Restaurants cuisine du monde Cape Verde

Quality, freshness of products and conviviality are the watchwords of this restaurant run by Lourdes, a French-speaking Portuguese woman. At the stove while her husband Carlos goes fishing for the fish that will be served in your plate, she has created a family spirit mixed with a summer atmosphere. Her famous sweet crepe or the Macarena with caramelized apple is a real treat. However, fish is the speciality of the place and Carlos can organise big game fishing trips for you. The grilled tuna is memorable, but the tataki has recently dethroned it.

La Caleta's team welcomes you with a smile and attentive service, facing the ocean, for lunch, snacks or dinner, while enjoying the lively street life. Seafood, fish, tapas and vegetarian dishes are all on offer. For the curious, there's a choice of cheese or Cape Verdean bafas to accompany a Fogo wine. But the score would be incomplete without mentioning juices such as banana-coconut and the various types of homemade toast offered by Caleta. A must-try!

Before moving to Fogo, Roberto Romano, originally from the land of the boot, ran an Italian restaurant on the island of Sal. His new address has become one of the best restaurants on the island, but the problem is that it is very difficult to reach: as a result, taxis sometimes refuse to take you there. The cuisine has a sea flavour with a wide choice of fresh fish (depending on the day's arrival) which can be accompanied by a small local wine. Not forgetting the divine carpaccios which are the house specialty.

The 5al da Música? Everyone knows it: it's THE emblematic Praia venue where Alia Dos Santos welcomes you in a delightful musical atmosphere. The establishment offers a concert every evening. Some locals don't hesitate to dress up to applaud the artist of the day. Caldeirada and chevre are the main dishes. The red-painted walls highlight the black-and-white photos of musicians. Reservations are essential, especially at weekends, as seating is limited. Not to be missed on any account when you visit.

Located on the pedestrian street opposite the church, the famous Americo's boasts the distinction of having been the very first restaurant to open its doors in Santa Maria. It has undergone several renovations to become this beautiful, modern, designer restaurant. It's a 100% Cape Verdean, family-run establishment with 3 dining rooms, specializing in lobster (November to May), grilled meats and fish, not forgetting meats (beef matured in a Josper oven). It also boasts the country's largest wine cellar.

Just above the waves that break on the beach, it is the best spot in Sal at cocktail time. Especially since the beer and other drinks are about the same price as elsewhere. As far as meals are concerned, we take the opportunity to discover the specialities of buzios grelhados, calamari or lobsters, depending on the arrival. It is thus also a very good restaurant of European level with impeccable and attentive service. A varied menu guarantees an original and quality meal, rocked by the surf. You're sure to fall in love with the food and the atmosphere.

As the name aptly suggests, it's all about seafood! Right across from the harbor, you can savor typical cuisine. Shrimp, lobster, fried or grilled catch of the day and steaming caldeirada are cooked to perfection, but there are also snacks, tapas and grilled meats to satisfy every craving. Live music concerts are held almost every day. You can check out the monthly program on their website, but nothing beats the surprise of a Cape Verdean artist.

The establishment is run by the Venetian Adriano, omnipresent, communicative and voluble (he speaks a little French or else with his hands) who will be happy to talk with you. His pizzas are crispy and delicious, cooked in the oven imported directly from Italy, "the Ferrari of pizza ovens". You can enjoy your pizza on the pleasant upstairs terrace with its Venetian fresco as a backdrop. To finish the meal as it should be, we opt for a very good creamy ice cream, Italian style of course. Buon appetito !

For the freshest fish, head to George's. George is the head chef, who prides himself on being an authentic self-taught chef who specializes in seafood products, creating grandmotherly recipes that are nonetheless delicious. The place is unsophisticated, but the warm welcome makes up for the simplicity of the setting. On the stove side: the succulent Portuguese caldeirada (fish casserole), shrimps, carpaccio and octopus... lobster lovers, you've also come to the right place!

