Terceira, Azores Food Guide: The Best Restaurants & Foods to Try

The Azores are full of surprises, and one of the best is the food. If you're planning a trip to this Portuguese archipelago, this Terceira Azores food guide will help you discover the island's best local flavors.

Terceira is known for its hearty dishes, volcanic cooking, and traditional restaurants that serve seriously good food. Whether you're into meat, seafood, or sweet treats, there’s something here for everyone.

In this guide, we’ll cover what to eat, where to eat it, and a few fun activities to enjoy for the food and wine lovers.

Terceira, Azores Food Guide: A Brief Intro

Before diving into the top dishes to try in the Azores, and the best restaurants on the island, we want to give you a bit of an idea what it's like to eat and drink in Terceira. Here are some details about the cuisine, as well as some frequently asked questions by travelers.

 What Kind of Food are the Azores Known For?

The Azores are known for their excellent beef, fresh seafood, and delicious pastries. Each island has their own specialties, but they also share their cuisine with touches of influence from the Portuguese mainland.

The islands are also known for a special type of cooking, which is barbecuing for long hours underground!

 Is Eating Out Expensive in the Azores?

Eating out in the Azores is pretty standard to many Western European destinations. If you go to small, locally run places, you'll find very affordable prices, and if you go to more tourist-driven establishments you can expect to pay a bit more.

Portions are generous in the Azores, and plates are full of flavor and nutrients making it an excellent destination for foodies!

 Can You Drink Tap Water in Terceira?

Tap water is perfectly safe to drink in Terceira! Most restaurants will default to bringing bottled water to the table. There are some that will happily bring you tap water, while others will simply refuse.

We'd recommend carrying a reusable water bottle with you, and you can also fill it for free at some fountains around the island!

 What is the Tipping Culture in the Azores?

The tipping culture in the Azores is a standard 10%. At some of the more touristy spots you'll see service included in the bill, while in others you'll have to leave it in cash separately (it's just a suggestion, but recommended).

Terceira, Azores Food Guide: Top Azorean Dishes and Local Specialties to Try

Now that you know a bit about Azorean cuisine, and what to expect while eating and drinking in Terceira, let's dive into the next part of our Terceira, Azores food guide, covering all of the must-try dishes!

 Local Dishes from Terceira

• Alcatra: beef stew made in a clay pot with wine, spices, and onions.
• Dona Amelia: A molasses and spice cake created in honor of Queen Amélia's visit to the island.
• Alfenim: A traditional Azorean candy made from sugar, molded into delicate decorative shapes.
• Queso Vaquinha: A creamy, locally produced cow’s milk cheese 
• Rump: Tender, grilled rump steak sourced from Terceira’s lush, volcanic pastures.
• Boca Negra: A mild and buttery deep-sea fish, typically served grilled or baked.
• Torresmos de Cabinho: Crispy, marinated pork chunks fried and often served at local celebrations.
• Verdelho Wine: A dry white wine with a mineral finish, made from grapes grown in volcanic soil.

 Other Specialties from the Azores

• Bolo Levado: traditional bread usually served with garlic butter - make sure to get a sandwich with it!
• Cozido das Furnas: a meat stew that is cooked in the ground!
• Lapas: also known as limpets, these mollusks are found in the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands.
• Sopa de Peixe: thick and creamy, and sometimes even served in a bread bowl!
• Bife o Pimenta: local beef smothered in a pepper sauce.
• Açoreaninha: the specialty sandwich from Porto, but with an Azorean twist featuring local cheese and beef.
• Salada de polvo: octopus marinated in vinegar with peppers and lemon.

Terceira, Azores Food Guide: The Best Restaurants in Terceira

Now that you know what to order when you're out to all of the incredible restaurants in Terceira, let's bring you to the best ones out there!

Terceira is a small island, but there is no shortage of great restaurants to check out. From the more popular tourist-recommended spots to some hidden gems we found, we're going to share you all of the best places to eat and drink.

Don't have time to read the whole article and want to save it for later? Just pin it!

The Best Restaurants in Terceira

There are so many great restaurants in Terceira, which is why we've separated them by category. Here's our list of the top places to eat and drink in Terceira, whether you're looking for a cafe to work in, authentic local flavors, or a sports bar to catch the game at.

 The Best Cafes in Terceira

As digital nomads, we are constantly on the look for great cafes to work at. There aren't a ton of incredible cafes, but these three are definitely incredible for food, coffee, Wifi, and vibes.

Coffee Cabana

If you're looking for a truly authentic and unique experience while in Terceira then don't miss out on Coffee Cabana! We were looking for a cafe early in the morning (okay - not THAT early, but many cafes don't open until after 9 or 10), when we stumbled across this gem.

