The Azores are unlike anywhere else in Europe. Scattered across the Atlantic Ocean, these volcanic islands are known for dramatic coastlines, crater lakes, natural hot springs and lush green landscapes. Every island has its own character, and so does its food scene. During our travels we explored both São Miguel and Pico, discovering everything from specialty coffee and traditional pastries to outstanding restaurants and local wines. These are the places we’ve personally visited and genuinely recommend.
Places to Eat & Drink in São Miguel
Otaka
Without a doubt our favourite restaurant on São Miguel. Otaka serves beautifully prepared Japanese dishes with a strong focus on fresh fish, alongside several excellent vegetarian options. Whether you choose the tasting menu or order à la carte, every dish is prepared with incredible attention to detail.
Jardim Natural Food
Located in the middle of a beautiful park in Ponta Delgada, Jardim Natural Food is one of our favourite breakfast and lunch spots on the island. Expect colourful salads, fluffy pancakes, great coffee and plenty of healthy options.
TukáTulá Beach Bar
One of our favourite places to slow down after a day of exploring. Located directly on Santa Bárbara Beach, TukáTulá is the perfect spot for fresh seafood, good wines and beautiful ocean views. Grab a table outside around sunset and you’ll quickly understand why this beach bar is loved by both locals and surfers.
O Poejo
Step inside this charming old stone building and you’ll find one of the cosiest tea rooms on São Miguel. Order a cup of locally grown Azorean tea together with one of their homemade cakes and enjoy a slower pace of life.
Queijadas do Morgado
A true São Miguel institution. Queijadas do Morgado has been baking the island’s famous queijadas for generations, following a recipe rooted in centuries of tradition. You can even watch the pastries being made through the large windows while enjoying one fresh from the oven. In our opinion, they’re simply the best queijadas on the island.
O Rei dos Queijos
If you love local products, don’t skip this shop. It’s the perfect place to discover cheeses from across the Azores and put together your own cheese board. We paired ours with a volcanic white wine from the islands, and it turned into one of our favourite aperitivo moments of the trip.
Ananás dos Açores
Pineapples are one of São Miguel’s most famous local products, and this traditional pineapple plantation is well worth a visit. Learn about the unique greenhouse growing process and taste everything from fresh pineapple to pineapple liqueur and homemade pineapple ice cream.
Pico couldn’t feel more different from São Miguel. Life moves a little slower here, the landscapes are more rugged and the island feels wonderfully remote. Besides hiking through volcanic nature and spending time on the water, Pico surprised us most with its extraordinary wine culture. The UNESCO-listed vineyards, built between black lava stone walls, create one of the most unique wine landscapes we’ve ever seen. Add a handful of fantastic places to eat and drink, and you’ve got all the ingredients for an unforgettable stay. These are our favourite spots on Pico.
Places to Eat & Drink in Pico
Bioma
Without a doubt the culinary highlight of our time on Pico. Led by chefs Rafael and Franco, Bioma works almost exclusively with ingredients from the Azores. They grow their own produce, free dive for local seafood and collaborate closely with local farmers, fishermen and winemakers. Around 95% of everything on the menu comes from the islands, creating one of the most authentic dining experiences we’ve ever had in Portugal. Awarded 1 Repsol Sun, it’s easy to see why this restaurant is considered one of the culinary highlights of the Azores. If you’re looking for one truly special dinner on Pico, make it this one.
Stones
One of the most unique dining experiences on Pico. Stones is a small, intimate restaurant run by incredibly welcoming owners who have created something truly special. The concept is beautifully simple: choose between fresh fish, meat or vegetarian options and cook everything yourself on a 250°C volcanic lava stone. Add delicious sides, carefully selected wines and homemade desserts, and you’ve got the perfect setting for a relaxed evening.
Temporal
The best specialty coffee we found on Pico. Temporal serves excellent barista coffee alongside fresh pastries and homemade baked goods, all from a charming little kiosk by the waterfront. We ended up coming back several times—it quickly became one of our favourite stops on the island.
Ilha Foodtruck
One of those places you simply stumble upon and never forget. This food truck serves creative lunch dishes using fresh local ingredients, with seafood taking centre stage whenever possible. Grab one of the picnic tables outside, order whatever is on the daily menu and enjoy a relaxed lunch with views of the ocean. Small, simple and full of character.
Mar Sushi Terrace
Mar Sushi Terrace proves that sushi and the Azores are a perfect match. Everything is prepared exclusively with locally caught Azorean fish, making every visit slightly different depending on the catch of the day. Enjoy beautifully crafted sushi while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean—one of the most memorable dinner views on Pico.
Wineries in Pico
Pico’s UNESCO-listed vineyards are unlike any wine region we’ve visited. Vines grow between thousands of black lava stone walls, protecting them from the Atlantic winds and creating one of the world’s most unique wine landscapes. Even if you’re not a big wine drinker, visiting a few wineries is an absolute must.
A Cerca dos Frades
Definitely one of our favourites on Pico. Besides an excellent tasting, A Cerca dos Frades offer guided walks through the UNESCO-listed vineyards where you’ll learn how wine has been produced here for centuries. Walking between the lava stone walls while hearing the stories behind this extraordinary landscape made this one of the highlights of our trip.
Adega do Vulcão
A beautiful winery with a fascinating story. Adega do Vulcão combines traditional Pico grape varieties with a modern vision, producing wines that truly express the volcanic terroir of the Azores. Their peaceful garden is the perfect place to enjoy a tasting and slow down for a while.
Cooperativa Vitivinícola da Ilha do Pico
One of the island’s most important wineries. The cooperative works together with more than 200 local winegrowers, helping preserve Pico’s unique winemaking traditions while producing wines that represent the island as a whole. In our opinion, they also offer the most diverse selection of Pico wines, making it the perfect place to discover the island’s different styles.
Insula Vinus
One of our favourite wine experiences on Pico. Besides producing beautiful wines with minimal intervention, Insula Vinus also offers charming accommodation surrounded by the UNESCO-listed vineyards. We loved ending the day with a glass of their own wine by the pool overlooking the vines—a stay we’d happily recommend to anyone wanting to experience Pico at a slower pace.
