The best restaurants Cape Verde

If you're short of inspiration on a Sunday, when almost everything is closed, head to Calhau for the Chez Loutcha buffet. This is a familiar meeting place for lovers of local cuisine, in a festive atmosphere, with live music and the sea as a backdrop. Cape Verdeans and tourists alike are always keen to take part in the experience, eat well and, above all, dance to African rhythms. To reach the place, it's very easy: a shuttle is available free of charge, like a Sunday excursion.

Run by Marcia, Cusinha D'Terra is a typical gargote, as we like them, with musicians who come and play non-stop on Friday nights. The menu is very basic: salted fritters, soups, fish, chicken, flambéed bananas... perfect for a no-frills lunch. If you don't want to eat there, it's also an accessible space to have a caipirinha or a drink at the counter, surrounded by friendly regulars. Or why not have a breakfast of cachupa and traditional goat cheese, just like at home.

Felicidade in Portuguese means happiness. That's what you hope to experience when you come to eat at this very good, well-run restaurant with a 100% local atmosphere. The house prides itself on presenting healthy dishes, made with ingredients and products straight from the family property, including eggs, meat and vegetables. Freshness, quality and controlled sourcing reinforce the house's favorite motto: "Let your food be your only medicine", as Hippocrates said. In short, an address that takes care of us.

A pirate's den in a shed on the beach, all that's missing is Jack Sparrow to complete the atmosphere. Here, people come to enjoy themselves in a friendly atmosphere and spend the day in the deckchairs that are there for you after your meal. The owners have the reputation of being involved in good causes, hospitals, schools, for which they are regularly involved. Sensitive to the planet, they have adopted gluten-free rice straws made from compostable plants. The tuna is caught every morning with their own boats. The pirates? They amaze us.

In the center of town, the Sodade is a pleasant spot near a public garden facing a dry river, ideal for a drink or a break during the day. There's no local cuisine here, but rather food that young people are particularly fond of: hamburgers, crepes and pizza. Special mention for the francesinha, Cape Verde's favorite hearty sandwich. Multilingual guides and a map of the island are available, not forgetting precious wifi if you need it.

Opened in 2013 by Spaniards, it's on the second floor facing the sea, in a décor of white and orange tones that you'll enjoy dishes of Cape Verdean and Iberian inspiration. The star dish on the menu (also available in French) is the classic paella with seafood or lobster, concocted by the chef from the neighboring Canary Islands and served after a half-hour wait for an aperitif. Another delicious option: the hamburger with crispy Serrano pata negra, olé!

When you dine at Dokas, you're just a few meters from the water and the sport fishing boats, and you'll enjoy impeccable, inventive cuisine. On the menu: real flavors and joyful combinations perfected by the American-Cape Verdean chef and owner. The plates are always appetizing, the atmosphere cheerful and the place has become a kind of canteen for visiting sailors and divers who share their experience of the sea. Naturally, fish, lobster and fresh produce take pride of place.

If you want to know where the inhabitants of Sal Rei go to watch a soccer match, meet up with friends at any hour or even share a table with strangers, you have to push open the door of Le Coral, a kind of central canteen that is very popular with the locals. If you turn a blind eye to the decor, the hubbub and the flies, you'll enjoy a hearty dish of the day at unbeatable prices. Excluded from all tourists (at least for the moment), this is a local experience at its best. A boui-boui as we like them. For the Coral, we say OK.

Everything seems to have been frozen in time: the dining table with its porcelain tableware, the paintings and photos, the everyday objects, the rocking chair... this restored house is one of the best-preserved examples of colonial architecture. Transformed into a small museum, the ground-floor section, with its various small patios, also houses a charming restaurant. Esmoregal à l'orange, guisado de buzio, but also vegan dishes, there's plenty to enjoy in this unique space. A dive into history not to be missed.

A vast terrace, a predominantly female team who will grace you with a broad smile and little attentions throughout your meal, it doesn't take much to have a good time. Not forgetting, of course, what's on the plates. These include grilled octopus cooked to perfection, fish fillets with colorful vegetables, the famous Cape Verdean fried moreia , poached pears or flans dripping with caramel for dessert - in short, "dilizia di casa" (the delights of the house)... quite a program!

