Tenerife Landmark Casa Perico to Close as Traditional Guachinches Face Uncertain Future
The beloved Tenerife restaurant Casa Perico is set to close permanently in two months as its owners retire, highlighting the struggle of traditional Canarian eateries to survive amidst mass tourism and modernization.
The owners of Casa Perico, a beloved restaurant on Camino Atravesado in Los Realejos, are retiring. Their departure highlights a growing challenge for traditional Canarian eateries: a lack of younger generations ready to take over. As noted by the social media account @guachinchesmodernos, this Tenerife landmark will close its doors for good in two months, marking the end of an era for local dining.
This closure is more than just the loss of a restaurant; it signals the decline of the traditional guachinche—a casual, home-style venue where local wine is served in a domestic setting. These businesses often struggle to adapt to modern demands. Many operate without digital payment systems or formal management structures, relying instead on a traditional, trust-based approach that is increasingly at odds with today’s fast-paced, tourist-heavy environment.
Casa Perico, which holds a 4.3 rating on review sites, has also felt the pressures of social media fame. The sudden surge in popularity led to such high demand that the restaurant had to temporarily close last year due to the unruly behavior of some visitors. It serves as a reminder that these small, family-run businesses are not equipped to handle mass tourism and deserve to be treated with respect.
The restaurant’s menu has remained a constant, featuring classic dishes like salted fish with papas arrugadas (wrinkled potatoes), meatballs, octopus, beans, and the traditional timba dessert. With prices as low as 53 euros for a meal for five, it offered a level of value that is becoming increasingly rare in the modern hospitality industry.
For those hoping to visit one last time, Casa Perico is open Monday through Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is closed on Fridays and Sundays. The loss of this establishment serves as a sobering reflection on how mass tourism and digitalization are changing the islands' unique culinary heritage.