Tajinaste del Refugio

The French dining room at Cruz de Tejeda

Tajinaste is the dining room of the Hotel Rural El Refugio, ten metres from the cross at Cruz de Tejeda along the GC-150. The hotel presents it as its French dining room and opens it to the public, not just guests. It serves two things, breakfast and dinner, and it works for dining on the ridge without going down to Tejeda or San Mateo.

A set-menu dinner, French style

In the evening there is no long menu: dinner is a set menu, inspired by French cooking and made with fresh local produce. The website does not publish the dishes or the price, and the menu changes, so ask what there is and how much it costs when you book. If you have an allergy or are vegetarian, say so at that moment: the website says nothing about special options.

A buffet breakfast to start the route

From 8:00 to 10:30 there is a buffet breakfast with bread, regional cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruit, yoghurt and a hot dish. For guests it is included; those coming from outside can ask whether there is room. From the door the royal roads leave for Tejeda, Artenara or the Roque Nublo.

Winter and summer hours

Breakfasts all year from 8:00 to 10:30. Dinners in winter from 18:30 to 21:00 and in summer from 19:00 to 21:30. There is no midday meal: at that hour the hotel has only 24-hour food and drink machines, and for lunch you have to go down to Tejeda. Always book dinner, on 639 56 53 89 or 928 66 65 13, by email at [email protected] or with the table booking button on its website.

Dining and staying on the ridge

Dining early here fits with the stargazing at the Llanos de la Pez, a quarter of an hour away, or with an afternoon at the Parador spa, on the other side of the cross. The hotel is adults only: if you are with children, ask beforehand whether you can dine.

Arriving at night

From Las Palmas, take the GC-15 to km 24.5, at Cruz de Tejeda; there you turn left onto the GC-150 and the hotel entrance is ten metres along. It has its own parking. Bus 305 stops at Cruz de Tejeda, but at night there is no return service: come by car or sleep up here.