A Culinary Gem in the Heart of Santa Cruz
In Tenerife’s capital, Santa Cruz, one restaurant has become an essential destination for lovers of Spanish rice dishes. This is Restaurante El Picú, an establishment that has been open for seven years and stands out for the exceptional quality of its cooking. The food content creators behind @guachinchesmodernos recently visited and were quick to share their delightful experience with their followers. “There’s a rice restaurant in the centre of Santa Cruz we’ve had our eye on for a while,” they stated.
A Feast of Traditional and Modern Spanish Flavours
Their culinary journey began with a classic tortilla served as an appetiser. For starters, they chose tomato with burrata to whet the appetite. They also indulged in a special request from Jonay for piquillo peppers stuffed with meat, which was “off-menu,” alongside classic garlic prawns. As a complimentary gesture from the house, “the lady insisted we please try the Iberian ham and leek croquettes,” they explain in their video.
The Star of the Show: Authentic Paella Valenciana
Rice is one of the restaurant’s fortes. “They have a great variety of rice dishes, and for the one we tried, they use organic Calasparra rice,” they explain. The creators chose the Paella Valenciana, prepared with the four essential ingredients: chicken, rabbit, butter beans, and flat green beans. “Here, they say this is the authentic Paella Valenciana,” they comment.
Sweet Finale and Practical Details
To finish, they sampled the ‘torrija’ (Spanish French toast) with ice cream and a mille-feuille, whose size they particularly noted: “We’ve never been served one so long.” Restaurante El Picú is located at Calle Imeldo Serís, 106, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. It boasts a 4.6-star rating on Google, reflecting the high satisfaction of its patrons. The restaurant opens on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, service begins later, at 1:00 pm. The establishment is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for staff rest.