As you approach this barbecue restaurant, the air fills with the smell of barbecue that whets your appetite. If you like your meat cooked over a wood fire, you've come to the right place. In this typical and popular restaurant, you will be served grilled meat in the open air. The restaurant is very popular with locals and visitors alike, as the food is very hearty and the prices are moderate. On the menu: pork skewers, a chicken dish with chips or grilled tuna. Local atmosphere guaranteed.

An institution in its own right, Café Sofia in the heart of the city remains one of the best places to stroll on Sundays (and the rest of the week, too!). The terrace, set right on the cobblestones, is a great place to enjoy a quick lunch or a mojito in the evening. The menu is quite eclectic, offering colorful Brazilian-inspired dishes, as well as simple burgers and pasta dishes at unbeatable prices. Good to know: Internet access is available.

This is one of the lowest-priced restaurants in town. A very typical (and disappearing) restaurant, frequented by many Cape Verdeans, as well as an increasing number of foreign visitors, where Carlos offers a warm welcome and very local cuisine. On Fridays, it serves Santa Maria's most famous cachupa (by order only). The terrace, the best place to sit, is often packed. Here, as elsewhere, you can't escape the slowness of the service, but you can relax and enjoy the moment...

Loutcha is an institution in Mindelo, everyone knows it. It serves traditional Cape Verdean cuisine and the barley cachupa is delicious and among the best in Mindelo. The menu offers a very wide choice of dishes at competitive prices. We recommend the cabri stew or the red mullet soup, which are very good. For dessert, try the coconut pudding, the house specialty. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays evenings, a music band animates the evening and you are invited to shake it up, the atmosphere is festive.

Located at the bottom of a house a bit out of the way in Ribeira Grande, this restaurant is an unexpected place. It has a beautifully decorated dining room and wooden tables set outside around a tropical garden dominated by palm and banana trees. The succulent dishes are created with ingredients that come directly from the garden. Divin'art welcomes musicians who come to play on weekends and ensure a memorable atmosphere. There is a small shop at the entrance to stock up on souvenirs.

This establishment located in the heart of downtown is easily recognizable thanks to the blue frescoes that explode on its front. Once through the door, one discovers a shady and colorful interior courtyard where a large palm tree stands, bringing its exotic side and giving a little freshness. As for the dishes, the Tropical serves generous fish dishes, including the famous cod a braz, but we appreciate the effort to ensure that the carnivores are not left out, the menu being largely provided. Eclectic clientele and good atmosphere without fuss.

Tiny restaurant, but very popular and therefore quickly full. The walls are covered with messages left by passing customers, a fresco on which you can leave your mark. At the helm is an Italian owner who is passionate about his job. Fish caught the same day - there is no freezer, so it's guaranteed ultra-fresh. Excellent tuna carpaccio, generous lobster, tartars, grilled goat cheese... everything is tempting and delicious. Make a reservation or come and see the menu, especially as some dishes are made to order.

Close to the Portuguese embassy, it's the meeting place for Cape Verde's elite and celebrities. Situated in the hills, it offers a breathtaking view of the sea, best appreciated at night from its panoramic terrace. The seafood is reputedly excellent, and the grilled octopus a must. Undoubtedly the capital's most iodized spot, O Poeta remains one of the best addresses on the island, with a high standard and a final score that is well above average. Come on a Saturday evening for a musical dinner.

Not far from Prainha, this restaurant is becoming increasingly popular and living up to its reputation. Here you'll be served nothing but fish, expertly grilled over a wood fire in front of you. Grouper, thick tuna steaks, octopus risotto, depending on what's available, of course, guaranteeing impeccable freshness... At the helm is João, the cheerful proprietor, who speaks French and will give you a few walking tips and tell you all about the country. A good address with the satisfaction of eating healthy, good, local food in a place without fuss.

A shady terrace with tables surrounded by banana trees and tropical species such as papaya trees is a delightful prospect for lunch. The local cuisine is of the highest quality, complemented by a warm welcome and friendly service. On the menu: grilled lobster (depending on availability), but more modestly, dishes based on tuna, capri or chicken, all cooked over a wood fire and washed down with grogue. The space is large enough to accommodate large families. In short, the perfect representation of "no stress"...