Update: La Puerta Verde has changed hands since this was written. It's now run by Stuart and Javier. The overall ambience remains, the menu has changed, but is still excellent, and the desserts are world class!
You’ll find La Puerta Verde on the main road in Haria – come up the hill from Arrieta and after you pass the church and plaza on your left, you’ll see the restaurant on your right. It has a small car park.
German owner Thomas is a superb chef, and his menu changes regularly – indeed it’s written on a blackboard. His style is international, but with an interesting fusion twist. For example, he has taken a staple Canarian starter, Gambas al Aljillo, but has added Asian spices to create Gambas Asiaticas, which is a mouth watering delight of ginger and curry.
Thomas also owns and runs Sal y Pimienta, which is a high class catering company, and he worked previously at both Casa Tegoyo and Ikarus on the island. He’s been here in Lanzarote for nine years.
On arrival, you are likely to be greeted by maitre d’ Patrick who hails from Belgium, and he’ll serve you a drink from the reasonably well stocked bar and explain the menu to you.
As said, the menu varies according to what Thomas has been able to buy, but on the day we visited, we enjoyed:
Chicken sesamé salad – huge, fresh and delicious
Curry and coriander soup – light and surprisingly refreshing
Filet steak in brandy and cream sauce – extremely tasty meat with a stunning sauce, although not the tenderest cut
Duck in a berry sauce served with rosti – absolutely delicious
Dessert of Champagne sorbert – sharp and palate cleansing
Fruit coulis with ice cream and chocolate sauce – amazing, simply amazing!
There are always red meat, white meat and fish options, and it’s perfectly possible to enjoy a range of tapas dishes or starters with a drink sitting on the outdoor tables.
The restaurant is rustic in style, and there’s no need to dress up. The furniture is simple and basic – the quality is in the food and the preparation. For example only fresh vegetables are used, which is rare in Lanzarote. Prices are reasonable, with starters at around €4 and main courses from €10. The wine list isn’t huge, but it is sensibly priced.
For a combination of great food in a relaxed atmosphere, La Puerta Verde is hard to beat. It’s open from lunchtime and evenings on Thursdays to Saturdays only.
La Puerta Verde is situated at Calle Fajardo 24 in Haria, and the telephone number is 928 83 52 65.
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