Bar San Fermin — Restaurant in San Bartolomé de Tirajana

I will not disparage this place too much, since I enjoy the atmosphere, the casual vibes, and the simplicity it offers. This place has grown on me since I've moved here, and was fast becoming my local favourite. I will also add that I have never found any fault with the food, or service from the waitresses that have served me here 👍.

What triggered me to write this review is the following...

I was sat outdoors at a table for 2, where half the table was just in the shade (since it was the afternoon during the May pride event) and a gentleman (who I understand to be the owner) approached me to say that I could not sit there, and that I'd have to move into the seats being drowned in blazing sunshine, or inside. I questioned why, to which the response was (I'm paraphrasing) "it's a busy day for business, this shaded area is for tourists, not locals and you're by yourself". Aside from having to hear this myself, imagine hearing this from a local business, especially if you are a resident who has lived here your entire life (which I have not). Appalling. There was no reasoning, or sympathy shown.

Ironically, this was during Gay Pride, a day for celebrating different beliefs, values, and accepting/acknowledging that we are all human. So you can imagine my dismay at being effectively asked to segregate (although the one silver lining is that I was labelled a local, which I will take as a compliment).

I'm a reasonable person so I will highlight a few points. Yes, this place is close to the centre of the event, and yes it was a sunny day with lots of foot traffic in the area. However, I only asked for a Pan Catalan (bread with ham on it, a small plate) and an espresso. I'd have been done within 20 mins. This was also before the parade itself had started. In fact, considerably before.

To wrap up... I am not a vindictive person. In fact, I have only ever left reviews to support businesses where I've had a great experience (whether the conversation with staff, food, experience in general etc.). So, the mere fact that I have taken time to write this should be an indicator of my current feeling.

If you made it this far, 🍻 cheers...

A Hidden Gem for Authentic Spanish Tapas!

Bar San Fermín is an absolute treasure in Las Palmas! If you’re looking for authentic, delicious, and budget-friendly Spanish tapas, this is the place to be. The moment I walked in, I felt the lively and welcoming energy of a true local tapas bar. It’s a no-frills, laid-back spot where the focus is purely on great food, great drinks, and great company.

The tapas here are exceptional—flavorful, fresh, and perfectly cooked. The Patatas Bravas had the perfect balance of crispy and soft with a rich, smoky sauce. The Tortilla Española was perfectly golden, soft inside, and bursting with flavor. And their sangria? Absolutely divine! Refreshing, fruity, and just the right amount of sweetness.

One of the best parts of the experience was the warm and friendly service. The staff was incredibly attentive and made sure we felt right at home. They even recommended some vegetarian-friendly tapas, which I truly appreciated. The atmosphere was lively yet relaxed, making it the perfect spot to sit back, enjoy some amazing food, and soak in the local vibes.

For anyone in Gran Canaria looking for a real taste of Spain, Bar San Fermín is a must-visit! Affordable, authentic, and absolutely delicious—I’ll definitely be coming back!

Highly...

The food here is very good but the staff let the place down as the service was terrible. We suspect there was a fairly new inexperienced waiter who was a little unsure of his duties but the waitress whom, I'm assured, is very experienced was equally negligent. We waited a long time before anyone asked us what we wanted although the terrace and inside were by no means full. Another long wait before our drinks were served and again, before we were asked about our food. We ordered 3 things and, despite there being 4 of us only 2 lots of cutlery were brought to our table. Fortunately we'd had 2 coffees so we had to use the spoons to eat. Eventually one empty coffee cup wa taken away but the was left on the table??? We'd ordered cheese stuffed mushrooms but got croquettes instead! Why did we not tell the staff so they could rectify these problems? Simply because they weren't about and it would have taken too long for them to sort it out. Waiting to ask for the bill, for it to arrive and we even had to go inside in...