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When visiting Sao Miguel, Azores, one of the best things you can do on the island is EAT! The Azores Islands have no shortage of incredible restaurants and unique local dishes. In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best restaurants in Sao Miguel, Azores that you won’t want to miss!
Foods To Try In Sao Miguel Azores
Before we dive into specific restaurants, there are some popular foods worth tasting when visiting Sao Miguel. These are common dishes you’ll likely see on menus throughout the island.
Fresh Cheese And Pepper Sauce
Often offered as a starter at restaurants, this local dish consists of a mild, soft, white cheese served with tangy red pepper jelly. Make sure to order with fresh bread and you’ll be a very happy camper.
Actually, All Azorean Cheese
The Azores Islands are home to some incredible cheeses in addition to the fresh cheese mentioned above. I personally love cheeses from the island of Pico and the island of São Jorge. To try as many local cheeses as possible, your best bet is to order a cheese plate starter at dinner if it’s available.
Bolo Levedo
Bolo Levedo is a breakfast bread that has a similar taste and texture to an English muffin. It’s commonly eaten with jam and fresh cheese. You can find Bolo Levedo in any grocery store or bakery around the island.
Tip: You can find fresh cheese in the grocery stores in the refrigerator section. It comes in a round container inside a plastic bag filled with brine.
Seafood
Sao Miguel is an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, so you can imagine the seafood is top-notch. I’m not a huge seafood person, but the tuna dish I tried at Bar Caloura was one of my favorite meals of the trip.
Tip: A popular starter is called Lapas or Limpets, which are a shelled mollusks in a rich butter sauce served in a sizzling skillet.
Pineapple
Sao Miguel is known for having excellent pineapples and they’re frequently included in different dishes. I loved trying fresh pineapple at the pineapple plantation in Ponta Delgada and keep an eye out for pineapple dishes on menus. The pineapple cake in Sao Miguel is out of this world!
Cozido de Furnas
When visiting the region of Furnas, trying the Cozido is a must! Cozido is an Azorean stew of meat, potatoes, and vegetables cooked inside large pots buried in volcanic mud. The geothermal heat cooks the dish over several hours, creating a totally unique (and delicious) dish you can’t get anywhere else!
Related Post: 17 Best Hotels in Sao Miguel, Azores
8 Best Restaurants in Sao Miguel Azores
On this trip to Sao Miguel, Azores, our tastebuds were in heaven. I don’t think we had a bad meal on the island. The restaurants below are a combination of our favorite places to eat and restaurants that come highly recommended by friends.
Tip: We found that many restaurants in Sao Miguel had limited or no availability for walk-ins at dinner time, especially on the weekends. If possible, make a reservation in advance to ensure you get a table.
| Restaurant | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| A Tasca | Ponta Delgada | Traditional Portuguese cuisine, cosy ambiance |
| Bar Caloura | Caloura | Oceanfront dining, fresh seafood, beautiful view |
| Restaurante da Associacao Agricola | Ribeira Grande | Known for having some of the best meats and steaks on the island |
| A Quinta Furnas | Furnas | Peaceful outdoor space, a great place to try Cozido do Furnas |
| Ta Gente | Ponta Delgada | Tapas and cocktails in downtown, large outdoor seating area and lively until late |
| Sunset Beach Restaurant and Bar | Praia do Populo | Casual beach bar and restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner |
| Tuka Tula | Ribeira Grande | Seafood and cocktails with outdoor seating and a beach view |
| La Gelateria | Ponta Delgada | Gelato and coffee in a breezy, bright atmosphere |
Ponta Delgada, Azores Food Tour: Visit markets and restaurants in Ponta Delgada while learning about Sao Miguel’s food history from a local guide.
A Tasca, Sao Miguel
A Tasca is a casual restaurant in Ponta Delgada that has a reputation for being one of the best on the island. Serving local Azorean and Portuguese entrees, cheeses, meats, and wines, this spot usually has a line out the door and it’s 100% worth the wait.
