The best restaurants The Azores

A hushed atmosphere of light wood, punctuated by colorful cushions, a simple decor for an exceptional restaurant. Otaka offers Japanese fusion cuisine, like these Azorean fish sashimi with jalapenos sauce... simply delicious. For gourmets, two menus, "Classiques" or "Expérience" - in seven or ten courses - allow you to discover the full extent of the chef's talents. You can add a wine and food pairing with a glass of wine to match each dish. An excellent and much-appreciated address, so make sure you book ahead!

Overlooking the quays of the small port, this is undoubtedly one of the best fish and shellfish restaurants on the island; don't confuse it with the restaurant of the same name in downtown Angra do Heroísmo. The food here is really good and the prices quite democratic. We recommend the fish soup or the grilled octopus. The wine list is comprehensive. As for the service, it's perfect and on a par with the dishes. Don't forget to book, because when it's fabulous and you're in a small town, places are expensive!

It all started in 1998 with a small snack bar, still in service today and which surely offers the best hamburger in Terceira, made with local meat and cheese. A delight! Then, in 1999, the place got bigger with a nice terrace in a pleasant shaded patio. Before the arrival of the first room of the restaurant on the^1st floor, opened in 2000. In 2002, the restaurant was enlarged again and the whole place was renovated. Today it is a large and beautiful complex with a family atmosphere and whose (good) reputation has made the tour of the Azores.

This is the restaurant of the Hotel Aldeia da Fonte. It offers a fusion cuisine, more sophisticated and as much appreciated by locals as by tourists. We offer a varied menu and a good choice of Azorean and Mediterranean dishes concocted with a gourmet touch, based on local products (organic seasonal vegetables, organic Azorean meat) enhanced with aromatic plants and surprising spices. The restaurant also has a large terrace overlooking the garden where it is pleasant to eat. Courtesy staff and peaceful environment. Very good address.

A bar and restaurant like no other on Flores, and there's only one. Discreet, it's a place for aesthetes, and it couldn't be simpler: a room (adjoining a terrace on the same level as the ocean) that's highly prized for its quality cuisine; a relaxed atmosphere and music (vinyl records!) that's both sophisticated and eclectic. But above all, it's the place to see the sunset from at the end of the world: there's no place further west than Europe! Reservations are essential if you want to enjoy the show.

Sincere family cooking at affordable prices. The fish salad may not look like much, but it's absolutely delicious. A must try! The menu isn't very varied, but that's a guarantee of fresh produce. The emphasis is on local, family-style cooking. The welcome is very friendly (with a few words of French from the owner!) and the terrace very pleasant. The restaurant is located on the small port of Lajes do Pico. A good meeting point, and one of the best spots for an evening drink. Slow service, we warn you!

Popular with locals who mingle with passing travelers in a lively atmosphere, A Tasca offers tasty typical dishes, fresh grilled fish and Portuguese tapas specialties. On the lower level, you'll find the restaurant's large dining room, often packed to the rafters, and upstairs, a bar to satisfy the thirsty. Good value for money for this simple, authentic tavern. Reservations are recommended, but it's hard to get them on the phone (the restaurant is so crowded they hardly ever answer!).

Bar on the first floor and restaurant on the first floor, this establishment offers regional cuisine. In a large room, you can taste the speciality of the house - the octopus -, while looking at the ocean and its islets. The specialty is served in all forms: in sauce, grilled ... Other meat and fish dishes are of course on the menu. We regret the sometimes changing attitude of the manager and the wait to be served but the plates are well furnished and the whole remains a good address in Mosteiros and in this part of the island.

This restaurant is one of the best in the city and is very copious. train to the servings! The owner is the same person who holds the residence O Jaime on the same street.

A small restaurant specializing in fish and seafood. For starters, we recommend the grilled black pudding with pineapple; for main courses, the tasty grilled calamari or the delicious fresh fish of the day. For meat lovers, there's a grilled chicken cutlet. Another popular dish is the Super Prato salad, made with São Jorge cheese, among other ingredients. Wide choice of desserts. Attentive welcome and French menu. Simple, local and reasonably priced. Note the beautiful ceramic plates.