The property has a campsite and their own coffee and banana plantation. They have simple baked goods, and have a special method for brewing their coffee. Sit in the cozy cabin or take a seat outside overlooking the stunning banana plantation. Oh, and make sure to try the banana bread!

Mercearia d'Angra

This was the best cafe we found in Angra for both breakfast and Wifi. The adorable cafe is right in the center but tucked away on a quieter street. It's cozy, has great food, and also has a little shop with local products.

Lar Doce Livro

This is quite literally the perfect place for those wanting to work, read, or simply enjoy a quaint atmosphere while sipping their coffee.

We went on a Friday night with some work to do, and were so pleasantly surprised to have live music all night. We sipped coffee, soaked up the vibes, and got our work done, making it the perfect combo for those wanting to enjoy their office away from home.

 The Best Traditional Restaurants in Terceira

There are several specially rated restaurants that the tourism board has certified and recommends travelers to visit in Terceira.

The restaurants are beautifully decorated to have an authentic feel, and they have menus with traditional dishes. They tend to be a bit pricier than the average restaurant, but experiencing at least one is definitely a must.

Ti Choa

Ti Choa is definitely one of the restaurants in Terceira you'll have to reserve and plan for in advance. They only open from Monday to Saturday from 12:00-4:00.

As soon as you walk in you realize why it's so popular. The atmosphere is incredible and the place is just buzzing. The couple next to us recommended getting the set menu for 15 euros/person which included a variety of local specialties, and we really enjoyed it.

One thing we would like to note though is that our server was bringing extra plates to the table making it seem like it was part of the meal, and we later found out it was not. It did leave a slightly bitter taste in our mouth, but as long as you are aware and specify with your server, you should be able to avoid this.

Quinta do Martelo

As soon as you walk into Quinta do Martelo you'll notice what looks like a very old shop - super vibrant and quirky. But head upstairs and you'll be greeted with a beautiful traditionally decorated restaurant with a few different rooms inside, and a balcony with pretty views of the garden outside.

We stopped in for a small bite, getting two soups. Boy, were we wrong - the soups were complete meals in themselves! Everything else that the people around us also looked amazing - full of tender meats, crips wines, and a whole lot of love poured into each dish.

As soon as you walk into

Restaurante Taberna Roberto

We got this recommendation by the tourism board, but were also confirmed by another couple we met traveling that the food was outstanding.

They have an entire wall just of wine bottles to choose from, perfect to have for a pairing with their incredible set menus that they offer. This will definitely be on our list for the next trip we make there!

Restaurante Os Moinhos

This is another one of the top rated restaurants on the island which was recommended by the tourist office. Unfortunately we never got to make it there, but it's known for its cozy atmosphere and hearty stews and soups.

Quinta dos Acores

Quinta dos Acores was hands-down one of our favorite restaurants on the island, and honestly no Terceira, Azores food guide would be complete without including it.

The restaurant sits in the hills above Angra do Heroismo giving fantastic panorama views. We thought it would be a massive tourist trap, but the prices were great, and the food was delicious! You can also visit their shop for some souvenirs or local products or grab a cone of ice cream as well.

We highly recommend getting the Açoreaninha!

Marina Grill - Quinta dos Acores

When we first got to Angra we were looking for something open for a quick bite. The marina restaurant was beautiful with both indoor and outdoor seating, and everything we ate was fabulous! Not only that, we later found out it's also part of Quinta dos Acores, so not surprising that both were amazing!

 The Best Local Restaurants in Terceira

Looking for something a bit more low key? These restaurants we found by getting local's recommendations, or simply buy stumbling in and falling in love with the food. Here are some no-frills restaurants in Terceira with excellent food.

Marisqueria Sabores Do Atlantico

This was the first restaurant we tried in Terceira, recommended to us by the car rental company. Located right outside the airport, it's a really convenient place to eat as soon as you arrive or right before flying out. They have really good seafood, and we also loved their soup.

Restaurante Quebra Mar

This was another recommendation by our car rental which did not disappoint. Located right on the water, you can enjoy scenic views with excellent seafood. You can get fish chowder in a bread bowl too! It was definitely heavy on the bread to soup ratio, but was tasty nonetheless.

Restaurante Doze Ribeiras

This was one of our absolute favorite finds on the island. We had our heart set on dining at Ti Choa, but they only had availability for their second seating at 2:00 pm. It was noon, and we were famished, so decided to go to the closest restaurant that was open for a snack.

We were greeted with a smile in this small restaurant and explained every single fresh fish option that they had for the day. We had just a couple of plates (like seafood salad and soup) but both were so delicious. We will definitely have to make it back there for a full meal, because the chef is so talented, and everything is so fresh.

