The best restaurants Praia

Far from the hustle and bustle of the capital, yet so close, you can be surprised by the soft music of the ebb and flow of the waves and the wind that shakes the palm trees. On the small cove of Prainha, this "feet in the water" restaurant promises you an experience so radically cool that some people make it their canteen. High quality extra-fresh fish, delicious desserts and caipirinha galore accompanied by cod croquettes (among others) will make you have a good time in a vacation atmosphere. Live bands and entertainment on weekends.

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.

Anabel's is a place that is still hidden, but which is just waiting to be discovered. We go there to have a breakfast, taste the pancakes and fill up with energy. Sweet tooths will be in for a treat with very fun creations, including the great house specialty, the colorful ice roll in all flavors. Fruit smoothies and egg and bacon bagels are available at all hours, for the most delicious snack. Fantastic brunch and good atmosphere on Sunday.

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.

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.

Gianfranco, the Italian (and French-speaking) manager is a great local figure, and is very friendly, perhaps this explains in part why his restaurant is so popular. The environment is pleasant and you can eat good pizzas on the terrace, cooked in front of your eyes, with evocative names (Di nôs Terra, Fogo, etc.) The rest of the menu is purely traditional: pasta, antipasti... without forgetting a wide and beautiful selection of wines to accompany everything, Italian style.

Hurry to Benfica before it becomes too popular. For the time being, this space dedicated to grills (churrasco in Portuguese) is only frequented by locals. The locals love to spend time in a good-natured and relaxed atmosphere, typically Cape Verdean, in front of a cold beer and to taste pinchos (small skewers of pork) or grilled chicken. In the background, there are football games or telenovelas playing non-stop or live music sometimes in the evening. Good, hearty and very affordable.

The restaurant is part of the residence Praia Guesthouse and offers a wide choice of fish and seafood dishes, with local flavours mixed with Portuguese influences. Here we only work with fresh products coming from the market. The menu changes every season.

If you want to eat Brazilian food, visit Sunday, where you can test the rodizio, a rich buffet of grilled meats. Other days, return to portuguese kitchen with a card rich in fish and meat. It is recommended that de na secrete (a steak you cook directly on the burning stone) and especially Terra Mar (mixed grill of seafood and seafood products: tuna, lobster, octopus, mignon, etc.). Maria, the owner is accustomed to receiving in his restaurant the entire elite of the capital. Don't be surprised to see famous Cape Verde singers or even the president of the republic! Every Friday evening, from 20 a. m. to midnight, an orchestra plays a variety of music. Finally, let us not forget the magnificent sea view from the terrace and the French-speaking staff. Good value for money.

Maria's restaurant has a very friendly atmosphere, and the staff are just as cheerful as the owner. People come to Flor de Lis to try typical dishes such as cachupa, friginato and molho Sao Nicolão (a goat meat dish served with sweet potatoes, manioc, millet and a type of local rice called xerem). Don't leave without trying the Cape Verdean couscous, which turns out to be... a dessert! The restaurant has recently undergone a facelift, with a more modern look. You'll also appreciate the lovely elevated terrace.

Sun terrace, just above the beach of Quebra. Ideal for a drink or eating on the thumb. Good pizzas.

Good service and dinner are often accompanied by music. Not expensive, and rich.

If you're looking for bling-bling, don't go there: Campanas is the opposite. It is a highly popular address, not (yet) touristy, with a terrace and a small room quickly invaded by a local population in need of meetings and agape. But above all by those who want to dance, have fun, sing, or even take up an instrument to participate... all in an overexcited atmosphere. With a little luck, you will have the opportunity to see the famous Nho Nany who performs there on weekends. On the kitchen side, African flavors on the menu.

A bakery-pastry shop (and delicatessen) run by Portuguese people where you can have breakfast or a coffee with a pastel de nata. The bread is very good, fresh and available in several varieties. The perfect place for a meal on the run or a quick snack, with all kinds of toast on the menu (chicken, cheese, vegetarian), the famous bifana dish, the king of Portuguese snacks, hamburgers and sandwiches freshly made to order. On the strength of its success, the chain has several addresses in town, which are very popular with young people.

A bakery, but not only, because at any time of the day, we serve you a home-made cachupa worthy of the name, perfect for the small hollows, or the dish of the day. The bread rolls are available in all their forms, with seeds or flavored with onion, carrot, chorizo or cinnamon, leaving room for creativity. Thick banana cakes, creamy custards, candied fruit cakes and Portuguese pastéis de nata share the window, on the greedy side.

You can feel the passion for good food as soon as you enter this restaurant. And you come out satisfied: by the quality of the dishes, on the one hand, and the cordial and warm service, on the other hand. So much so that one would almost adopt it as a canteen, the time of a stay. Meat lovers will be delighted by the succulence of the grilled meats, served on the spit, churrasco style. But we don't forget the richness of the sea that surrounds us and what it has to offer: octopus in Lagareiro and bacalhau with a Portuguese touch, all washed down with good wines.

"Impossible to think well or sleep well if you've eaten badly" is the credo of this restaurant, which doesn't want to belie the adage. The menu is punctuated by Italian cuisine, as the name suggests: some thirty different wood-fired pizzas (including the spicy Demoniaca), focaccia, carpaccio, gnocchi, risotto, bruschetta... the names alone speak of the land of the boot. A quick visit just to enjoy the view? Don't worry, cocktails are also a big part of the menu.

All you have to do is descend a short flight of steps and you're standing on the sand. That's how well-placed this beach hut is, anchored as it is on the pretty Kebra Canela. Both the marine decor and the menu are inspired by the location, the latter featuring dishes such as grilled octopus, shrimp and cod, 100% cliché but a joy to indulge in. In short, simple yet tasteful formulas in this cool spot, best enjoyed on a Sunday lunchtime, for example, and followed by a swim.