Confession: I’m one of those travelers who cares more about what to eat than what to see. Before heading to the Azores, I researched local dishes but found very few guides on where to try them. So, we ate our way through the islands and learned by doing.
Here’s my Azores food guide — the must-try dishes, drinks, and desserts, plus tips on where to find them.
Azorean Cheeses
The islands are famous for their cheeses. In fact, nearly half of Portugal’s cheese production comes from the Azores.
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Queijo de São Jorge (São Jorge cheese) is the star — aged, sharp, and parmesan-level good.
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Every island has its own varieties, and tastings at local dairies are possible.
Where to try:
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São Miguel: O Rei dos Queijos (Ponta Delgada)
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Faial: Morro
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Terceira: Vaquinha
Tea & Coffee
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Tea: São Miguel is home to Europe’s only tea plantations: Cha Gorreana and Porto Formoso. Gorreana is the most visited, but Porto Formoso offers a calmer experience and guided tours.
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Coffee: Rare but special. At Café Nunes in Fajã dos Vimes (São Jorge), you can drink locally grown Azorean coffee — one of the only places in Europe.
Pastries & Breads
The islands are full of unique sweets and baked goods:
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Bolos Levedos (sweet flatbread, like a fluffy English muffin)
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Bolos Dona Amélia (Terceira’s spiced cake)
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Queijadas de Graciosa (sweet cheese tarts, with local twists on every island)
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Malasadas (deep-fried dough filled with fruit, chocolate, or caramel)
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Pastéis de Nata (the classic Portuguese custard tart, also big here)
Where to try:
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São Miguel: Queijadas da Vila do Morgado
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Pico: Aromas & Sabores
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Terceira: O Forno, Feteirense Bakery
Cozido das Furnas
On São Miguel, the volcanic town of Furnas cooks stew underground. Pots of meat, sausages, and vegetables are buried in geothermal soil in the morning and dug out at night.
It’s heavy, rustic, and not for everyone — but worth trying at least once.
Where to try: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel Restaurant (Furnas)
Tropical Fruits
Azorean pineapples are legendary — small, sweet, and grown in greenhouses. You’ll also find bananas and passion fruit everywhere.
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Try pineapple fresh, in liqueur, or as jam.
Where to try: A. Arruda Pineapple Plantation (São Miguel) or Ponta Delgada’s Mercado da Graça.
Seafood
You’re in the Atlantic, so seafood is king:
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Lapas (limpets): grilled with garlic butter and chili — a must-try.
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Cracas (barnacles): unusual, ocean-flavored, served cold.
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Cavacos (lobster-like shellfish): smaller than lobster, but tender and delicious.
Where to try:
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São Miguel: A Tasca, Mane Cigano (sardines only)
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Pico: Maré Viva, Ancoradouro
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Terceira: Beira Mar
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Graciosa: Quinta das Grotas
Alcatra (Terceira’s Clay Pot Stew)
A beef stew slow-cooked for hours in clay pots. The longer the pot has been used, the richer the flavor. Tender, melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Where to try: Ti’ Choa or O Chico (Terceira)
Azorean Wine
Pico Island is a UNESCO World Heritage wine region. Abandoned vineyards have been revived, producing crisp white wines with volcanic minerality. Wine is served at nearly every meal, and it’s excellent.
Polvo Guisado (Octopus Stew)
Octopus simmered in red wine with potatoes, garlic, and onions. Comforting, flavorful, and one of the Azores’ signature traditional dishes.
Where to try: Especially good on Pico and Terceira.
Soups
Like in Portugal, Azorean soups are humble but delicious, often made from leftovers. Examples include:
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Sopa do Espírito Santo (Holy Spirit soup, seasonal)
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Fish soups
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Caldo de Nabos (turnip soup)
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Caldo Azedo (sour soup, often served cold)
Drinks
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Kima: a passion fruit soda, unique to the Azores
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Licorice Wine
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Vinho de Cheiro: a low-alcohol aromatic wine
Wanderlab Insight: The Azores are more than landscapes — they’re flavors. From underground stews to grilled limpets, volcanic wines, and world-class cheeses, eating here is just as memorable as hiking or whale watching.
