Restaurante Taberna Roberto — Restaurant in Angra do Heroísmo

All I can say is... Wow, what an amazing experience! Roberto’s is the best there is on the island of Terceira. I had one of the most amazing meals of my life there. We had a tour guide recommend it to us, and I am filled with gratitude that he did, because the only thing wrong with this place is that it’s not in a location that the average tourist is likely to stumble across.

The experience started off with an introduction to Roberto himself. The moment I met him he had an aura about him that very few people have where you know immediately you are in good hands. Roberto led us into the kitchens where you see the wood fired ovens blazing and Roberto and his wife introduce you to all of the items they have available for you.

I originally was going to choose the filet mignon, which is always a safe bet especially on the island of Terceira, but Roberto recommended what I believe was the emperor fish which literally came out of the pristine waters off the coast of the island like fifteen minutes prior to us arriving at the restaurant. I love seafood. I have had thousands of seafood menu items in my life. The emperor fish I had that day was, hands down, the best fish I have ever eaten in my life.

Roberto also recommended a variety of wines to suit a variety of tastes and or budget, but he made a point of recommending the best wine for that specific fish which is what we decided to go with. Once again our trust in Roberto was richly rewarded with the perfect wine pairing for the perfect fish.

The dessert menu was relatively small. I ordered the lemon pie. It was also phenomenal.

Our party of three walked into Roberto’s with one objective: enjoy the best meal the island of Terceira had to offer regardless of the cost. We achieved that objective. The total for the meal was just over €100 (cash only) which is on the high side for the island, but we spared absolutely no expense. This was a dining experience that would beat any experience in the USA for three times that cost. We could easily have walked away from the table after an amazing meal for less than half of that cost, but like I said earlier Roberto has that aura about him that makes you want to take a chance in order to experience one of the finest, if not THE finest, meal you have ever had in your life.

Well done my friend. I will see you...

We booked a table at Restaurante Taberna Roberto, fully expecting a good meal. We were not disappointed! The experience started when we walked in, and Roberto greeted us with open arms. He brought us to our table, through rooms with walls crowded with bottles of wine. The kitchen is open, and we can watch the chef (Roberto's wife) do her magic over the wood fired flames. Roberto gave us the menu verbally, as they base the menu on the days "catch" what they have that's fresh. He brought us the fish that was on offer, it was very fresh. Snapper in various sizes red, purple and another version. We started with the duck appetizer. It was fantastic. Marinated to perfection in garlic, chilli oil, sweet onion, vinegar and other spices. We asked for a mid range red and were given a very deep Douro wine that was very good. It paired perfectly with the local ribeye steak that was cooked perfectly to medium rare. The beef on Terceira is the best we have ever tasted. Seriously. It is very good beef. This ribeye was good. We also had a yellow fin tuna dish that was served medium, in a delicious sauce of local butter and spices. We finished with home made lemon meringue pie ( I won't say it was as good as mom's..but it was) and Roberto gave us some of their home made ice cream. So so good. Overall, the experience was made so good because of the staff's attentive service. They love what they are doing, and it shows 💯%. The food is 5*, made with local ingredients, and if you are visiting the island, you must come for a meal here. You will need to book in advance, as the locals fill the tables every night!

Thank you Roberto and family for the...

Overhyped Food at Premium Prices – Cash or Debit Only.

It’s possible that the glowing reviews for Taberna Roberto reflect the limited dining options available on the island — and that’s understandable. But the experience itself felt like a lot of hype around very average food, wrapped in a dramatic atmosphere that doesn’t really hold up.

First, there’s no menu. The owner comes to your table and recites the dishes without mentioning prices. You’re expected to choose on the spot — with no chance to compare, get a feel for what looks good, or decide how much you’re comfortable paying. Honestly, I like to see a menu. It helps me enjoy the process. This whole “no menu” setup felt more about theatrics than hospitality. Some people might enjoy that – I don’t.

Then there’s the payment situation. They only accept cash or debit. There is a small sign at the door, but it’s easy to miss. I don’t know about you, but in 2025 I use credit cards almost everywhere, and cash for small things. Here, the only options are cash or debit (and honestly, it was the first time in my life I saw a place accept only debit but not credit – but hey, that’s their call).

The food? Fine. Nothing more. Definitely not worth the premium price tag. The service? Not warm. We personally felt like we were being tolerated, not really welcomed.

In short: if you’re after a cozy, authentic, good-value meal with great service — this probably isn’t the place. But if you enjoy a bit of theater and don’t mind paying upscale prices for average food, maybe it’ll suit you better. Just bring cash — and...