Vitoria Restaurant is a local spot in Santa Maria serving tasty Cape Verdean food, generous portions and fair prices away from the tourist strip. Great for no-frills lunches; expect uneven service and a slow pace if you’re short on time.

The Coconut Room is a Caribbean spot in Santa Maria with standout jerk dishes, live music and a relaxed vibe. Ideal for bold flavours and solid vegetarian options. Skip inconsistent cocktails, double-check any surcharges, and focus on the food that wins people over.

The Bounty Beach Restaurant delivers a stunning beachfront setting and good fish dishes when the kitchen is on form. Slow service and hotel-level prices increase the risk if things go wrong. Best for relaxed dinners, not rushed meals.

Soul Kitchen Beach Club is a beachfront restaurant in Santa Maria with Italian influence, excellent tuna dishes and rare vegetarian options. Calm atmosphere, live music and refined plates—though service can be slow and card payments carry a small surcharge.

Santa Grelha / Holly Grill is a small grill spot in Santa Maria serving well-cooked piri-piri chicken, meats and fish. It often fills up and the pace can be slow. Menu on a wall board, slightly pricey wine. Book ahead and don’t rush

Sal Beach Club, also known as Vista Mar, is a beachfront bar in Santa Maria best suited for drinks with a view. Food quality is inconsistent and service disorganised. Fine for a relaxed drink, risky if you plan to eat properly.

Sabores da Goreth is a local spot in Santa Maria serving homemade Cape Verdean food with a daily set menu. Three choices, generous portions and very low prices. Busy with locals and always lively: you eat what’s available, and it’s usually very good.

Restaurante Sol Doce is a lunch-only spot by Santa Maria’s pier, focused on ultra-fresh fish of the day. Outstanding tuna tataki and grilled catches, fair prices and warm service. Simple, authentic and always busy: here the product leads, not the décor.

Restaurant Sara is a calm, family-run spot in Espargos serving simple home-style food, fresh fish and fair prices. Very friendly service, a homely vibe and a no-rush pace. Ideal for an honest meal… and sharing space with a curious cat.

Restaurant O’Grill in Espargos is a common tour stop with inflated prices and food well below local standards. Most reviews describe scams, poor quality and bad value. If a guide pushes it, walk away—Sal has far better places to eat for less.

Restaurant Cassumai is a local eatery in Santa Maria serving Cabo Verdean and West African food, with huge portions and local prices (400–600 CVE). Legendary €1 skewers, simple atmosphere and friendly service. Perfect for eating like locals and avoiding tourist traps.

Restaurante Barracuda is a seafront fish restaurant in Santa Maria, known for seafood rice dishes and fresh fish. When product and service align, it’s excellent. The issue is inconsistency: book ahead, ask what’s available, and come with time — not urgency.