3 Best Restaurants in Pico, The Azores

Come to what’s widely regarded as the finest fish and seafood restaurant in town for hearty portions of expertly prepared local delicacies such as cataplana à ancoradouro (seafood stew); skewers of grilled fish and shrimp; and seafood rice with crab claws, shrimp, mussels, and clams. Though the decor inside is simple, the large terrace with wonderful water views is the place to be.

An ultra-modern design with concrete walls and floors and wood accents, along with a lovely outdoor terrace, showcases floor-to-ceiling views of Pico, the ocean, and São Jorge island in the distance. Simple but well-prepared dishes highlight local specialties like octopus, fish, and steak; if you can, save room for the decadent Magma chocolate brownie.

This trendy bar and restaurant on the water’s edge is worth visiting just to see its unique wood structure, roughly resembling a whale, as well as the prime views of Faial Island; ask for a seat upstairs on the terrace, especially if you’re here before sunset. Start with a selection of local cheeses to pair with a bottle from the large collection of Azorean and Portuguese wines before sampling a main course “from the sea” or “from the land.”