Typical dishes on Flores Island, Azores (and the best restaurants too!)
The cuisine of Flores Island reflects its fertile lands and coastal proximity, with a focus on fresh seafood, hearty stews, and simple yet flavorful local ingredients.
5 traditional dishes you must try!
1. Sopa de Agrião (Watercress Soup)
A beloved dish on Flores, this soup combines fresh watercress, potatoes, and sometimes local sausage. It’s a hearty and nutritious option, especially during cooler months.
2. Carne de Porco Cozido com Legumes (Boiled Pork with Vegetables)
This dish features boiled pork served alongside seasonal vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, making for a simple yet satisfying meal.
3. Inhames com Linguiça (Yams with Sausages)
Yams are a staple of Flores and are often paired with linguiça, a local sausage, creating a delightful balance of savory and sweet flavors.
4. Feijão com Cabeça de Porco (Beans with Pig’s Head)
This traditional dish includes red beans and tender pork, slow cooked to perfection. It’s a popular comfort food, especially during festivals and family gatherings.
5. Pastéis de Ervas Marinhas (Seaweed Pastries)
Unique to Flores, these small pastries are filled with sea herbs, offering a briny taste that reflects the island’s deep connection to the ocean.
Through our tour packages you can taste and enjoy this firsthand! Check them out!
Fresh seafood on Flores Island
Given its proximity to the Atlantic, Flores Island offers some of the freshest seafood in the Azores. Local fishermen supply the island with a variety of seafood that is often prepared simply to allow the natural flavors to shine.
-
Crabs
Freshly caught crabs are boiled and served with simple sauces, allowing their delicate flavor to stand out.
-
Percebes (Goose Barnacles)
An island delicacy, these barnacles are harvested from rocky shores and are usually steamed, providing a salty, oceanic taste.
-
Lapas (Limpets)
Grilled limpets, often cooked with garlic and wine, are a must-try seafood dish on Flores. Their tender texture and rich flavor make them a local favorite.
Sweets and desserts
Flores Island offers a variety of traditional Azorean sweets, often connected to religious festivals and celebrations.
-
Flores honey
Locally produced honey from the island’s wildflowers is a prized product. It’s smooth, fragrant, and used in desserts or simply spread on bread.
-
Massa sovada (sweet bread)
A fluffy, slightly sweet bread, massa sovada is often enjoyed during special occasions and celebrations.
-
Queijadas (cheese tarts)
These traditional tarts are made with cheese, sugar, and eggs, creating a sweet and creamy dessert that’s popular across the Azores.
Best restaurants on Flores Island, Azores
To fully experience the flavors of Flores Island, here are some of the best local restaurants where you can try traditional dishes:
Restaurante Casa do Rei (Santa Cruz das Flores)
This family-run restaurant offers a variety of traditional dishes, including seafood specialties and hearty stews. The cozy atmosphere makes it a favorite among both locals and visitors.
Restaurante Por do Sol (Lajes das Flores)
Known for its stunning ocean views and fresh seafood, Por do Sol serves some of the best limpets and goose barnacles on the island.
A Tasca do Porto (Fajã Grande)
For a rustic and authentic dining experience, A Tasca do Porto offers local favorites like boiled pork with vegetables and watercress soup. The laid-back ambiance and homemade dishes make it a perfect spot for traditional dining.
There’s plenty to taste, but there’s also plenty of places and activities to do on the island! Explore what to do and see!