A prime location a few steps from the beach, background music that doesn't drown out conversations, indoor tables for those bothered by the wind and plenty of light for this restaurant that inspires calm and tranquility. The varied menu caters to the tastes of foreign visitors: pizza, hamburgers, pasta of all kinds, but also Portuguese cuisine with caldeirada and bacalhau on the menu. A bit of a wait, but everything is freshly prepared to order. What's more, the attentive waiters don't spoil the fun.

A lovely atmosphere and great attention to detail for this dapper pink house designed by Sascha and Marcus. Conveniently located in the heart of Sal Rei's alleyways, its cheerfulness and cheerful staff make it a real eye-catcher. In addition to the restaurant's attractive menu, which offers a wide choice of dishes and wines, a clever blend of local and German cuisine, you can also enjoy a snack, ice cream or waffles, or go shopping in the boutique area. Make a reservation for dinner to secure a table on the roof terrace.

Overlooking the beach of São Pedro but sheltered from the wind, this bar-restaurant with a rounded shape has a small terrace facing the ocean. The menu, deliberately limited to ensure absolute freshness, offers grills and snacks, and revolves around seafood, lambis stew, octopus or the catch of the day, of course. Home cooking, unpretentious but tasty and of good quality, is served for a very reasonable price. After the meal, why not a little swim with the turtles?

Climb the few stairs leading to the covered terrace to discover the Esplanada Carlita, the perfect place to cool off right next to the ocean. It's the perfect place to share the signature dishes of the house: seafood rice, percebes or the famous Soada de lagosta, Carlita style. We particularly appreciate the family and good-natured atmosphere, a bit like a vacation home, in short a place where it is easy to make friendly acquaintances while enjoying a meal.

Americo's restaurants in Cape Verde need no introduction, and here's the latest, recently opened in the beautiful town of Mindelo. As elsewhere, the codes of culinary know-how and expertise have been adopted, promising a fine gustatory journey. Pleasant surroundings, competent staff and a good wine list all contribute to the experience. The sophisticated decor is complemented by brightly colored dishes. There's nothing like a more intimate address to try something new and pick up some local fare for an evening. Definitely a great discovery!

As soon as you enter this sea-facing restaurant, you'll notice a wall of wine bottles. Indeed, it announces the slightly more sophisticated than average category at Cidade Velha. The menu features an eco-friendly wooden menu designed by Luna Arte Design, with fish and seafood in the spotlight: cod, grilled and filleted parrotfish, octopus and lobster. For a more international meal, or for the kids, there are also a dozen pizzas to choose from, ranging from the classic to the more local with local cheese. All in all, a delicious time.

Where there's a beach, there's a fisherman and fresh fish, and this restaurant proudly advertises its speciality. No less than thirteen species are on the menu, including tuna served in cube form, as well as cavala, goraz, sargonete, fatxo, esmoregal and txitxaro, to name but a few. You'll also appreciate the owner's good humor, the friendly atmosphere and the music, which varies from moment to moment. Not to mention that it's also the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing drink and relax after a visit to Cidade Velha.

A concept that customers love, the atmosphere, the space, the music, the food, the service, the very affordable price, the smile... Casa Tchicau ticks all the boxes! Over the years, the place has become an obligatory stop for all those who want to enjoy a good meal without the fuss in a relaxed environment. There's no time wasted choosing from the menu, the menu is the same for everyone, made up each day of different but always tasty products, and the plates are overflowing with generosity, just like the cook.

Restaurant open every day; offers a varied lunch menu with local specialties and international cuisine, and in the evening, a unique menu (starter, main course, dessert at 13.80 euros) on reservation. The team, led by a renowned French chef, knows how to adapt to your tastes, while using fresh, local produce - a real "circuit court"! Last but not least, the 360° view from the terrace and the musical ambience will give a special flavor to your heartfelt dishes. Hats off to Restaurant Aldea Panoramica.