Ah! Boca Santa — Restaurant in Horta

I came for the vegetarian burger but was disappointed to find out that it was not available that day. Instead, I was recommended the salad, which was described as “really tasty and filling,” with the option to add a fried egg. That was not really what I had in mind for my dinner, but the owner’s convincing manner eventually made me decide to order the salad.

I wanted to add some fries, but I was politely discouraged from doing so, as I was told the portion was very large. In reality, the salad was no more than average, not served with bread, and definitely not filling – especially if you came craving a burger. The fries I saw at other tables looked like a perfectly standard portion, not oversized at all.

It also felt like the description of the salad was something the owner had repeated many times before. Since I was one of the first guests and the explanation already sounded very “rehearsed,” and because I later saw other vegetarian guests being turned away with exactly the same wording, I had the impression that the vegetarian burger is often not available.

Nevertheless, the service was good, and it was clear that the owner put in a lot of effort, was attentive, and genuinely tried to make everyone happy. Still, it would be worth considering a proper alternative for when the vegetarian burger is...

Absolute Must-Try in the Azores!

If you’re in the Azores and love great food, don’t miss this spot. The owner and staff here are genuinely friendly and seem to really care about making you feel welcome – they even ask about any special requests and go out of their way to accommodate them.

The food itself is amazing. You can tell everything is made with fresh, local ingredients, and that extra touch shows in every bite. The burgers and sandwiches are creative and seriously delicious, with perfectly crispy handmade fries on the side. Even the coffee is fantastic, pulled from a proper espresso machine and served in quirky, charming cups that add a fun vibe.

And if you’re into sweets, the cakes and cookies are something else! We loved it so much that we came back twice in three days. Located in a cozy, covered market area, we always managed to find a table without any hassle. Highly recommend stopping by – it’s the kind of place that makes a trip...

Visited today for lunch, and although I have visited the market many times (and resident on the island for early 2 years), I have not stopped here for food before. My friend suggested that it was a great place to eat - she was not wrong!

It caters for vegetarians, and she had a vegetarian burger, while I opted for the beef burger. Helped along with some sweet potato chips and a beer to wash it down with.

In short, my burger was nothing short of fantastic: Well balanced, succulent and beautifully presented. The menu on the page lists the ingredients, not a simple burger by any means, but not one that totally overwhelms. Just right. Bread 'bun' is a delight. The fries hot and crispy - also I got to sample some regular 'chips' which are hand prepared too, and also fabulous. The beer was an Indian Pale ale, whose name escapes me, but it was very good, imported from San Miguel.

Overall, a complete surprise and a super place for lunch. I...