The best restaurants São Tomé

Small unpretentious café-restaurant where locals and expats gather in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Simple and good food is served relatively quickly: some of the staff speak enough French or English to decipher the menu and make themselves understood. You can enjoy local specialities, copious fish kebabs or homemade hamburgers. Sometimes, concerts of local artists animate the place. Friendly welcome, service sometimes a bit long. An address not to be missed in the capital!

Pirata, like an echo of the ship that ran aground not far from there, is an improved beach hut, with white tablecloths and wooden floor. It serves fish, lobsters, prawns, crabs and Brazilian-inspired dishes. The whole thing is ok but a bit disappointing considering the potential of the place which has an open view on the sea and the sound of the waves in the background. If you like to admire the landscape, come rather at lunch time: the bay is not lit at night and if there is a power cut... you will really not see anything anymore!

A charming corner in an old building which is a tea room and a small restaurant where you can sit down in a pleasant atmosphere, sheltered from view on a shady terrace. You can nibble on sea snails, a Santomean omelette, fresh salads, hamburgers, but especially very good pizzas. For dessert, fruit salad, passion fruit mousse and other home-made pastries. To refresh yourself, try the lemon juice with mint, delicious! Large choice of teas. Very pleasant welcome.

In this restaurant perched high up, where the view of the bay of São Tomé is magnificent, you can enjoy one of the best grilled fishes of the city. Fresh, tasty products accompanied by a variety of local vegetables and a plantain dish. The menu offers different species, available according to the arrivals: if there is swordfish on the menu, don't hesitate! The fish dishes are copious for a more than reasonable price. Very pleasant at sunset. Excellent value for money. A must.

Bar-restaurant serving fish, chicken or beef.

We eat Cape Verdean dishes: calalou, cachupa, meat or fish with cassava flour (joo joo).

Cosy snack bar with a roadside terrace, an open room and a green garden, in a more intimate setting. Some home-made sweet and savoury snacks: pizzas, quiches, filled croissants, empanadas, pastries and a delicious cod cake. Also grilled meat, accompanied by rice, plantains or breadfruit. Tasty local fruit juices. Sometimes, concerts animate the place. Billard and darts to have fun with friends.