Bar di Nôs Augusto is a local favourite outside Santa Maria’s tourist core, serving generous portions of fish of the day at honest prices. Authentic atmosphere and friendly service, with frequent waits. Best enjoyed without hurry and with grounded expectations.
When a place isn’t trying to impress you, just feed you
Bar di Nôs Augusto doesn’t try to lure you in from the street. No Instagram-ready terrace, no menu designed for overthinking. What you’ll find are locals coming and going, tables filling at odd hours, and the clear sense that people come here to eat, not to pose. That has strengths. And consequences.
WHAT BAR DI NÔS AUGUSTO REALLY IS
This is a proper local restaurant, slightly removed from Santa Maria’s tourist noise. It serves classic Cape Verdean dishes: fish of the day, chicken, octopus, tuna, pork… generous portions, simple sides, and prices that don’t feel designed for passing visitors.
Taxi drivers, families, neighbours and informed travellers all eat here. When it’s full — which is often — the atmosphere is loud, lively and genuinely authentic.
Outside the comfort circuit
It’s far enough from the tourist centre that you won’t stumble upon it by accident. You have to come on purpose. That alone filters the crowd and explains why many describe it as a real find.
Access is easy, parking is available, and it doesn’t feel like a tourist trap. In Santa Maria, that already says a lot.
Often spot-on… sometimes a gamble
Most reviews agree on one thing: the fish of the day is usually a safe bet. Well cooked, generous, served with rice and fries, no unnecessary tricks. On good days, it’s very good.
That said, consistency isn’t guaranteed. Some mention overcooked fish, tuna tartare served cold and unseasoned, poorly executed prawns or disappointing lobster. Not the majority, but enough to show that not every day is the same.
This is home-style cooking: some days it shines, other days it simply does the job.
Friendly, but never rushed
Staff are generally described as warm and approachable, with straightforward, no-frills service. However, waiting is part of the deal. Some tables are served quickly, others wait far longer — even when the room isn’t full.
Several comments mention long waits or kitchen disorganisation. It doesn’t read as bad attitude, more a mix of local rhythm and occasional overload.
Local, loud and real
If you’re looking for calm, this may not be your place. When it fills up, noise rises, conversations overlap, and the vibe becomes that of a neighbourhood bar. For many, that’s exactly the appeal.
Don’t expect perfect tablecloths or polished dining. Expect authenticity.
How to leave happy
– Come with time and no rush.
– Stick to the fish of the day rather than “special” dishes.
– At peak hours, accept the wait as part of the experience.
– For lobster, ask clearly beforehand and adjust expectations.
– Great for those who want local food, not Swiss precision.
BEST TIME TO GO
It works best early in the evening or outside peak times. When the place is packed, the experience depends heavily on the day — and the kitchen’s mood.
An honest place with character
Bar di Nôs Augusto isn’t perfect, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s a local, characterful restaurant where you’ll often eat very well and occasionally just fine. If you understand the context and skip Michelin expectations, it’s usually worth it.
This isn’t a place to rush. It’s a place to accept how things are done here.