Once you've marveled at the beauty of the lakes and the magnificent surrounding views, you absolutely must come and eat at Lagoa Azul. The buffet menu should fill you up! The dishes are simple, but of good quality: meat, grilled cod, calamari, yellowfin tuna, accompanied by French fries and crudités... Here, conviviality is the order of the day. This small, family-run restaurant is a jewel among nature's jewels. Truly delicious! Don't forget to book, as there aren't many restaurants in the area, and they're often fully booked.

This little vegetarian restaurant run by Catarina is a wonderful surprise. The fantastic mix of ingredients will delight even non-vegetarians. Dishes are accompanied by salad or delicious fresh vegetables. On the menu: zucchini cannelloni stuffed with soy, mushroom ragout with polenta, lentil burger... And let's not forget the desserts (the chocolate mousse is a great success) and the wine list. We also appreciate the background music, the decor on the walls and, above all, the hospitality of the smiling staff. A choice address, book early!

Its beautiful ceramic window and its typical interior (note the volcanic stone pillars) immediately inspire the açorienne açorienne. Good draw! Opened in July 2013, this restaurant offers regional specialities well cooked for very reasonable prices: for 8 €, the menu of the day includes a dish (fish or meat), a drink and bread. In the beautiful days you can eat outside, in the alley. 

Good buffet restaurant serving meat, fish and many local wines. Simple and honest! Every day, the restaurant offers a lunchtime buffet of traditional Portuguese or Azorean dishes, with vegetarian options. The place is ideal for a quick lunch stop, between hikes for example. The views from the terrace and garden are magnificent. So, weather permitting, don't hesitate to take your meal outside to enjoy the beautiful scenery (much nicer than the indoor dining room).

Bar and restaurant with a modern and aesthetic design. Choice of typical dishes and excellent grills. If you spend Sunday lunchtime there, it will be an all-you-can-eat buffet: starter, traditional cozido (an extraordinary stew cooked in the heat of hot springs) and two fish or meat dishes, plus a dessert. A good way to taste the different specialities of the island. Pedro gives you a welcome that you will remember: smiling, caring and very good advice. Also discover Azbeer's artisanal beers.

A slightly offbeat Mexican atmosphere. The decor is warm and intimate. In the kitchen and on your plates, all the Mexican essentials: fajitas, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, nachos... A little Latin exoticism. As much as we love the Portuguese specialties, this is a bit of a change. What doesn't vary are the quantities, which are as copious as ever. The cocktails are good, with a special mention for the pineapple margarita. Service is friendly and jovial, with a complimentary glass of tequila as an after-dinner drink.

Octopus and Nordeste meat are the specialties of this restaurant. A must-try is the fromage frais starter. A buffet menu is also available. The restaurant room is not very attractive, rather dark, lit only by the cold light of a neon sign, but the food is good and of high quality. The fact that the establishment is frequented by many locals is not misleading! Diligent, no-nonsense service, very good food, especially considering the price. A friendly, good-natured atmosphere.

The owners, Sylke and Uwe, offer delicious local cuisine, prepared mainly with produce from the garden. The à la carte dishes are original. These include fish curry, sesame or almond-crusted fish, and fish and pineapple kebabs. The meat, meanwhile, melts in your mouth. The atmosphere is convivial, and the Azorean music is appreciable, especially as it is rare to have the opportunity to listen to it. A recommended address. Please note: the menu is available in all languages.

Good little seaside restaurant. Delicious food at affordable prices. It's a sort of stone inn offering simple but very good dishes. Service is fast and friendly. You can eat inside or outside on the lovely terrace overlooking the Atlantic. If possible, it's best to go there for dinner, when the sunset will put on a superb show. We also suggest you take your aperitif on one of the benches in the garden. During high season, remember to book in advance.

