, and it shows — the place is almost always busy. No reservations are taken, so arrive early or be prepared to wait. It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 22:00, and closed on Monday and Tuesday. Walk-ins only, and well worth it.