Casa Cafe Mindelo (Sao Vicente)

Cafes

Most Cape Verdean cafes double as restaurants or bars, so you can often eat, drink, and have dessert at the same place. Pastries are particular highlights here, many following the Portuguese traditions, as are the jams ('doce') made from local exotic fruits, often served with goat cheese for dessert. There is a steadily increasing selection of cafes to be found in the major towns and near popular beach areas. Below are the best cafes in Cape Verde:

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Casa Cafe Mindelo (Sao Vicente)

Casa Cafe Mindelo is a small guesthouse, restaurant, cafe and bar, located in a beautifully restored colonial building from 1870 in the heart of Mindelo, overlooking the Porto Grande bay. Come at any time of day for great home-cooked meals, hot coffee or a refreshing drink in the …

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Cape Fruit (Sal)

Cape Fruit is a small but absolutely charming cafe and smoothie bar that focuses on healthy living and healthy eating. It is one of the few places that cater to vegetarians and vegans, offering fantastic meat-free options for breakfast and lunch, as well as delicious fruit smoothies and …

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Giramondo Ice Cream Cafe (Sal)

You won't find Giramondo listed anywhere, because it is one of Santa Maria's best kept secrets. Decadent waffles, crepes and cakes fill the displays, as do their homemade, Italian-style ice cream flavours. With just a tiny outdoor seating area, it is easy to miss, but definitely worth …

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Odjo d’Àgua (Sal)

The Odjo d’Àgua Hotel has four dining options at its superb location at the end of Santa Maria beach. Farolin specialises in fresh fish and national dishes, such as cachupa, Esplanada Palha Verde offers pre-meal aperitifs, Esplanada Porton di nos Ilha is more of a lounge area for after dinner drinks, and Sambinha serves …

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Cafe Criolo (Sal)

Cafe Criolo doesn't look like much more than a shack when you first catch glimpse of it, but it happens to be one of the best local restaurants on Sal. Servings are huge, prices are very reasonable, the atmosphere is vibrant and the traditional Cape Verdean dishes are of the finest quality. They also …

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Pão Quente (Santiago)

Originally a family business, Pao Quente has grown quickly to become one of the most loved bakeries in the country, with several locations. They offer varied pastries and typical sweets, like Portuguese cream pastries and rice cakes, as well as birthday cakes and hot …

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Creparia Sol Doce (Sal)

Creparia Sol Doce never fails to surprise its customers. No one expects much from the food, being just a small establishment by the beach with very reasonable prices, but the quality of the dishes is superb. Home cooking and fresh fish are the speciality of the house, as are, of course, enormous homemade crepes …

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Pastelaria Morabeza (Sao Vicente)

Ask any local what the best pastry shop is in Mindelo and you'll inevitably get the same answer: Pastelaria Morabeza. Great coffee, fresh fruit juice, snacks, sandwiches and free WiFi all make it a wildly popular place, but the biggest draw are the huge selection of fresh pastries, including 'pastel de natas', a Portuguese …

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Gelataria Ártica (Santiago)

Escape the oppressive midday heat with a refreshing scoop from the city's oldest ice cream shop. All the usual flavours are complemented by local varieties like mango, papaya and camoca, all homemade. If you're hungry for something more substantial, they also serve light home-cooked …

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Ocean Cafe (Sal)

A very popular cafe and bar located right in front of the main square at Santa Maria, Ocean Cafe is a lively place for an afternoon coffee or a drink after dark. Locals crowd the place in search of local beers and international cuisine, as well as for the regular live music, dancing and …

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Nhamii Ice Dreams (Santiago)

Nhamii Ice Dreams is a small but sleek gelateria, renowned throughout the islands for its high-quality ice cream, fresh natural fruit juices, crepes and other desserts, as well as sandwiches and assorted light …

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