A rather simple restaurant lost on São Jorge. It has to be said that this part of the island is immaculate and restaurants aren't exactly a dime a dozen (or rather, fajãs!). This may well be the only option on your itinerary, and it's not too bad. Here you'll find mainly fish, freshly caught in the morning. The specialty is ameijoas (local clams). What will leave you breathless, however, is the setting in which you'll be eating. The view of the seafront from the large glassed-in dining room is simply breathtaking.

In a sea blue room decorated with a Lajes fresco, you can taste traditional azorian cuisine… and Tuscan (pasta specialty). Friendly service and local atmosphere.

Despite (or because of?) its curious name, this small casual snack bar on the main square of Santa Cruz de Graciosa serves a typical Azorean cuisine: seafood rice, alcatra, good grilled fish... For carnivores, don't worry, there is also meat à la carte. The portions are generous and the products are of good quality. Come on an empty stomach, otherwise you won't be able to finish your plate! The food and service are great. We recommend this address to you with your eyes closed.

This extraordinary restaurant is located in what was, after its opening in 1904, a fabric and hat store imported directly from Paris! Its beautiful wooden display cases contain the desserts of the day, tea, pretty decorations and handicrafts. A magnificent bar and a few tables set up in this charming decor welcome you to enjoy breakfast, lunch or a meal. Brewery flavors with international influences. An unusual place and one of the best restaurants in Ponta Delgada.

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.

We come here to taste the famous "Cozido das Furnas", which is particularly successful. It is a stew where different types of meat and vegetables are placed in a casserole dish that is boiled for a few hours in Furnas' calderas. The dish is copious, well served and often sufficient for 2 people. A good choice of local wines and desserts, the "Delicia de pineapple" is excellent. The restaurant is spacious, with a pleasant regional-inspired decoration and helpful staff. Beautiful terrace outside.

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.

In an azulejo decor, you'll be tempted by an alcatra (for 2 or 4 people, this is a specialty of slow-cooked meats in a large earthenware pot, the meat is succulent and melts in your mouth), or by other grilled fish and meat specialties. The establishment has remained true to its roots: simple and local. The welcome is friendly and the plates are copious. Service is fast and efficient. And prices are very reasonable, so there's no reason to miss out! Reservations are almost essential.

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.

A little way from the center of Velas, a young and friendly address offering very good daily specials at democratic prices, cooked exclusively with fresh, local produce. The menu also includes excellent burgers served in the traditional Azorean bun, the bolo levedo, which here is homemade, as are the accompanying fries. Open from early morning, you can also enjoy breakfast here, surrounded by the lively chatter of the Velas locals, who really appreciate this excellent little address.

This restaurant has a large, spacious and bright room. Large arched windows give a glimpse of the park. The whole is a chic and sober set with a well-tried and conscientious service. The specialty is of course the cozido, a typical dish of the region. It is served as a single course or in a menu with appetizer and dessert. The plates are well prepared and the cuisine is refined and delicious. Excellent value for money considering the standing of the place.

Before arriving at the beach. Closed on Tuesday. For its terrace in summer and… because there is not really the choice.

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

In this small snack bar with its modest appearance, the cuisine is regional, with typical dishes, mainly made from fish and seafood. Tuna steak and shrimp skewers are a must. Prices are affordable and a buffet formula is available for lunch. You can also come for a coffee or a cold drink. The list of wines is not exhaustive. We will remember the panoramic and magnificent view of the ocean. She can only subjugate you, especially if the weather is fine. Efficient service.

Restaurant of the hotel Talisman, it is without question one of the good restaurants of Ponta Delgada. You can have a good breakfast on the terrace, the buffet is complete and copious. But it is especially the numerous local fish and seafood that will delight you in a pleasant setting, next to the winter garden that the restaurant has. The dishes are rather copious. Your meal can sometimes be accompanied by a pianist and a singer who will sing French songs (in the evening). Think of reserving the weekend.

Fish meal. Honest.

If some locals will tell you that its quality has declined since its inception, this restaurant is still a good place to enjoy a meal with delicious seafood flavours: grilled patelles, shrimps, octopus... Even the vegetables are excellent. Lovers of good wine can accompany their fish with a small vinho verde. The only downside is that when the room is full, it is very noisy... In that case, forget the romantic dinner! A typical cuisine, without fuss, but a delight for the taste buds. Booking recommended.

