Food And Drink

You will generally find a good selection of restaurants in the main towns offering different choices of cuisine including local Creole and Portuguese specialities.

Many restaurants will have live, generally Cape Verdean music at least one evening a week. If you like fish, you will be in paradise with an abundance of freshly caught seafood including lobster, tuna, octopus, garoupa and a wealth of other delicacies to choose from.

The smaller islands including Boa Vista will not have the same choice of restaurants and there may be little choice on the menu with the only option being to eat what they have prepared that day. However, they will want to do their best to please you but they won't be in a terrific hurry. Don't be surprised at the slow service, just relax and enjoy the atmosphere and people. Expect to pay between £10 and £25 for a three course meal with wine.

Restaurant Guide

Your representative in resort will be able to offer advice about the current reputation of restaurants and any new establishments that may have opened.

Sal

All the following restaurants are located in Santa Maria.
Barracuda
Fish restaurant with beautiful food and great service.
La Tortue
Morabeza's Cape Verdean Buffet - must prebook.
Excellent entertainment and very popular.
Mateus
Cape Verdean cuisine, stick to the fish dishes.
Live folk music.
Chéz Pastis
Excellent seafood, small with atmosphere.
Atlantis French cuisine. Impressive setting right on the beach, perfect for a special occasion.
Funana
Creole cuisine. Special buffet night with live music located on the beach.
Restaurant Americos
Typical Cape Verdean cuisine. Excellent seafood rice and grilled shrimps.

Boa Vista

Sodade di nha Terra - Rabil
No specific menu but great food and popular with the locals. A true Cape Verdean experience.
Parque das Dunas
Located within the hotel with great sea views.
Serves lovely Cape Verdean dishes.

São Vicente

Hotel Porto Grande - Mindelo
Fantastic location in the city centre overlooking the square, serving fish, steak and pizzas.
Tradisson e Morabeza - Mindelo
Excellent food and service.

Santiago

Alkimist - Praia
Specialises in Italian food, fresh fish and seafood.
Alex's - Praia
Located within the Pestana Tropico Hotel, reputedly the best restaurant in Santiago

Cape Verdean Dishes

Cachupa Rica - A slow boiled stew with maize, sweet potato, pumpkin, vegetables, fish, meat or chicken.

Perceves (Sea Fingers) - Funnily enough they look like purply brown fingers. You crack off the end and peel the skin to reveal the meat (similar texture to squid).

Tuna - The freshest you could ever imagine, cooked in a variety of different ways.

Local Drinks

Grogue - locally produced from sugar cane to make this strong alcoholic drink.

Fogo wine - Very pleasant when drunk at the right time but can be hit and miss depending on the age of the grape.