Cape Verde can be found in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa. The country spans 10 different islands of volcanic origin and several dozen small islets. Every island boasts its own distinctive culture and selection of landmarks and attractions. There are all kinds of islands to explore; each of them offering a different experience, hence the art of "island hopping" is very popular here, with tourists travelling across multiple islands to experience everything this fascinating archipelago has to offer.
Cape Verde is famous for its eclectic mix of music and cuisine; its charming local villages, numerous volcanoes (most but not all of which are extinct), amazing weather, and its unique culture that is a blend of Portuguese, African and Brazilian cultures. Cape Verde's islands are divided into two groups, the Barlavento Islands (windward islands), which are: Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia, Sao Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista and the Sotavento Islands (leeward islands), which are Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava. A wonderfully diverse holiday destination - definitely add Cape Verde to your bucket list.
Local cuisine
A traditional taverna at heart, the Les Palmiers restaurant offers true Cape Verdian food and entertainment. The restaurant boasts a long buffet of local dishes, plays local music and offers free Caipirinha cocktails to customers. Cheers!
The O Cantinho Escondido is a modern Cape Verdian restaurant with classic Portuguese décor. This is one of the highest rated restaurants in Santo Antao, with fantastic food and impeccable service. The restaurant focuses mostly on local seafood dishes and other unique Cape Verdian specialities.
Perhaps the most popular traditional taverna in Maio, the Chez Pastis is where even locals go when they want a taste of true Cape Verdian cuisine. The restaurant serves the best Brazilian meat, seafood dishes made from locally caught produce and vegetarian dishes among others. The diverse menu of Chez Pastis has brought worldwide recognition and numerous awards.
The Atlantis is a top-end seafood eatery in Santa Maria on the island of Sal. Specialising in local fish dishes prepared with meticulous care, the Atlantis is a distinguished restaurant that doesn't forget its roots. Service is excellent and the portions are hearty, while prices are reasonable for the quality of food you get.
The Esplanda Silibell is a quality restaurant serving local specialties in Santiago. The restaurant boasts a spacious patio with great view over the beach and specialises in seafood and local appetizers that go particularly well with the Cape Verdian wines offered there.
The O Pescador is a popular restaurant outside Praia. It serves Portuguese and Cape Verdian dishes that are considered even by locals to be some of the best on the island. The O Pescador, is often listed in international guides as one of the "must visit" restaurants around Praia.
The Fortim Carlota is a traditional taverna in Sao Fillipe, a beautiful village in Fogo. The restaurant's décor is plain but its food is amazing and makes up for the rather unimpressive exterior. The menu is budget priced and the portions are large enough to fill even the hungriest surfers who come here after a long day at the beach.
European
The TuttiFrutti is a fascinating Italian restaurant waiting to be discovered in the middle of nowhere on the island of Maio by hungry tourists and adventurous gourmands. The restaurant's international menu includes locally inspired takes on timeless Italian classics along with more exotic dishes. This is a unique eatery not quite anything else on Maio.
The La Villa is a Mediterranean-style restaurant in Sal's Santa Maria. La Villa serves local dishes as well as Mediterranean seafood specialties. All fish are locally caught and as fresh as they can be. Local fishermen deliver fish literally still alive at La Villa's doorstep.
Located in the heart of Boa Vista, the Unico Amor Cafe & Restaurante serves Italian and European dishes to tourists and locals alike. This is perhaps the best place to get some traditional sweet pastry along with genuine Italian coffee beverages in Cape Verde. The restaurant welcomes large groups of tourists and families with young children.
The Chandinho is a high end European themed restaurant in Boa Vista. The décor is luxurious and the food is masterfully cooked by the Chandinho's chefs. This is one of the highest rated restaurants in Boa Vista, with numerous distinctions and culinary awards.
Arguably the best pizzeria on the whole archipelago of Cape Verde, Gigi's Manera is located in Porto Antigo, a beautiful village in Sal. Gigi's has become famous for its huge pizzas and very accommodating services. Patrons can order their very own tailor-made pizza with all kinds of ingredients, ranging from the typical to the outrageously exotic.
The Tapas restaurant in Sao Vicente is just what it says in the cover; a tapas restaurant of the highest order. There are hardly any "large" dishes here, instead the menu is full of tasty and unusual tapas and customers are urged to order at least half a dozen different tapas dishes to fully explore what this cosy restaurant has to offer.
International
The Chocolate restaurant in Sao Vicente is the island's best desserts shop and a lot more than that too! This is perhaps the best place to taste the freshest sashimi and sushi dishes in Cape Verde, finishing off with one of the restaurant's amazing desserts.
Angela's Restaurant is an internationally-themed restaurant that serves local and international dishes reinvented by Angela herself. The restaurant looks homely and very plain from the outside but the food is world-class and the service top-notch.
Specialising in African, Caribean and international delicacies, the Fon'Banana is one of the most interesting restaurants in Boa Vista. Despite the high quality, the prices are fairly low and the restaurant's menu is extensive and full of surprises. The restauant's impressive selection of foods includes locally produced desserts and tasty milkshakes.
Located right on the beach of Sal's Santa Maria, the Le Prive is a restaurant and a beach bar rolled in one. It boasts friendly and romantic atmosphere, an international menu and fantastic service. This is the perfect eatery for romantic dates on the island of Sal.
