The best restaurants Faial

Right next to the harbor, this restaurant surprises with its cargo ship architecture, but not only that: fish (but also shrimp, cuttlefish...) and meat are served raw, so all that's left to do is cook them on the hot stones that accompany them! And these are nothing more than lava stones! Everything is served with an assortment of sauces. It's a great way to play apprentice chef, which children generally love. Good choice of regional wines. A good address with an original concept. We recommend the mix (meat, fish, shellfish).

Overlooking the village and offering an unobstructed view of São Jorge, this restaurant serves traditional Portuguese cuisine, like this cabbage, carrot, bean and meat soup. A restaurant worthy of the name here in the Azores: dishes that are truly local, nourishing, with local produce and well-stocked plates. Please note that half portions are available for all dishes, and that's more than enough! The owner will usually tell you (dishes on the menu are often for 2 people). A good address.

A traditional restaurant, where you can for example taste the morcela, a kind of local sausage accompanied by yams. Here the cuisine is family, typical and tasty. The recipes are homemade. It's copious and cheap. We recommend squid with cream, cuttlefish or the famous steak. You will enjoy your dishes on charming red and white checkered tablecloths, in the middle of the locals who came to lunch here to watch the telenovelas on TV in the restaurant! To immerse yourself in the local atmosphere of the Azores, this is the ideal place.

A little out of town, in an industrial zone above a car parts store, the exterior doesn't give us much to go on! But inside, the decor is superb: modern and trendy. You can enjoy your meal behind a large bay window overlooking the sea. The formula is simple: every day (except Wednesdays!) you'll be served a delicious buffet of Portuguese specialities. Many locals come here to eat, so it's a safe bet at very reasonable prices. Friendly staff.

The Praya restaurant looks great on Almoxarife beach. Its architecture allows you to dine with a breathtaking view of the ocean and the famous Pico. We suggest the second floor: behind the huge bay windows, the panorama is even more impressive. The decor is modern and original. Natural elements, especially wood, are given pride of place. The à la carte menu features classic Italian dishes: pasta, fresh fish and tender meats. Service is impeccable. A fine address.

In the centre, an address at reasonable prices. The décor is committed (books in French that can be browsed). Correct kitchen.

Next to a river, in the middle of the forest and in a truly enchanting setting, this restaurant offers vegetarian and vegan cuisine. The dishes and beverages served are concocted using only fruit, vegetables and herbs, some of which are harvested from the garden. Even if this isn't your favorite type of cuisine, you'll be surprised by the delicacy of the plates and their unusual flavors. Benjamin and Verena, the owners, are particularly charming hosts. Please note: the menu is a surprise and changes daily!

This is another excellent restaurant in Horta. After climbing a few steps, you arrive on a terrace that takes on a tropical air in summer, with its plants and wooden tables! Inside, the decor is old-fashioned, and that's what makes it so charming. The specialty: fish. You can choose it straight from the stall, and it couldn't be fresher! Note that the choice is much greater in summer. Meat is also delicious. The little extra: everything is grilled over a wood fire. An excellent local restaurant at affordable prices.

Gourmets will fall in love with the delicious local homemade ice creams. In the center of Horta, there's a large terrace on the main square where you can sit in the sun, but also a few small tables inside. You won't be able to resist the succulent flavors of passion fruit, pineapple and chocolate, or the wonderful crepes and waffles. At lunchtime, the place offers an excellent lunch menu. Sautéed meat with island mushrooms, bacalhau gratin, goat's cheese and fig salad, everything is good and fresh daily. We love it!

Just around the corner from the market (there's also direct access from it), this new restaurant offers a cuisine that aims to be innovative, a little different from what you might find in the city's traditional establishments. Or let's say that the Chef revisits traditional Portuguese dishes, such as cozido, in an original way. And it's a success. Inside, the decor is sober and elegant, with wood taking pride of place. The welcome is friendly. Prices are a little high, but the experience is well worth it.

Opened in 2020 by a young couple from the island, you will find in this wine bar almost all the wines of the Azores. Let yourself be tempted by their tasting formula. Verdelho, Arinto, terrantez... it is Mariana, a trained oenologist, who will guide you in the specificities of the Azorean soil. On the kitchen side, we find her companion Franz and a tapas menu elaborated with the products of the island. Renewed every week, it makes the beautiful share with the international kitchen. We especially like their fish ceviche. A very good address.

It's often said to be the best restaurant on the island... The establishment is located on the bay of Porto do Pim, with a lovely view of the beach (from here, the sunset is splendid). Genuino is the owner. A sailor, he has twice sailed solo around the world. The decor is made up of souvenirs brought back from his voyages. The fish is ultra-fresh, caught daily and perfectly cooked. And the octopus à la ligareiro makes your mouth water just talking about it...

If you are tired of the açorienne kitchen, you can spoil yourself in this small Chinese restaurant and make a complete meal for less than 10 €.

This restaurant is located in a parking lot along the main road, next to the supermarket of the same name. Not exactly welcoming from the outside, you're surprised when you step inside: modern decor, light wood and large windows overlooking the ocean. The place is warm and bright. The kitchen is another pleasant surprise. Everything is homemade and delicious. Special mention for the mussels "à casa" and the octopus, a delight! In high season, remember to book in advance, as the restaurant quickly sells out.

The place isn't exceptionally charming, but it's your only option if you're looking for a restaurant in this part of the island, and it boasts a lovely ocean view. The food is very hearty and inexpensive, and the menu focuses on regional meats. This is an opportunity to try "linguiça", a typical sausage served with yam, or octopus salad. The restaurant also serves as a café, where locals come to discuss politics and soccer at the bar. Local atmosphere guaranteed.

On the main road, you can't miss this large blue and white building facing the sea. The interior is quite appealing, but it's the lovely terrace with its sea view that's particularly coveted when the weather's nice. On-site: light meals and snacks. The menu is exhaustive, with omelettes, hamburgers, sandwiches... All at unbeatable prices (under €10). Above the restaurant, some recently refurbished accommodation. The rooms are clean and pretty, decorated all in blue.

With its damaged sign and its simple snack bar look, nothing lets you imagine the restaurant that is hidden on the second floor. It's a well-kept secret for the locals who flock there at lunchtime to taste Renata's excellent buffet lunch. In the evening it's à la carte, with braised tuna, the house specialty. The atmosphere is relaxed and Renata never fails to come and make sure that you have enjoyed her cooking. An authentic address. Don't forget to reserve your table near the window, the restaurant offers an incredible view of the Pico volcano.

A few wooden tables outside, a simple but nice decoration inside and an honest traditional kitchen, for very reasonable prices. You can choose from chicken soup, octopus salad or the excellent local cheese. As almost everywhere in the Azores, the portions are more than generous. Lunch is an all-you-can-eat buffet (we've just told you, generosity is the order of the day!) for an unbeatable price. The boss is adorable and the service is fast and friendly. An address that we recommend in Castelo Branco.

If the price is largely due to the magnificent setting of the fort of Santa Cruz and its view of the harbour drawn through the ramparts, the kitchen is nevertheless honest and regional specialities will be offered to you.

The best burgers in the world? Well, they're certainly delicious... Ah! Boca Santa uses "bolo levado" bread (a specialty of the Azores), local beef or pork, São Jorge cheese and crunchy vegetables. All this is accompanied by fries unlike any other: a mixture of potatoes, sweet potatoes and yams. Desserts and lemonade are homemade. Located in the municipal market, this is a young, local and plastic-free place to take a gourmet break, or to have breakfast on Saturday mornings.