The best restaurants The Azores

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.

At the end of the road leading to Folga Bay, a friendly restaurant overlooks the small fishing port. The menu features local specialities: fish, seafood, squid, stews... and many regional dishes. A large veranda allows you to dine while enjoying the view over the bay and, when the weather is clear, the neighboring islands of São Jorge, Pico and Faial. An unpretentious establishment, but one from which you'll come away delighted. The restaurant is run by two sisters and the service is adorable and smiling. The kind of address we love in the Azores.

A sort of Portuguese canteen. At the side of the road, the restaurant doesn't look very attractive. Yet it serves simple, completely homemade cuisine, from traditional soup to morcela. The sweet potatoes and potatoes come straight from the garden. For lunch, an all-you-can-eat buffet is served daily. The rest of the time, à la carte dishes. A fine local address. Don't expect great gastronomy, but the value for money is very good and you'll be immersed in authenticity.

A lively, central snack bar where you can enjoy a drink or a quick snack. Folhado (meat turnovers) and Queijadas da Graciosa (delicious pastries) are just some of the delicacies on the menu. Concerts and themed evenings are regularly organized to add a little spice. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and you can also enjoy cocktails lovingly prepared by the barman on duty. Pleasant staff and good value for money. If you need a break, this is the place to do it!

Located a stone's throw from the Hotel Arcanjo, this restaurant overlooks the waves, which can be admired at leisure during your meal thanks to its many bay windows. Fish and seafood dishes are served at very reasonable prices. The dishes are enchanting and hearty. The staff are particularly friendly and make an effort to speak English. In summer, a pleasant terrace lets you enjoy the sea air. Highly recommended.

You're in Terceira, but the owner speaks French, has an Italian name and offers you specialities from the boot. It's enough to make you lose your bearings! Inside or on one of the three outdoor terraces, you can also enjoy wood-fired grills. But the best of all is the daily menu, which includes soup, main course, drink and coffee at a very reasonable price, all with a beautiful view over the bay. Delicious and generous plates, impeccable service and an ideal location, don't miss La Barca!

It's both a village bar for local workers, and a fine fish restaurant for tourists and other enthusiasts. As much as possible, Eleuterio, the owner, likes to catch the products he cooks himself. And, of course, this is reflected in the food! As for the decor, we appreciate the "fisherman's house" style interior and the authenticity of the large wooden tables. On Saturday evenings, it's not impossible that your meal will be enhanced by a concert. The kind of address we love here in the Azores. Highly recommended.

Located next to the Anjos natural pools, it's the ideal place to recharge your batteries after a swim. The decor is a little dated and the service is sometimes slow, but the view over the bay is magnificent. In addition to meat and fish dishes, you'll also be served salads, pasta and a few traditional specialties in season, such as grilled lapas. A good option in this more secluded part of Santa Maria and a lovely spot for an aperitif on the beach.

An original bubble-shaped structure, a vast outdoor area with a children's playground and table soccer for the older ones, this snack bar is pleasant enough for a drink or a quick bite to eat, although it also serves more substantial dishes. The menu includes sandwiches, burgers... The location is perfect, just a few steps from the beach. In summer, it's the ideal place to take a break and enjoy a bite to eat. You won't want to miss this establishment - it's the only one of its kind on the island of Santa Maria.

Good sandwiches, excellent pastries, a few unpretentious dishes, but surely the most beautiful terrace in town, with its gazebo facing the Palais des Capitaines-Généraux. The perfect place for a quick lunch (the Brianda cheddar and bacon sandwich is excellent) or a sunset aperitif. In the morning, don't hesitate to ask for your takeaway order, so you can wander around the city with a good cup of coffee and a pastéis de nata in hand. In short, perfect for a gourmet break at any time of day.

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...

A red facade contrasting with an interior in shades of gray, a natural stone floor - the tone is set. Here, we love aesthetics. The plates, the products, everything has been thought out so that the dishes are as good as they are beautiful, and it's a real success. On the menu, cuisine with multiple influences: Portuguese, of course, but also Lebanese and Japanese. Azorean fish, hummus... a marvel! All cooked with seasonal produce. Please note that opening times are like the restaurant itself: atypical. Don't forget to make a reservation.

Behind the tiny storefront of this Main Street snack bar lies a very friendly brasserie. Brick walls, a large wooden counter and a menu for gourmets: a variety of breakfasts, grilled meats and fish, pitas, homemade burgers, or even a few tapas to enjoy with a selection of special beers, including "A Nossa", Santa Maria's craft beer. For a snack, or even dessert, the snack bar also offers an excellent menu of sweet and savoury crêpes, which is quite rare in the Azores.

It's actually an organic grocery store, but if you go a little deeper into the store, you'll discover a counter and a few tables at the back. In a canteen-like atmosphere, you'll enjoy tasty dishes prepared with fresh, organic produce. We suggest the tuna if it's à la carte (or rather, à l'ardoise!), the salad of the day or the homemade hamburger. The kitchen is completely open, so you can watch your dish being prepared. The team is friendly, as are the surroundings and the dishes, so why deprive yourself?

