2 Best Restaurants in São Miguel, The Azores

It’s more than worth a trip 20 km (12 miles) east of Ponta Delgada to dine at this popular open-air seafood restaurant with lovely water views; since the place doesn’t take reservations, bring your swimsuit for a dip in the adjacent pool while you wait. The friendly staff will grill up your choice of the fresh local fish on display---perhaps tuna, stingray, or barracuda---but you can’t go wrong with baked mussels in a buttery garlic sauce or just-caught limpet, plus (a rarity for the islands) a well-stocked salad bar.

The original chef from Louvre Michaelense, Hugo Ferreira, helms this charming eatery focusing on modern versions of petiscos, Portuguese tapas. Ingredients from the islands steal the show in both the veggie dishes, showcasing seasonal produce and greens, and the tasty grilled or smoked seafood plates, ranging from octopus to arroz de peixe, rice flavored with the freshest fish.