Sao Miguel Azores Food Tour

Having family and friends throughout the Azores, I have never needed a food tour in the Azores. I have no recommendations for a guided one, either. However, I have been visiting Sao Miguel since 1994, dozens of times. I came up with what I think would make a good route, and a mix of what I think exemplifies the island of Sao Miguel to a newcomer. It would be more cost effective with a group, but it can be done alone without breaking the bank. Whether you visit all the spots in one day or spread them across your time in Ponta Delgada, surely depends on your potential appetite.

I will assume you will have breakfast at your hotel, which most include in your stay. I have had some wonderful, sumptuous breakfasts in Ponta Delgada that have quite a bit of local specialties. If you do not know what something is, just try it. You might be surprised and blown away.

Here is my newly designed "Carl's Ponta Delgada Food Tour":

1. Mercado da Graca-https://maps.app.goo.gl/M8VhgbwDwwJyjVos6
2. O Rei dos Queijos-https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jhm7cYXKVycMLfVV6
3. Mercearia Sao Pedro Wine & Tapas-https://maps.app.goo.gl/qHnmopiKpAWEMJ2NA
4. Acores Grill-https://maps.app.goo.gl/7VNxmgmHELPj72Cy8
5. Cafe Royal-https://maps.app.goo.gl/1QsWJXyHj6PvwjkW6
6. Louvre Michaelense Bar Bistro Mercearia-https://maps.app.goo.gl/ytjpoTii72X1UGyYA
7. Hot Dog Fast Food- https://maps.app.goo.gl/8NrSn43RFJDaMVVB6
8. Continente Modelo in Parque Atlantico-https://maps.app.goo.gl/EQNsDN61MTytX4TJ8

Here is a brief description of each:

1. Cheese heaven, many free samples, lots of other local specialties, including adult beverages and jams, one stop shop for creating our own charcuterie board, busy most of the time
2. Large, indoor/outdoor local market with numerous fruits and vegetables, busiest in the early morning hours, seasonal products, vast amount of sweet and juicy Sao Miguel pineapples
3. Portugal is not known for tapas, so this is the closest I have found in the Azores, good variety of Sao Miguel tasty treats, most customers will be locals, not expensive, probably will not be busy when you visit
4. Grill your own locally raised meats, great atmosphere, limited menu (not a big deal, since you are here for the fun of grilling your food), inexpensive menu
5. My go-to hangout for a bifana sandwich at any time of the day or night, locals fill the busy bar/restaurant, extensive and inexpensive menu, outdoor seating
6. THE PLACE for an evening cocktail and/or dessert, has good menu for meals throughout the day, gorgeous interior, not cheap but worth the visit for the quality, limited outdoor seating for people watching in the center of Ponta Delgada
7. There are a few hot dog carts in the general area, this one normally has the longest line, I recommend the Cacharro with everything (including the piri-piri hot sauce), goes down well with a Kima soft drink as you sit on the wall or bench overlooking the harbor and main road late at night, messy-so take a bunch of napkins
8. Largest supermarket on the island, has EVERYTHING for sale that you could imagine, fun to browse the entire supermarket, located in the Parque Atlantico Mall, easy to choose your own charcuterie options and drinks, countless local specialties available including cheese, jams, baked goods, wines and beers, fruits, etc., not far to reach from the center of Ponta Delgada by walking and has free multi-story parking garage

At the top of this Portugal forum is a post written by the webmaster regarding Azores Islands Travel Advice. It references the free sample of my Azores guidebook. Page 30-Restaurants, Foods, and Drinks, is in the selection of free content. Just about everything you want to know is there for your foodie cravings.

Let me know if you need anything else for your trip to paradise!