An excellent fish restaurant with a superb sea view. From July to September, the establishment expanded and opened a bar named Flor Da Maia, next door.

Also known as "Cadafi" (impossible to know why), this brewery, with its excellent local reputation, offers simple and consistent dishes. The products used are local and of good quality. We suggest tuna steak or fried mackerel. The desserts are also delicious. A very good price-quality ratio and kindness in addition! The boss and her sister are friends of France! Authentic place with a beautiful view of the sea. You will appreciate the simplicity and atmosphere that emanates from the premises.

Everyone actually calls this restaurant "Amaro" of the owner's name, which is a real local figure. A simple setting and a consistent regional cuisine. Good value for money, especially if you take the buffet!

For a gourmet break in a pleasant setting. A bakery with a small room where you can have lunch on the spot. Great salads, daily specials, soups and delicious cakes for a few euros. You'll probably come for a coffee, but you won't be able to resist the mouth-watering pastries (the cheesecakes are excellent for example). There are also good home-made and local jams that you can buy on the spot. A good address at low prices. Too bad it's not open for dinner!

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 €.

A very small room in a vaulted cellar, to better appreciate the promiscuity. The tables are even closer together than in a Parisian restaurant! You may even be asked to share your table with other customers! But the food is so tasty that everyone rushes in. As you can see, it's best to book several days in advance. You'll enjoy fresh, local produce cooked to perfection. The meat is delicious and the cooking perfectly mastered. Excellent wine list.

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.

A young, relaxed atmosphere in this friendly snack bar on the main street. For a dish of the day or breakfast, to read a book with a coffee or savor one of their many homemade desserts, the place is very popular with locals, who also gather here in the evening for a drink and a game of darts. At the back, a large covered terrace lets you enjoy the garden on rainy days. The café also regularly organizes concerts and special menus. A lively place right in the center of town!

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.

It is in fact a big cafeteria, or the local fast-food. Completely out of the city center, the place is always full and we understand why: the products are excellent and the view on the city is exceptional. You first place your order at the cashier, pay and sit down with your order number. Your food will be brought to the table. The burgers are delicious and prepared with local products. The icing on the cake: homemade ice cream, accompanied by a pancake or a waffle is even better!

For a more formal cuisine, and especially to enjoy its beautiful terrace overlooking the windmills, go to Caldeirão, the only restaurant on the island! A modern decor and a menu that offers meats, grilled fish, excellent homemade desserts or a wonderful sangria to sip in the sun. You will probably find the dishes a bit expensive, as is the case on an island cut off from the world where basic foodstuffs are rare, but the friendly and smiling staff will quickly make you forget this. Buffet formula at lunchtime.

A very pleasant café, or rather tea room, in the heart of the city. The small terrace overlooks the street, but it's a pleasant one, and the interior is a beautiful blend of wood, stone and azulejos. The decor is rather modern, with large pop paintings hanging on the walls. A few touches of green liven things up. We sit on basic tables or in cosy armchairs. You come here for a cup of tea or coffee. And to top it all off, there are some great local pastries.

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.

The Terra Nostra Garden hotel restaurant is considered by many to be the best on the island. From the pretty Art Deco room overlooking the garden to the extremely fine dishes, attention is paid to every detail. Service is just as high-class as the restaurant itself: delicate and discreet, in a hushed atmosphere. In the kitchen, Chef Nuno Gonçalves creates perfectly mastered specialties using local and seasonal produce, enhanced by international influences. A true gastronomic experience.

It's fair to say that this is an exceptional restaurant for meat, most of which is sourced in the Azores. You can choose from beef, duck, pork or lamb... and sometimes even game! The side dishes are equally well prepared: truffle purée, home fries, grilled vegetables... Desserts are homemade and the wine list is comprehensive (as is the wall of bottles!). The waiters wear beautiful aprons and offer excellent advice. The dining room was refurbished in early 2024. A superb address.

A small, cute restaurant decorated with plants. Every week, La Mercearia d'Angra offers homemade dishes at very reasonable prices. On the menu: salads, fresh cheese, meat and cod specialties... It's good, hearty and quick. The small room can only accommodate a few customers at a time, but it's a good opportunity to place a takeaway order for a picnic. Don't hesitate to drop into the adjoining grocery store to buy local products: wines, liqueurs, preserves...

A lovely address in the center of Lagoa. This restaurant, which is discreet from the outside, serves meat and fish dishes, and above all Brazilian specialties! All ingredients are fresh and of the highest quality, and portions are generous. Pork ribs are simply divine; octopus and calamari are among the chef's signature dishes. Seafood lovers are in for a treat. Service is friendly and courteous, despite the long wait. Make sure you book in advance, as the room is small and fills up fast.

