Santa Maria’s rich cuisine: suspiros, aguardente, caçoila and more!
Santa Maria Island offers gastronomy that includes savory stews, fresh seafood, and indulgent sweets. The traditional dishes reflect the island’s agrarian and maritime culture, offering visitors a true taste of Azores cuisine.
Iconic dishes of Santa Maria Island
Sopas do Império or Espírito Santo
Prepared in an iron pot and served with chopped wheat bread with mint and dill on top. This is then soaked in the broth in which the meat and cabbage were cooked. The soup is accompanied by the meat, served on a separate plate, and with vinho de cheiro (a typical wine).
Bolo na panela
This dish is prepared in an iron pot and involves several stages of preparation:
1.Cook the pork, sausage and bacon
2. Use part of the cooking water to scald the cornmeal for the cake mould and the remaining water to cook the coarsely chopped cabbage and potatoes
3. Mould the cakes into a round, flat shape, placed alternately between a layer of cabbage and potatoes, and a layer of cakes
4. Add the meats back together to heat the entire dish
Caldo de nabos da terra
Made with “nabos da terra”, the name given to the Santa Maria’s turnip, which has distinct characteristics from the rest. It is preferably prepared in an iron pot, together with pork, chorizo, bacon and sweet potato. It is served with homemade bread cut into slices and soaked in the broth, together with all the condiments that accompanied the turnips during their cooking.
Caçoila or molho de fígado
This dish has pork loin, cheek, bacon, spareribs and liver. These meats, except for the liver, which is cooked separately, are washed, cut up, seasoned and mixed with wine to “take on the flavor” (marinate) overnight. The “caçoila” is melted in the pan and when the meat is golden brown, the liver is mixed in. This mixture is placed in “Lagoa” earthenware bowls and covered with the melted lard.
Alheira
Made by filling pig intestines with cooked and finely chopped offal from the pig’s head and skin. The cooking water is used to soak homemade bread, which is then sliced and squeezed before being added to the meat, chopped skin and seasoning. Once stuffed, the intestines are separated into tubes using string and hung on sticks with several branches to be cooked in the smoke from the wood.
For those who enjoy fresh fish, Santa Maria’s waters offer a bounty of slipper lobster, spiny lobster, limpets and barnacles. These fish are often prepared in local restaurants, giving visitors a taste of the island’s marine richness.
Traditional sweets and baked goods
Santa Maria sweet treats are, normally, served at local festivities and family gatherings.
- Suspiros – Light and airy, these sweet bites are popular desserts on the island.
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- Melindres – Made with honey and spices, these cakes offer a taste of traditional Azorean baking.
- Biscoitos Encanelados – these biscuits are characterized by the sugar syrup in which they are bathed in large quantities after being cooked, reminiscent of “cavacas”. Their ingredients are simple and are based on wheat flour, sugar, salt, water and lard.
- Cavacas – it resembles a ball, crunchy and hollow, which is covered in a sugar syrup. The basic ingredients are eggs, olive oil, flour and sugar, and the whole preparation is baked in small molds, greased with lard.
- Biscoitos de Aguardente – also known as a “biscoito estrelado” because it is all rounded up after being cooked. This biscuit’s ingredients include local brandy or alcohol, flour, sugar, butter and eggs.
- Biscoitos de Orelha – triangular biscuit, whose ends are cut with scissors, creating the “ears”. They are made with flour, eggs, lard, sugar, cow’s butter and homemade yeast. Nowadays, they are still made “by hand”.
- Júlias – shaped like a little ball, this is biscuit with an interesting appearance due to the layered topping that contains egg yolk sugar and cinnamon.
- Papas de Cachão – traditionally made in an iron pot, it has corn coarsely ground in a hand mill and sifted through a coarse sieve, and milk, seasoned with salt. The “cachão” is cooked in water and the milk is slowly added when the preparation is boiling. This sweet can be served with sugar or cream.
Santa Maria wines and local spirits
Santa Maria Island is also known for its wines, especially those from the São Lourenço foothills, which boast distinctive flavors and deep heritage.
Notable wines and spirits include:
- Vinho Abafadinho – A fortified wine with a unique, full-bodied taste.
- Vinho Abafado – Another fortified wine, often enjoyed as a dessert drink.
- Licor de Amora – A sweet blackberry liquor capturing the taste of local berries.
- Licor de Leite – A milk-based liquor, showcasing the island’s inventive approach to traditional drinks.
- Aguardente – Portuguese brandy distilled locally, providing a warming finish to meals.
Best restaurants in Santa Maria, Azores
1. Ponta do Garajau
Located in Vila do Porto, it offers fresh seafood dishes and traditional Azorean cuisine, with a menu that highlights local fish and Santa Maria specialties.
2. Central Pub
A cozy and casual spot in the heart of Vila do Porto, it serves hearty local dishes, including caldeirada and caçoila, as well as delicious pastries and desserts.
3. Ilha do Sol
Known for its scenic views and relaxed atmosphere, it serves a variety of local favorites, from fish stew to meat dishes, all prepared with authentic Azorean flavors.
4. Casa dos Poços
Situated near the picturesque bay of São Lourenço, this restaurant is famous for its traditional food, including sopa de peixe, fresh seafood, and local wines.
5. Clube Naval de Santa Maria
For a meal with a view, this restaurant offers a menu rich in seafood dishes, along with a variety of Azorean specialties. Located in Vila do Porto, it’s a top choice for both locals and visitors.
There’s plenty to taste, but there’s also plenty of places and activities to do on the island! Check out our Azores tour packages for a perfect trip!