Fonte das Sete Bicas

Our tour guide for our incredible jeep tour claims this is the best restaurant on the island. As soon as we heard that we sprinted right on over, only to be heartbroken that they were closed for our last day in Terceira. 

Please try it and report back! From his descriptions, we have to imagine it's truly fantastic and a must for any authentic Terceira Azores food guide.

Restaurante O Pescador

This is another locally recommended restaurant in Terceira that we unfortunately didn't make it to but heard fabulous things about. They're known for their seafood, so don't miss out on getting one of their tasty seafood dishes.

 The Best International Restaurant in Terceira

Are you from the US and looking for something familiar? How about just having something different than the traditional Azorean restaurant? Well, we have one international restaurant that we recommend, especially for sports lovers.

The Texan

When we found out there was an American restaurant in Terceira, we were honestly planning on staying far away. After all, we're there to experience local flavors! However, when we wanted to watch the finals for the Champion's League, we found them to be one of the most solid options for watching sports.

We caved, and decided to go for a drink and a little snack. Boy, that Tex Mex was SO good. From the mini chimichangas to the Tortilla Soup we thoroughly enjoyed every bite we had.

Not only was the food great, but service was outstanding, and it was a super fun place to have drinks and watch the game.

 The Best Wine & Cheese in Terceira

Looking for some local specialties? Then don't miss out on these two locations known for their wines and cheeses.

Queijo Vaquinha

Quejio Vaquinha is the most popular cheese on the island, and you can actually visit their factory! You can sample a variety of cheeses, pair it with some wine or beer, and take a peak into the production process.

Wine Museum

Head over to the Wine Museum in Biscoitos and you can learn about the unique volcanic-wine traditions of the island, and do a wine tasting.

Terceira, Azores Food Guide: Unique Food & Drink Experiences

Now that you know what to eat on the island, and the best restaurants to try, let's get into our favorite part of our Terceira, Azores food guide! We're all about unique experiences, and these activities will be sure to leave you with the best impressions of Azorean cuisine and the local drinks of the region.

Visit the Wine Museum

Located in Biscoitos, the Wine Museum is a great place to dive into the island’s unique wine-making traditions. You’ll learn about local grape varieties, traditional tools, and how wineries are made along volcanic soil. 

Wine tasting there is optional, but definitely something we recommend while on the island!

Have a Wine Tasting at a Volcanic Winery

Not only does Biscoitos have a wine museum you can check out, but there are a ton of local wineries which offer tastings right next to the vineyards. Giving you a chance to try local wines and soak up the views, it’s certainly one of the top things to do in Terceira for foodies.

Take a Local Cooking Class

Want to learn how to create the most popular dishes of the Azores? This immersive cooking class is an absolute must! You'll join locals at a stunning property with scenic panoramas and learn to cook like an Azorean. 

You'll have local wine, cook, and eat your heart out - truly one of the best experiences to enjoy the flavors that the island has to offer.

Terceira, Azores Food Guide: Final Thoughts & Recap

Now you have all of the information for eating and drinking your way around one of the most incredible islands in Portugal! But in case you missed anything, here's a bit of a recap of our Terceira, Azores food guide:

• Terceira's cuisine is part of Azorean cuisine.
• Terceira has its own island specialities like Dona Amelia and Alfenim.
• Azorean dishes have a lot of delicious meats and fish.
• Terceira is particularly known for its incredible beef.
• Tap water is safe to drink, but not typical for locals.
• Biscoitos is known for its volcanic wine production, so don't miss out on the wine museum and the wine tastings offered!
• The tourism office has sponsored restaurants that have a local feel - they're beautiful, but much pricier.

What's Next?

Now that you know you've finished our Terceira, Azores food guide, you'll probably want to know all of the other great things to see and do on the island! Here are some other articles we've written which will help you plan an amazing trip to Terceira:

 How to Get to Terceira, Azores: Flights, Ferries, & Travel Tips

 21 Awesome Things to Do in Terceira, Azores

 The 10 Best Viewpoints in Terceira: Where to Find the Island's Most Scenic Spots

 22 Best Photo Spots in Terceira: Capturing the Beauty of This Azorean Islands

 Best Sunset Spots in Terceira: Top Places to Watch the Sun Go Down

...and more coming each week!

So are you ready to eat and drink your way around the island? The Azores has so much incredible food, and we hope our Terceira, Azores food guide has helped you plan the top route for tasting the best flavors of the island.

Want to learn more about visiting Terceira and the Azores islands? We have a ton of other Portugal travel guides coming up, so be sure to subscribe to our newsletter- you'll receive all of our weekly article updates and exclusive discounts on our shop!

Ready to start planning an unforgettable trip to Terceira? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers custom travel planning services, creating you specially-curated trip itineraries and local experiences. Want to learn more? Simply send us an email for your free consultation!

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