Vegetarians who do not eat fish have a variety of options too – there always being the option of a hearty plate of rice and beans on a restaurant menu. The local speciality, cachupa, a type of stew, comes in a vegetarian (or “poor man’s”) version, which includes boilded maize, beans, herbs, cassava and sweet potato. Jams and semi dried fruits is also a local favourite, often served with goat’d cheese.
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.
The smaller islands will not have the same choice of restaurants, and where there are eateries there may be a little choice on the menu with the only option 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, so don't be surprised at slow service, just relax and enjoy the atmosphere and people. Expect to pay between £9 - £25 for a three-course meal with wine between.
Cape Verde Restaurant Guide
Our representative will be able to offer advice about the current reputation of restaurants and any new establishments that may have opened.
Sal
Barracuda
Fish restaurant with beautiful food and great service.
La Tortue
Morabeza's Cape Verdean Buffet - must pre-book. Excellent entertainment and very popular.
Mateus
Cape Verdean cuisine, stick to the fish dishes. Live folk music.
Café Criol
Traditional Criol Cuisine
Atlantis
French cuisine. Impressive setting right on the beach, perfect for a special occasion.
Funana
Criol 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 popular with the locals. Worth a visit if you want a true Cape Verdean experience.
Parque das Dunas
Located within the hotel with great sea views. Serves lovely Cape Verdean dishes and Italian wine.
Sao Vicente
Hotel Porto Grande
Fantastic location in 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, arguably the best restaurant in Santiago.
Cape Verdean dishes
Cachupa Rica - A slow boiled stew with maize, sweets 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).
Cracas - Consists of a pile of holey rocks covered with moss. Using a utensil similar to that of a knitting needle, you poke it inside, fish out the meat and eat.
Grogue – A popular locally produced alcoholic drink made from sugar cane.
Fogo wine - Very pleasant when drunk at the right time but can be hit and miss depending on the age of the grape.