They don’t accept reservations, but we were able to get a table quickly by going a bit before the dinner rush on a weeknight.
I’d recommend getting one of their meat and cheese boards (they come in small, medium, and large) and make sure to order the pineapple cake for dessert.
Bar Caloura, Caloura Azores
Bar Caloura is located on the southern coast of Sao Miguel about a fifteen-minute drive from Ponta Delgada. This seafood restaurant is located right on the water with views of cliffs and clear blue seas.
To order, simply choose your fish and it will be brought out with salad, potatoes, and grilled vegetables. The portions are large and choices vary based on what’s been caught that day.
Restaurante da Associacao Agricola, Ribeira Grande
If you’re looking for the best steak in the Azores, there’s a good chance you’ll find it at Restaurants da Associacao Agricola. This restaurant, run by the Agricultural Association, serves local, farm-fresh Azorean dishes. If you ask a local where to eat in Sao Miguel, most people will point you in this direction.
Make sure to call in advance to make a reservation since they’re often booked out days in advance.
A Quinta Furnas, Furnas Azores
When we visited Furnas, we tried the famous Cozido de Furnas at a restaurant called A Quinta. A Quinta had lots of outdoor seating and grassy space – it almost looked like it could be a wedding venue instead of a restaurant.
Here, we tried different local varieties of cheese and of course, a heaping plate of Cozido de Furnas. I’m not a huge meat eater myself, but I enjoyed trying the smokey potatoes and vegetables that had been cooked underground in the volcanic heat!
Ta Gente, Ponta Delgada
Ta Gente is a popular tapas and cocktail bar in central Ponta Delgada with a huge outdoor seating area and a lively ambiance. We went here for drinks which were amazing, created by an expert bartender who often included locally grown ingredients.
Sitting at the bar, we watched plate after plate of incredible-looking dishes roll out of the kitchen and get devoured at breakneck speed. Judging by the smells from the kitchen and the excited diners around us, I imagine the food is as good as the cocktails.
Related Post: Things To Do In Ponta Delgada, Azores
Sunset Beach Restaurant and Bar
We stayed near Sunset Beach Restaurant and Bar, and it quickly became a favorite place to grab a bite during our trip. It’s located directly on Praia do Populo and has a casual atmosphere with tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.
They also have a surprisingly large wine selection, which we happily discovered over dinner one evening. A great choice for an easy, laid-back meal with a view.
Tuka Tula, Ribeira Grande
Speaking of beach bars, if you’re looking for a meal with a view, Tuka Tula won’t disappoint. Located in Ribeira Grande overlooking the Santa Barbara Beach, Tuka Tula came highly recommended by all our friends and is definitely on the must-try list for the next time we visit.
They’re known for their seafood and specialty cocktails. With close proximity to the beach and Santa Barbara boardwalk, Tuka Tula is a nice spot to watch the sunset after a day of waves. Just make sure to book a table in advance since they fill up fast!
La Gelateria, Ponta Delgada
On the hunt for some of the best gelato in the Azores? Head to La Gelateria! Our group of four tried several flavors and everyone was beyond happy with the quality.
The atmosphere is bright and cheerful and the gelato is so tasty you’ll probably want to come back again and again.
Final Thoughts: Best Restaurants in Sao Miguel, Azores
Exploring the culinary scene of Sao Miguel, Azores was a memorable and delicious part of our trip. Have you visited Sao Miguel? What was your favorite restaurant or food you tried there? Drop any recommendations in the comments below!
Plan Your Trip To Sao Miguel Azores
- Related Post: Complete Sao Miguel Azores Travel Guide
- Accommodation: Browse hotels on Booking
- Flights: Check prices on Skyscanner
- Tours and Experiences: Find things to do in Sao Miguel Azores
- Rental Cars: Book your rental car here
- Travel Guides: Read more Portugal Travel Guides here!
2 Comments
Since eating and drinking have become my favorite activities, looks like I need to get to the Azores.
I think that’s a great idea!