Restaurante Alto Solarino is a roadside buffet built for tours and travellers passing through. Simple food, fixed pricing and generally friendly service, set in Sal’s arid interior. Works well as a practical stop, not as a culinary destination.
The restaurant you don’t look for, but end up finding
You’re driving across the island — dry landscape, long road, nothing around — and suddenly a discreet sign announces food. Alto Solarino appears like that: a necessary pause, not a destination. And that explains almost everything you’ll find inside.
What this place really is
Restaurante Alto Solarino is a simple buffet, widely used on island tours and organised excursions. It’s not a restaurant people travel to from Santa Maria on purpose, but one with a clear function: feeding a lot of people quickly, at a fixed price.
The venue is modest, a bit worn in places, with tables set close together. There’s no special charm and no intention to impress, but it doesn’t promise more than it delivers.
Where it is (and why it’s there)
It’s literally in the middle of nowhere, in an arid inland area of Sal, near common stops like the salt flats or Shark Bay. Parking is easy and arriving here is usually part of an organised tour. If you come on your own, it’s more out of curiosity than careful planning.
What you eat and how it works
The format is straightforward: all you can eat, usually including drinks and bottled water, for a fixed price. The buffet typically includes grilled chicken, fish, pasta, rice, vegetables, salads, legumes and a local dish such as cachupa.
The food is generally decent, most of the time well cooked, with no frills. Some days are better than others: sometimes the chicken stands out, other times it’s dry; salads do their job without excitement. It’s not memorable, but it fills you up.
Service and staff
The staff are usually friendly and approachable, even when the place is full of tour groups. Reviews range from very positive to more critical, especially during peak volumes.
A plus point: they try to accommodate intolerances or special dietary needs, although vegetarian options are limited.
Cleanliness and atmosphere
Opinions vary quite a bit here. Some highlight cleanliness and decent bathrooms; others mention wear and tear or a kitchen that could be better looked after. The atmosphere is that of a roadside canteen: functional, sometimes noisy, not intimate, but generally familiar.
Alto Solarino isn’t a restaurant you remember — it’s one that lets you continue the journey without being hungry.
Who this place makes sense for
If you see it for what it is — a technical stop in the middle of the island — Alto Solarino does the job. You eat, you rest, you move on. If you’re expecting a gastronomic experience or a place with character, you’ll likely be disappointed. This place works best for those who arrive with modest expectations.
