From Catalonia to the Canaries: Spain brings coastal flavours to T.O. amid airlift growth

If some of Spain’s top Chefs could throw a dinner party, this might be what it would look like.

Last Thursday (June 18), the Tourist Office of Spain invited media and industry partners on a culinary journey across some of the country’s most distinctive coastal regions, transforming downtown Toronto’s Beso restaurant by Patria into a passport-free journey from Catalonia to the Canary Islands.

Presented in collaboration with Tasting Spain (Saborea España)—a collective and network dedicated to showcasing the country’s rich gastronomic heritage through its farmers, producers, chefs and restaurants—the six-course seafood feast offered a flavour-packed tour of Cambrils, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Castelldefels (Barcelona).

Guided by visiting Spanish Chefs Sergi Palacín (Cambrils), Alejandro Mederos (Gran Canaria), Yeray Gil (Lanzarote) and Manuel Ángel Ortiz Chumillas (Castelldefels – Barcelona), alongside Toronto-based Chef Joel Frias, guests experienced how dramatically Spain’s landscapes, traditions and local ingredients shape regional cuisine.

From octopus croquetas and yellowfin tuna to romesco fritters (paried with a fisherman’s stew) to scarlet shrimp tartare with mojo sauces to to sea bass bathed in Canarian beurre blanc, each course served as a delicious reminder that in Spain, geography is best understood one bite – and glass of sangria or sparkling cava – at a time.

“Spain is doing really well”

The night, which also welcomed tourism representatives from various Spanish regions, followed closely on the heels of Toronto’s Tapas Week (June 15–21), held in conjunction with World Tapas Day on June 16.

Together, the celebrations spotlighted one of Spain’s most enduring culinary traditions while reinforcing gastronomy’s growing role as a powerful gateway to the country’s culture, communities and travel experiences.

It was timely, as Spain continues to see strong growth from the Canadian market, with approximately 650,000 Canadians now visiting the country annually.

“Spain is doing really well,” said Isabel Martin-Benitez, director of the Spain Tourist Office in Toronto, for Canada, addressing the room before dinner. 

One of the most encouraging trends is that Canadians are staying longer, she said. The average trip length has increased from six days in 2024 to nine days.

Air connectivity between Canada and Spain is also reaching new heights. In 2026, there will be 17 direct flight routes between the two countries, up from just eight in 2022.

This expansion includes seven new routes introduced this year, significantly improving access to destinations across Spain.

Recent additions include Air Canada's service from Montreal to Palma de Mallorca, as well as the airline's direct flights from Toronto and Montreal to Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

Air Transat has added flights from both Montreal and Toronto to Gran Canaria for its winter 2026–2027 schedule.

WestJet has launched direct service between Halifax and Madrid, while Iberia, as previously reported, recently introduced a direct Toronto–Madrid route.

READ MORE: Iberia lands in Toronto with ambitious growth plans — and eyes Montreal

Although some services may operate seasonally, Spain positions itself as a year-round destination, Martin-Benitez explained.

One of Spain's major advantages for travellers is its ease of exploration. The country boasts Europe's largest high-speed rail network and the second-largest in the world after China.

“It's very easy to go from one city to the next in Spain,” Martin-Benitez said.

Combined with extensive domestic air connections, including routes to Spain's islands, visitors can easily experience multiple regions during a single trip.

Spain's diversity remains one of its strongest attractions. Each region offers its own distinctive culture, traditions, gastronomy, and heritage.

The country's mild climate and more than 3,000 hours of sunshine annually also make it an appealing escape for Canadians, particularly during the winter months.

But gastronomy continues to be a key draw.

Spain is home to 291 Michelin-starred restaurants, including 16 with the coveted three-star designation, while its strong farm-to-table traditions and regional culinary identities ensure exceptional dining experiences at every level, said Martin-Benitez.

All eyes on Gran Canaria

Prior to dinner, Pedro Pérez of the Gran Canaria Tourism Board in Canada and USA, shared some gastronomic background with attendees.

Gran Canaria, a volcanic island with black lava and white sand beaches, is located about 150 kilometres off the northwestern coast of Africa and about 1,350 km from Europe.

The island, “which has a nearly-perfect round shape,” enjoys a mild climate year-round and features eight distinct microclimates, Pérez explained.

Often called an island of contrasts, Gran Canaria offers everything from the golden Maspalomas Dunes and Atlantic coastline in the south to dramatic volcanic landscapes, ancient calderas, and iconic landmarks such as Roque Nublo and Roque Bentayga.

Higher elevations reveal lush pine forests and green hills, particularly in Tamadaba Natural Park.

The island’s rich culture reflects a blend of influences, showcased in attractions such as the Casa de Colón (Columbus' House), the Painted Cave (an archaeological museum and park in the town of Galdar), and carnival celebrations that highlight its African, Spanish, and Brazilian heritage.

