In Terceira, it’s common to have to stop your car for a herd of cows on the road.
With cows walking on the road and every major city being on the ocean, you know your meat is locally grown, and the seafood is freshly caught, am I right?
Fresh food in a pristine, lush environment with laid-back style of living. Here you won’t see people walking on their phones.
Terceira really is a secret gem (and let’s make sure it stays at least a LITTLE secret, shall we?).
It’s also where both of my parents were born and raised, so I have been blessed to visit times throughout my lifetime. So, I am more than a little biased.
This guide will introduce you to some of the best restaurants on the island, as well as the popular traditional foods that the locals eat.
While on the island, take one or two tours to get to know this gorgeous island’s history, culture, and customs. I’d highly recommend taking an extended food tour – take a day to explore the island’s delicious foods with a local.
Let’s dive right into that tasty food!
Per person prices are in euros and are estimates only (based on averages of each meal). Meal without wine or alcohol.
Ti Choa Restaurant
Grota do Margaride 1 Serreta, 9700-661 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal | 13€/person
Ti Choa, located in Serreta, serves up big portions of home-cooked Terceiran food. It’s the perfect destination to stop on a day you’re going to Mata de Serreta.
It’s charming cozy, rustic decor will make you feel like you’re in your Portuguese grandma’s kitchen.
And, it’s the best place to try the island’s most-famous dish Alcatra, served with sweet potatoes and fresh local Massa Sovada bread.
Try the doce de vinagre, a vinegar-based dessert.
Alcatra: a beef rump that is slow-cooked in a clay pot with red wine, onions, garlic, cloves and black peppercorns until it’s practically falling-apart tender. make sure to savor it with a side of massa sovada, a tasty traditional Portuguese sweet bread.
Beira Mar São Mateus Restaurant
Canada do Porto 46, São Mateus da Calheta, Portugal | 16€/person
Beira Mar (by the sea) is a popular seafood restaurant (you guessed it) – right on the water. It’s often crowded and can have a wait.
Try the boca negra fish soup that comes with a side plate of veggies, and also the grilled Polvo (octopus) that comes with a sweet potato and a salad.
Restaurante Caneta
Rua As Presas – 13 – Altares, 9700-308 Angra Do Heroismo, Portugal | 20€/person
If you’re looking to try some traditional meat dishes, Caneta is the one to try. It’s a favorite among locals.
Restaurante Boca Negra
Largo Sto António 1, 9700-368 Porto Judeu, Portugal | (16€/person)
A traditional, authentic seafood restaurant in Porto Judeu with a very friendly and welcoming owner (hi Jose!).
Try the famous and delicious alcatra de piexe (fish stew) and the various seafood offered on the menu (including the scrumptious local limpets).
Lapas (limpets) are technically a type of sea-snail, and they are widely eaten by seafood-loving locals. Like the entire side of my dad’s family, who devour them like an American devours McDonalds.
Quinta dos Açores Restaurant & Ice Cream Shop
Espaço Quinta dos Açores, Pico Redondo, 149, São Bento, 9700-211 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal | 9€/person)
A casual restaurant with a great concept. They grow and butcher their meat, get the dairy and the cheeses from their own cows, cook them, and serve them up on your plate. From beginning to finish.
They have a play area for kids and a souvenir shop. There you can purchase some of their delicious cheese to take home
They are committed to producing high-quality ingredients and truly being farm-to-fork.
Tip: Salads aren’t very easy to find on this island (unless your definition of salad = lettuce SO if you’re looking for a huge robust salad, try this place out. They have a variety of fresh salads and veggies to satisfy your need for some greens.
Definitely leave room for some of their delicious traditional homemade ice creams.
Taberna Roberto
A warm and welcoming restaurant where meals are cooked in a wood-fired oven.
O Pescador Restaurant
O Pescador Restaurant is one of Azores’ oldest restaurants. Don’t let the word “oldest” fool ya. The inside is decorated with modern decor, and views are stunning.
They serve up fresh seafood dishes like grilled octopus and swordfish, shrimp skewers, and fish casserole.
Verde Maçã Restaurant
Stop at Verde Maçã for breakfast or brunch. It’s a casual breakfast place in a modern environment
Tarte d’Avó is a family recipe of a delicious apple pie
R3 Restaurant
Located in a unique setting. R3 offers its 3 in 1 restaurant concepts (R3). One offers pasta, salads and soups; another one is centered on shellfish and beer and the third one on gourmet food and wine.
Captain’s Table d´Angra
R. da Rocha 14, 9700-144 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
A Mediterranean Restaurant (fusion of Turkish, Greek and Italian cuisines)
pssttt… vegetarian and vegan (especially vegan!) meals can be difficult to find on Terceira. Not here.
Tasca das Tias
Enjoy tapas-style eating in this restaurant with warm modern decor and upbeat music. It’s small and gets quite crowded.
QB Restaurant
QB is located inside a beautiful old estate with a garden, an esplanade, and even a playground for kids.
It’s also where my then-4-year-old slammed her finger in a door and screamed to the point that people were looking and wondering if they should intervene.
The ground floor is a modern food-court type of restaurant and is perfect for a light lunch (pizza, salads, and soups).
The first-floor restaurant is more formal and has a nicely mixed menu of Azorean classics and more European-style cuisine.
O Forno Pastry
Rua de São João 67/69 9700-182 Angra do Heroísmo, Te Sé Angra do Heroísmo (3€/person)
If you want to enjoy a little cafezingo with a pasty, visit O Forno, grab your goodies, and sit outside at one of their tables. Then, take in the view on Rua de S. João, a cobblestoned street in the heart of Angra.
O Forno is arguably the best place to try Terceira’s top dessert, a Queijada da Dona Amélia. This hallmark dessert earned its name as a tribute to Queen Amélia, who famously offered the sweets on her first royal visit to the island in 1901.
A bifana is a traditional sandwich made with thin pork slices on a papo seco (bread roll). The bifana is a traditional street food and perfect with a beer at one of the many local bars.