2025-03-20
Here are six restaurants in São Jorge, in the Azores, that I’ve tried and recommend!
And what kind of gastronomy can you expect to find in São Jorge? Well, I can only share my experience of having lunch and dinner in family restaurants and it was, without exception, memorable!
So, expect typical restaurants, such as some Azorean taverns, where traditional cuisine is king.
Some of these restaurants are in the center of the villages, which are ideal for dinners at the end of the day when you want to park the car and not drive back.
Others have sea views, some have terraces, but all, without exception, use mostly local produce and are excellent examples of Azorean gastronomy.
So take note of these suggestions and enjoy an even tastier trip to São Jorge!
6 Restaurants in São Jorge, Azores, that you must try
São Jorge Restaurant
Restaurant São Jorge is located in the pedestrian area of Velas, on the island of São Jorge, Azores.
It is a traditional restaurant with a modern and very pleasant atmosphere.
The menu is varied, with well-prepared dishes and local ingredients.
I had the opportunity to try the grilled limpets, the octopus à lagareiro, the codfish with bread and two types of grilled meat. All delicious! To finish off, I also tried a spoonful of chocolate mousse and a dessert from the house.
For reservations or more information, I recommend that you contact the restaurant on (+351) 295 412 861 or by e-mail at restaurantesaojorge861@gmail.com.
Location: R. Maestro Francisco de Lacerda, 9800-551 Velas.
O Amílcar
When you’re near Fajã do Ouvidor, I suggest you check out the restaurant O Amílcar.
From what I’ve been told, this restaurant specializes in fresh seafood, especially the local limpets and clams.
In any case, I had the opportunity to feast on some generous cubes of tuna from the Azores, dipped in a rich tomato sauce.
To accompany them, the simplicity of boiled potatoes and a fresh salad. Simple and delicious, in other words, you can’t go wrong.
There was also a tray of grilled meat on the self-service counter, which looked delicious. And to crown this feast, my sweet tooth was appeased with a colorful dessert.
And if you still need reasons to include Amilcar in your list of restaurants to visit in São Jorge, here’s one more: it has an unbeatable location, with a panoramic view over the northern slope of the island and the Atlantic Ocean.
I’m sure you’ll want to try this restaurant in the Azores, so here are the contact details: (+351) 295 417 448, (+351) 912 259 501 or (+351) 919 290 221.
Location: Faja Ouvidor Norte Grande, Fajã Do Ouvidor, Ilha De São Jorge.
O Caseiro
Restaurant “O Caseiro” is located at Rua Joaquim Homem da Silveira Noronha 165, in Vila do Topo, São Jorge Island, Azores.
It’s a family-run restaurant with a rustic atmosphere and delicious food. Everything I tried, without exception, was delicious.
Starting with the soup, which tasted like life after I caught a few raindrops taking pictures of the Topo Islet.
Then, from the buffet, I still wanted to try the traditional limpets, which were succulent, as well as rich slivers of tuna, which rested on a bed of sliced potatoes. To catch the juices, I put a spoonful of rice and boiled sweet potatoes on my plate.
I hate to admit it, but the food was so good that I couldn’t resist a little mountain goat, cooked slowly in a wood-fired oven.
Meanwhile, the conversation was lively, which helped digestion, so I couldn’t refuse some rice pudding, a kind of local cookie and a shot of mint liqueur.
If you like what I’ve shown, here are the contacts for reservations: (+351) 295 415 101, (+351) 965 157 049 or (+351) 964 740 504.
Location: Rua Joaquim Homem da Silveira Noronha 165, Topo.
Os Amigos
When you’re passing through Calheta, don’t miss the opportunity to take a look at “Os Amigos” restaurant.
This place has been running for over 30 years, so it’s fair to say that they know what they’re doing.
So what can you expect to find in this traditional restaurant? Lots of good Azorean food.
As we were a large group, I had the opportunity to try different local delicacies.
So, as well as São Jorge cheese, there was also tuna steak, grilled limpets, fried fish and other traditional dishes.
Location: Ponta Sao Lourenço, 9850-038 Calheta.
A Quinta
The restaurant “A Quinta” is located in Fajã de Santo Amaro, in Velas, a couple of minutes from São Jorge Island Airport, Azores.
This restaurant stands out for its traditional and delicious food, of course, but also for being housed in a restored stone house.
In fact, the dining room is beautiful and features the traditional basalt stones of the Azores.
As for the food, I chose the tuna with French fries and salad, which was delicious. And for dessert, although my choice was the passion fruit chesecake, which was very good, I have to say that the king of the party was the honey pudding.
It never occurred to me that honey pudding could be so good! So, when you pass by this restaurant, I recommend you order this dessert!
And if you want to call ahead, here are the contact details: (+351) 918 846 362.
Location: nº93, Faja de Santo Amaro, 9800-337 Velas.
Açor Restaurant
The last restaurant suggestion in São Jorge is Restaurante Açor, in the town of Velas.
This restaurant has a large terrace overlooking the Mother Church of Velas, which is an advantage on summer days.
Inside, the dining room is spacious and, on the day I dined at this restaurant, the service was buffet.
So, as well as a fairly generous starters section, with snacks and salads, there were also some meat and seafood options.
I chose a shrimp dish which I liked a lot, but I have to say that I was positively surprised by the variety of homemade desserts.
So, to choose a dessert, the best way was to take a look at the dessert counter, which was very full.
In addition, my sweet tooth led me to choose the Filhoses de Forno and try the traditional São Jorge cheese pudding.
Finally, if you want to book a table, the telephone number is (+351) 295 432 463.
Location: Largo da Matriz – Velas Ilha de São Jorge, 9800-551 Velas.
*I traveled to São Jorge at the invitation of Casas Açorianas – Associação de Turismo em Espaço Rural, sponsored by Grupo SATA.
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