Gran Canaria is renowned for its cuisine. Local specialties include volcanic wines, craft beer and cider, traditional breads (from corn to egg), wrinkled potatoes served with mojo sauce (a blend of olive oil, coriander, vinegar and garlic) and gofio, a toasted grain used in both savoury and sweet dishes, like ice cream.

Gran Canaria is also known for its distinctive goat and sheep cheeses.

“Our sheep and goats go from coast to mountain, eating different plants, giving the cheese a distinct and very special taste,” Pérez explained. 

Additionally, the fertile Valle de Agaete is home to Europe’s only coffee plantation, where visitors can experience locally-grown coffee firsthand.

Meanwhile, traditional desserts. such as almond cream, sweet potato pastries and marzipan, reflect the island’s Moorish and Spanish roots.

Cambrils: a hidden coastal gem

Cambrils, meanwhile, is a destination in Spain that travellers from Canada may not know.

“That's completely normal…and a good thing,” said Vadim Koryagin, manager of the Cambrils Tourism Board, “because it's a hidden gem. It’s something to discover.”

Located on the Costa Dorada, one of Spain’s most popular coastal regions, the Mediterranean town of around 35,000 residents offers a unique blend of gastronomy, culture, history, and authentic local life.

Just a one-hour drive south of Barcelona, Cambrils is an ideal complement to a visit to the city, offering travellers a slower-paced experience. It is also only 12 kilometres from PortAventura World, one of Europe’s largest theme parks, making it particularly attractive for families visiting the region.

What truly distinguishes Cambrils is its reputation as the gastronomic capital of the Costa Dorada.

“Gastronomy helps us discover places off the beaten path...and Cambrils would be one of those places,” Koryagin said.

The town has preserved the charm of a traditional Mediterranean fishing village, where visitors can still witness the daily arrival of fresh catches from the sea.

Fish and seafood move directly from the harbour to the town’s nearly 200 restaurants, creating an exceptional dining scene.

Remarkably, two of these restaurants continue to hold Michelin stars, reflecting the high quality of the local culinary sector.

Cambrils’ gastronomic identity is further enriched by its outstanding agricultural products, particularly its award-winning extra virgin olive oil, and by the presence of one of Catalonia’s leading culinary schools.

Together, these elements create a vibrant food culture rooted in both tradition and innovation.

The town also benefits from its location in the heart of the province of Tarragona, a region renowned for its rich history and wine production.

Tarragona was one of the earliest Roman settlements on the Iberian Peninsula and boasts more than 2,000 years of history, with its Roman archaeological sites recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The province is also home to eight denominations of origin, making it one of Spain’s most diverse wine-producing regions.

“Imagine, in a range of only one hour of driving, you can visit almost 500 different winemakers,” said Koryagin. “There's nowhere else in Spain with that much variety.”

The flavours that best define Cambrils are simple and authentic: fresh Mediterranean fish and seafood, paired with local extra virgin olive oil and a glass of wine from one of the region’s celebrated appellations.

“This blend [of characteristics], in a small spot, is what makes us unique,” said Koryagin.

Lanzarote: “Another world”

Then there’s Lanzarote, the easternmost of Spain’s Canary Islands, lies approximately 125 km off the coast of West Africa.

Well connected to the other Canary Islands, it serves as a gateway for exploring the archipelago while offering a unique identity of its own, explained María Cañarán of Tasting Lanzarote.

Shaped by volcanic activity, Lanzarote is another island of contrasts. In just a short drive, visitors can experience dramatic changes in landscape, from vast lava fields and volcanic peaks to whitewashed villages and coastal scenery.

This diversity is reflected not only in the environment but also in the island’s gastronomy, culture, and way of life.

A central figure in Lanzarote’s modern history is the artist, sculptor, painter, and environmental visionary César Manrique.

His work helped shape the island’s distinctive approach to tourism, promoting harmony between development, culture, and the natural environment.

Lanzarote is internationally recognized for its environmental leadership. The entire island has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993, reflecting its pioneering role in sustainability.

Off the northern coast lies the Chinijo Archipelago Natural Park, home to Europe’s largest marine reserve, while the spectacular Timanfaya National Park showcases some of the island’s most extraordinary volcanic landscapes.

The island’s gastronomy is another defining feature. In 2025, Lanzarote became the first European island to receive the FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) designation, recognizing its unique agricultural traditions.

One of the most remarkable examples is La Geria, where vines are cultivated in deep hollows of volcanic ash and protected by semicircular stone walls.

This extraordinary landscape produces distinctive organic wines. “This is one of the most fascinating landscapes that you can discover in Lanzarote,” said Cañarán.

Lanzarote's volcanic scenery, protected environments, and renowned wines create an atmosphere that often feels like “another world,” said Cañarán.

The island is easily accessible, too, located just 35 minutes by air from Gran Canaria, 45 minutes from Tenerife, and around two and a half hours from mainland Spain.

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