Art Kafé, Santa Maria — Restaurant in Sal

Santa Maria, Cape Verde, is home to many charming eateries, and Art Kafe is one that stands out with its warm hospitality, local charm, and artistic atmosphere. Though not every dish impresses, the experience as a whole makes it a worthwhile stop.

The mojito is a highlight, crafted with care and perfectly balanced in sweetness and acidity. It’s refreshing, smooth, and one of the best on the island.

The mixed tapas, however, are underwhelming. A small selection of croquettes, mini frikadellen, chicken, and potato bites lacks excitement and feels more like a filler than a thoughtfully curated dish. Opting for a different starter might be a better choice.

The grilled chicken is inconsistent, with some bites offering a flavorful seasoning while others feel dry. The seasoning isn't evenly distributed, making for an uneven experience.

The katxupa chorizo, on the other hand, is an interesting dish to try. The smokiness of the chorizo pairs well with the hearty katxupa, creating a flavorful contrast. While not exceptional, it’s a solid option for those wanting to taste a local specialty.

The real star of the menu is the apple banana crumble. The combination of warm cinnamon, honey, and creamy ice cream elevates the dish to something truly memorable. It’s perfectly balanced between sweetness and fruitiness, making it an absolute must-try.

Service is friendly but at times a bit chaotic. The staff may seem overwhelmed, but their warmth and hospitality make up for any minor disorganization.

Where Art Kafe truly shines is in value for money. The portions are generous, and for the price, you get an incredible amount of food.

The atmosphere is another strong point. The café is small but inviting, with an artistic and cozy ambiance that makes you feel welcome from the moment you arrive.

While some dishes fall short, there is clear potential here. With the right balance and consistency, Art Kafe has the ability to create something truly remarkable. The strong elements of the menu make me curious to explore more dishes, as there’s a sense that this place is capable of delivering something...

For once, I am going to write an unpopular opinion compared the other reviews, but I am sure I am not the only one.

We have been here twice, as the first time it did not go really well. The restaurant was full, so we waited about 2 hours for our food and, while the sides were lovely, the fish was not good at all and we left most of it there as we were afraid of food poisoning.

As the reviews were all positive, we decided to give it another try, the restaurant this time was not busy at all, but our experience was even worst! 2 hours again to get some food, no apologies again, and again the octopus we ordered was not well cooked. ( as it was definitely over cooked and I was starving I ate it this time, but it was super hard and no taste left).

There is only one person cooking, and 4 dedicated to the service, but the poor chef had also to serve the dishes as when he rang the bell none was going to pick up the ready meals, which of course delayed the cooking phases. The first night the waitress made our beer fall on the table, no new beer and no change of napkins or whatsoever. The second night our water smelled funny, again no action.

The atmosphere is amazing, but it is the only positive point. There are several restaurants in Sal where you can have a better night, with better food, in shorter time ( still with no stress, but not to a level in which you actually get stressed)

Good luck

In reply to the owner's reply: I do not know how many people work in the kitchen, I have seen one, struggling as the workers at the service were not supporting. I did not mention any other restaurants name, I just stated my opinion: the reviews do not match with my experience. Also your reply identifies...

It’s a lovely restaurant but sadly the customer service on our Christmas Eve visit was bad. This shouldn’t put anyone off enjoying their visit but just to relate our experience. Our problem was with a particular member of staff, call her ‘A’. It being Xmas, the only menu was a 4 course dinner, with choices from three courses. What was the fourth, we asked? Drinks, said A. Alright, we ordered drinks. We came with a baby and asked if they had a high chair. Yes, said A, it’s inside. After a long wait, with baby squirming and pulling at the table settings, we asked again. Still, no high chair. We asked another member of staff who promptly fetched it from behind the front door. Thanks for nothing, A. Dinner was good if slow, but fine, they were busy. However, half an hour after our main, no dessert appeared and with our baby getting fractious, we asked for it. It’ll come soon, said a staff member, asking again to check our order. Half an hour later, nada. An hour of nothing! Baby bawling, we decided to leave and settle up, minus the dessert. At this point the staff not only didn’t take off the never-appeared dessert, but also charged for drinks. That fourth course was … what was it? A couldn’t answer. Another staff member said it was for ‘water’ - which we were never told about or offered. She offered us a bottle of water. Sigh. We paid, left, and offer these two lessons for staff: Especially for A: don’t misinform your customers Don’t make promises (‘it’ll come soon’) that you can’t live up to. So, a nice restaurant, but A spoiled it for us, a real shame. We encourage others to visit, and hope you get...