Ruben Chorlton-Owen, 25, from North Wales, visited Tenerife with his girlfriend and was taken aback by the price of food compared to back home. He recently shared his travel story online
Ruben Chorlton-Owen was left floored by the food in Tenerife(Image: Ruben Chorlton-Owen)
A Welsh tourist who recently visited Tenerife has exposed his thoughts on the dramatic difference in food costs compared to back here in the UK. Ruben Chorlton-Owen, 25, from North Wales, shared his perspective from his Canary Islands holiday, keen to update others about his travel experience.
The social media influencer, who boasts over 100,000 Instagram followers, pointed out the significant differences he noticed while away, with some findings being especially surprising. During his week-long trip with his girlfriend, the pair had a wonderful time, although the price of meals grabbed his attention.
This isn’t the first time such observations have surfaced in Tenerife either. Previously, another tourist expressed similar astonishment at their restaurant bill at the location.
Ruben commented: “We ate at a number of restaurants in Playa de las Americas, including Savoy Restaurant. The food was consistently excellent, with generous portions, friendly staff and great service.
“Everywhere we ate felt like fantastic value for money, especially compared to what we’d usually expect to pay back home. I expected Tenerife to be a bit cheaper than the UK, but I genuinely didn’t expect the difference to be so significant.
“We found ourselves eating out much more because everything felt so affordable, and it was nice not having to constantly think about the cost every time we ordered food or drinks.”
During their visit to Savoy restaurant in Playa de las Americas, the duo opted for a set menu priced at just €13.95 (£11.93). Both tried the standard and Chinese-style offerings, essentially savouring what felt like four courses between them, including starters, mains (with fillet steak available), desserts and extra Chinese dishes.
Back in Britain, Ruben remembered spending £23 on a chicken chorizo linguine – a single dish that cost almost twice the price of a complete three-course meal in Tenerife. He pointed out this wasn’t a one-off example of such a dramatic price difference.
He commented: “The difference was huge. A three-course meal in Tenerife cost less than what I’d often pay for a single main course in the UK.
“Breakfasts, coffees, drinks and evening meals all felt noticeably cheaper, while the quality of the food was still excellent. It was an amazing holiday.
“The weather was brilliant, the atmosphere was relaxed, the beaches were beautiful and everyone we met was very friendly. We also visited Siam Park and went on a boat trip, which were both highlights of the holiday.
“I love exploring new destinations, so I’m always keen to visit somewhere different, but Tenerife is somewhere I’d happily return to in the future.”
Ruben also believed the location offered exceptional value for money, calling it “one of the best-value holidays” he’d ever experienced, considering the weather, accommodation, cuisine, beverages and range of activities available. When it comes to eating out, he also offered some helpful advice to get the most from your budget while there.
In his view, there are numerous ways to uncover some of the most cost effective spots to visit.
“I’d definitely recommend exploring beyond your hotel and trying local restaurants rather than just sticking to the tourist hotspots,” he added. “Compare menus before choosing somewhere to eat because there are some fantastic deals available.
“Tenerife has so much more to offer than just the beaches, so take the time to explore different parts of the island and support local businesses.”