The restaurants and markets in Praia cater to all tastes and budgets. In fact, the capital of Cape Verde is a great place to sample Cape Verde’s diverse, tasty and indeed mouth-watering culinary culture. This city offers many gastronomic options to enjoy not only the typical Cape Verdean food, but also the most modern, creative and international cuisine.
- Culinary culture of Cape Verde and Santiago Island
- Best restaurants in Praia
- Where to eat typical food in Praia
- Markets and other eateries
Culinary culture of Cape Verde and Santiago Island
The culinary culture of Cape Verde in general, and more specifically of Santiago Island, is the result of the fusion of two continents: Africa and Europe. In this privileged archipelago, because of its colonial past, the diet of the first settlers based on local fish and fruit merged with the Portuguese dishes and those of the west coast of Africa, brought by the slaves.
The result is a culinary culture in which the most diverse ingredients come into play: corn, rice, kidney beans, coconut, fruits such as guava and mango, dressings such as olive oil and all types of spices and, of course, an abundance of fish and seafood. Among the latter is the lobster, which is featured on the menu of many restaurants.
Alongside all these, wine produced in the nearby Fogo Island or brought from Portugal plays a major role in the culinary culture of Santiago Island and the rest of Cape Verde. There are also two local drinks: grogue (a sugar cane spirit) and punch.
Best restaurants in Praia
There are many diverse restaurants in Praia, with proposals ranging from the purest Cape Verdean tradition to innovation and influences from other countries. They are increasingly taking over the city’s cuisine thanks to younger chefs and the demand from growing tourism.
Here are some of the most highly rated and renowned restaurants in the city:
Jasmin (Hotel Barceló Praia Cape Verde)
The hotel’s buffet restaurant is a good way to get a taste of local cuisine without losing sight of the most popular (and sought-after) international dishes. The food offering at the Barceló Praia Cape Verde is rounded out by the Breeze Gastro Pool Bar, created with the idea of revolutionising the snack concept based on healthy recipes, and by the Lobby Bar, which serves a wide selection of drinks.
Linha d’Água (next to the Hotel Barceló Praia Cape Verde on Praínha beach)
This restaurant goes beyond the concept of a mere beach bar, with three settings: terrace, dining room and chill out area. It serves very international cuisine (like its diners) at reasonable prices, with beautiful sea views and one of the best vibes in town.
Kaza Katxupa (5 de Julho)
This restaurant could well feature in the following section on restaurants serving typical Cape Verdean cuisine. In fact, its name refers to the country’s national dish: cachupa (or katxupa). Nevertheless, the menu is a showcase for all kinds of dishes, including international ones, with attractive presentations and high quality products.
Nice Kriola (Achada Santo Antonio Cruz do Papa)
It is worth going there just for the magnificent panoramic views from this restaurant (perched high above the beach). Its cuisine is equally impressive, with a firm commitment to international dishes and for everyone, where local fish and seafood play a major role.
Chef Teresa (Dr. Manuel Duarte, junto a Praínha)
This is an intimate place, with very few tables and a personalised service, like the cuisine itself. The main reason to go there is to try the rice, cod and tuna dishes, and experiment with a wine list that is very unusual in this city (in terms of quality and variety).
Anabel (13 de Janeiro)
This restaurant is highly esteemed, especially thanks to its weekend breakfasts and brunches. It serves international ingredients and preparations, but there are also some touches of local cuisine.
Where to eat typical food in Praia
Quintal da Música (Avenida Amílcar Cabral, 70ª)
This classic restaurant with local culture is still alive and kicking, with a purely Cape Verdean food offering, which is usually accompanied by live music. Hence the name of the restaurant. The menu features meat (such as kid goat meat) and fish, as well as authentic dishes such as octopus rice and whelk with sweet potato.
O Poeta (259ª Achada de Santo Antonio)
The three undisputed stars of this restaurant’s menu are octopus, cod and tuna, cooked in a variety of succulent ways. Naturally, there is no shortage of rice versions, or suggestions for the more carnivorous diners.
Churrasqueira Dragoeiro (Avenida UCLA)
This is an ideal place to try, in a popular and fun atmosphere, some of the most characteristic dishes and flavours of Cape Verde: grilled meats and fish, of course, in a fairly limited menu but with guaranteed quality and authenticity.
Beramar (Cha d’Areia frente al islote de Santa María)
Located in the hotel of the same name, this restaurant specialises in grilled fish. Among the main dishes is the tuna belly and, of course, depending on the season, the fish that arrives in the kitchen every day.
Markets and other eateries
The city’s most famous market is probably Sucupira. Dozens of stalls in the middle of the street sell a large variety of items. They also sell some fresh produce and (less and less) ready-to-eat dishes.
The municipal market in the Plateau district, the most centrally located, has a section selling prepared food that can be eaten on-site at the tables located there or taken away. The food is usually of quality, although it is always advisable to eat food that has undergone a cooking or roasting process and avoid raw ingredients.
The latter also applies to the street food stalls that line the city’s main streets and avenues. They are a good opportunity to get to know and taste the most popular gastronomy of Cape Verde and Santiago Island.