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!

An informal, popular address where the dishes are rich and well served, which certainly explains the presence of many soldiers on leave. Gourmets abstain, but we love simple cooking and soft prices.

The Costa do Sol restaurant offers seafood specialities. The food is of good quality, the plates are generous and the atmosphere is friendly. Family atmosphere is one of the words that best describes this small Azores island. What more could you ask for to enjoy a good meal in the middle of the Atlantic? This is one of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz de Graciosa. Note that during the summer months, service is continuous, depending on the number of customers. Add to this the really attractive prices, and you've got everything you need.

Located in the back of a café, the Boca Negra is a bit of a confidential address... This restaurant is often recommended for its seafood and its alcatraof fish. This traditional dish that reminds us of our bouillabaisse is absolutely divine. If you like fish, do not hesitate and place your order! The cheese, the desserts, the wine... are also of quality. The service is impeccable and always smiling. In short, you will have understood it, here is a very good table and the promise of a beautiful stopover at the time to be put at table.

The kitchen is better. Meat and fish are cooked in wood fire.

A restaurant in the shape of an ocean liner with a breathtaking view of the nearby sea. Designer decor, large terrace and grounds for summer parties... Very lively with tourists and Azoreans at the height of the season. The best place to party on the island, especially after the concerts at the Mare de Agosto festival next door! The menu features international dishes: crêpes, hamburgers... but also delicious dishes based on local cheese. Good value for money.

The establishment has a long history and tradition. The philosophy here is to offer all customers the best possible service. Terrace with magnificent sea views. The cuisine is varied and focused on Mediterranean and Portuguese specialties. Seafood and fresh fish are always an excellent option to tantalize your taste buds. A very good address that also has a street-side snack bar for a drink or a quick bite to eat.

A small restaurant with a superb rustic decor, with ceramics hanging on the walls, which is a replica of the interior of a typical Azorean house. The menu offers traditional cuisine at affordable prices. The main attraction is the alcatra of beef, Terceira's great specialty. We also suggest the fried blood sausage. Quite simply, this is one of the best places to eat meat on the island, and perhaps in the whole archipelago. As you can see, this is a great address in Terceira.

The restaurant is run by a German couple and the cuisine is in perfect harmony with the Azores. You have to leave the main road to get to the restaurant, but it's well worth the detour. The view of the ocean is magnificent, especially if you're lucky enough to be able to eat on the terrace. The dishes are made with fresh produce. The dishes are rather simple, but particularly tasty and flavorful. Fish and seafood of the day, rösti, cordon bleu and burgers all feature on the menu, along with a few vegetarian options.

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.

With its superb oceanfront terrace, this restaurant offers an exceptional setting for dining on delicious, freshly caught fish and seafood dishes. Oysters, shrimps, langoustines, lobster tails, grilled fish of the day... all fresh and succulent. Service is impeccable too, with waiters on hand to offer advice on food and wine selection. A must in Lagoa.

The QB offers two types of restoration. The snack bar, on the lower level, and the gourmet restaurant, on the upper floor. The setting is magnificent and the terrace overlooks a beautiful garden. In the latter, chef Paulo Lourenço will fill your mouth with it. The octopus with its apple sauce is melting as you wish! The menu also offers delicious vegetarian choices. Cozy atmosphere and attentive service. It's a little expensive compared to other restaurants on the island, but the dishes are really delicious. Excellent address.

À Buraca is a concept! An initiative of Leonardo Ávila Silva, inaugurated on November 11, 2007 and part of the Wine Route since 2013. It's a museum, a cellar where you can taste excellent wines and a delicious restaurant all in one. The traditional restaurant offers typical cuisine that goes perfectly with Azorean wines. In addition to the restaurant, there's a crafts and cooperage store, a blacksmith's tent, straw, wool and wicker workshops... Please note: reservations required.