The La Bodeguita de Mindelo is a Caribbean and Cuban late-night restaurant in Sao Vicente. The food and drinks are fantastic, as is the atmosphere. The food, as well as the décor, is infused with authentic Cuban style. Many food critics consider this one of the best international restaurants in Mindelo thanks to its impressive, unique menu and the extremely high quality of service.
Top end
The Morabeza is a classy local restaurant in Santo Antao. This is an international recognized eatery, distinguished for its unique culinary fusion of Portuguese, African and Brazilian cuisines. The prices are reasonable (for a world-class restaurant), and the food is just sublime. You may have to book a table well in advance as this is one of the most popular restaurants in Cape Verde.
The Quintal da Musica is a contemporary, top-end restaurant in Praia, Cape Verde's capital. This internationally famous restaurant strives to offer a multi-sensory experience that combines, smells, sights, textures sounds and tastes from Cape Verde to create dishes of the highest order. The Quintal da Musica is considered by many critics to be one of the best in Cape Verde.
Located in the heart of the nation's capital, the Mediterraneo Restaurante is one of the highest rated gourmet restaurants in Cape Verde. The restaurant serves authentic local food, reinvented through the most modern 21st century culinary trends. The food is incredible and the restaurant's chefs are among the most famous in Cape Verde.
Located on a scenic beachfront in Sao Vicente, the Caravela Restaurante is a fantastic African-themed gourmet restaurant. This is one of the highest rated African restaurants in the world, offering a unique culinary experience to tourists and discerning gourmands. The Caravela is very child-friendly (with a menu to match).
The Restaurante Gaudi is a top quality international restaurant in the heart of Sao Vicente. While the prices are not the most inviting, the menu is so impressive that will get you back for more. The restaurant is famous for its chocolate creations and fancy seafood dishes such as fresh lobster and salmon delicacies.
Cafes, snack bars & shacks
Situated in the historic Sao Pedro area of San Vicente, the Sto Andre is a casual café-bistro that has recently become famous for its food as well as its atmosphere. The bistro is romantic and discreet, attracting locals and discerning tourists who come to Sto Andre to socialise in style.
The Le Bistro is s expected, a bistro on the island of Fogo and one of the best spots to sip high quality coffee on the volcanic island. The bistro is charming and unpretentiously beautiful, perfect for meeting others and relaxing in a friendly atmosphere.
Perhaps the most popular bistro on Sal, the Ocean Café is the trendiest café in Santa Maria. Located right inside the historic district of the town, the Ocean is always full with tourists and classy locals. It serves great coffee blends and tasty snacks in a cosy, modern environment. The Ocean café also boasts several quality suites available for rent.
The Tam Tam, Bar & Restaurant is an Irish pub-restaurant in Sal. The Tam Tam offers authentic Irish food and snacks to homesick tourists who wish a taste from back home. This is also one of the very few places where tourists can watch international sports events on wide TV sets. Drinks are cheap and the Tam Tam boasts a fine selection of beers and lagers.
The Leonardo Café is a fancy international café bistro in the heart of Santa Maria on the island of Sal. The Leonardo attracts discerning crowds who come for the classy music, the fine coffee blends (imported from all around the world) and the high quality snacks that range from French sweet pastry to local seafood bites.
The Geko Gourmet is a fusion bistro that approaches Spanish cuisine from a different angle. The food is quite unlike anything else on Cape Verde, with fusion tapas, internationally inspired chilli dishes and many other interesting and novel culinary inventions to fascinate your palate.
The Cafe Creoulo boasts true Creole style and serves real African and local snacks just like locals love them. This café attracts mostly locals and tourists who seek to explore Cape Verde's culture away from the watered down tourist track. The café Creoulo is family friendly and very hospitable.
The Giramondo Ice Cream Café is the most popular ice cream store in Sal. Simply delicious, the ice cream of Giramondo is produced daily. There are tons of different flavours ranging from the typical to the exotic (including some you won't find somewhere else). Apart from ice cream, the café's savoury snacks are also worthy a mention.
Seafood & grills / BBQ
The Serenata is perhaps the best restaurant in Calhau, ranked very high by numerous international critics. The restaurant specialises on healthy eating and genuinely fresh seafood dishes. The menu is not particularly extensive but does include vegan and vegetarian dishes as well as the Serenata's award winning seafood delicacies.
The O Poeta is a popular seafood restaurant in Praia, the nation's capital. The restaurant gives a lot of attention to detail in preparing seafood dishes to be as tasty as possible. Emphasis is given on quality rather than quantity and the prices, while reasonable, are not the cheapest on the island.
The Blue Marlin serves the freshest, locally caught sea food dishes on the island of Boa Vista. The restaurant serves local as well as Mediterranean seafood dishes cooked with traditional as well as contemporary styles. This is a very busy restaurant so you may have to book your table a few weeks in advance to make sure you get to experience the fish dishes here.
The Hungry Frog is an unusual seafood and BBQ restaurant in Santa Maria, Sal's capital. The menu is modern and the portions are particularly large. The restaurant is unpretentious and very friendly, with cheap prices and a menu that delights young and old alike. This is a very popular restaurant that is almost always full.
The Pica Pau is an unusual and pleasantly surprising restaurant in Sao Vicente's Mindelo. The restaurant has only half a dozen tables and is decorated mostly with happy customers' notes of appreciation. It serves seafood and meat dishes that are just amazing, so it's no surprise the Pica Pau is almost always full. The prices are very low and the music is always loud and very entertaining.