A classic, chic and cosy atmosphere for this traditional Portuguese restaurant. On the menu are typical Portuguese meat and fish dishes, such as rice with duck or baked octopus, as well as vegetarian dishes and an excellent dessert menu. The pineapple carpaccio and the fruit salad with ginger sauce are real delights. Far from the traditional Portuguese canteen, the dishes here are beautifully presented and the cuisine is highly refined. Yet the restaurant is still very affordable, making it an excellent address.

A superb address for tapas and cocktails. In an original setting with Japanese touches, the atmosphere and service are above all convivial. On the beautifully lit terrace or in the dining room, large communal tables open the way to new encounters and discussions. It's an opportunity to experience a shared meal, in good company. Shy diners can also enjoy more private spaces. Here, you can enjoy a variety of refined petiscos and cocktails. A place like no other.

This small, unassuming snack bar serves good local cuisine. Located right in the center of Ponta Delgada, it's ideal for a simple meal among the Azoreans. It's popular and friendly, and serves hearty, gourmet dishes. A special mention goes to the pork chops cooked with garlic and peppers, which are very tasty! The welcome is friendly, the service fast, and the food homemade. You'll leave this little establishment full and satisfied. Extended opening hours and excellent value for money.

A typical restaurant in a rustic house on the outskirts of Praia da Vitória, on the small road leading to Fontinhas. You'll be greeted in Portuguese by the owner, in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The place is mostly frequented by locals, who come here to enjoy meat and fish specialties. Thealcatra regional, a typical Terceira stew, is succulent. The portions are hearty and the prices very low. A good address, simple and unpretentious.

If you're passing through Achadinha on your way down to Poço Azul, a stop at this charming restaurant of the same name is a must! Very pleasant - even if the room can sometimes be a little noisy - it serves tasty Azorean specialities. A buffet menu is available at an unbeatable price, but you'll also find meat and fish dishes, and even a few vegetarian options à la carte. Don't miss the pineapple dessert! Everything is excellent and the service is efficient and smiling, so you're sure to have a good time.

In the pedestrian street of Velas, a restaurant with a warm decor, where an open kitchen allows you to admire Luisa at work behind her stove. Tuna steak, suckling pig, octopus... Luisa proposes a traditional Portuguese cuisine where everything, up to the fries, is home-made. The fish and meat come from the island. If the cooking is of quality, the prices of the menu remain quite moderate. Let us add to that that the reception is very sympathetic. You will have understood it, it is an excellent address on Velas.

With its large windows facing the ocean, Quebra Mar offers a superb view of the coast between São Mateus da Calheta and Angra do Heroísmo and a menu that highlights local products and specialties from the island of Terceira.

This is a charming and unpretentious address with an Iberian atmosphere where you can enjoy tapas, cheese boards and good Portuguese specialties, washed down with good wines or sangria and where you can regularly attend live fado sessions.

This small establishment in the center has the advantage of having three or four nice tables on the terrace and a small menu with Portuguese and international specialties at a very good value. A good option. Also very popular in the evening for a drink.

In a relaxed atmosphere, Tutti Food offers some Portuguese specialties and popular international specialties (spaghetti carbonara, tagliatelle with pesto, pizza, fried chicken...). At breakfast or snack time, you can also enjoy excellent and hearty desserts and fresh fruit juices.

The restaurant O Castelinho is nestled in the fort São Sebastião. A 16th century fortress overlooking the bay of Angra and facing Monte Brasil. A superb setting and a beautiful view to taste traditional recipes of the island, including the famous beef alcatra, but also freshly caught fish and vegetarian proposals of local products.

Away from the center of Angra, this establishment is one of the great classics of Terceira, with hunting trophies, photos of touradas and agricultural tools hanging on the walls. But above all with a deliciously rustic menu to taste the specialties of the island. An address off the beaten track.

Located on the Angra marina, just next to the agencies offering sea trips, this restaurant with large windows offers a pleasant view, a terrace when the sun is shining, and a simple and efficient menu mixing local and international specialties (burgers, poke bowls).

Os Moínhos is one of the best typical restaurants in Terceira. Installed in an old mill, it offers the perfect opportunity to taste the traditional specialties, especially the unavoidable Alcatra of beef. And the welcome is always very warm.

On weekends, O Pirata is one of the busiest places in Angra do Heroísmo. It is a hybrid place where people come for simple, unpretentious (and quite good!) food and for a drink in the second half of the evening. On the heights of the city, the view of the ocean and the port from the terrace is exceptional

This is the best place in town to eat ultra fresh sushi, sashimi, rolls, makis, californias, baos (and others...)! If there are a few tables inside, you can also take them away and enjoy them on a sunny day on a bench of the marina, located at a stone's throw. Smart tip: the Moshi Me assortment (18 pieces for 13 euros) is a great deal with unbeatable value for money.

Le Birou is a very popular address thanks to its small, peaceful terrace just a few steps from the marina. The dishes are simple, but fresh and perfectly executed. Pasta dishes, salads, burgers, but also the fresh fish of the day and the famous regional alcatra for two. And, after the meal, there's room for good cocktails! Continuous service in high season.