Taberna de Pim, Restauração Lda. — Restaurant in Horta

Imagine going out for dinner, sending back a steak that tasted of prawns, and ending up stuck in the restaurant for over an hour while the police are called. That’s exactly what happened to us here.

We ate at this restaurant three times in a row because we initially enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Unfortunately, our third visit turned into a nightmare. One of our steaks tasted strongly of prawns/fish and seemed unsafe to eat, so we sent it back after a few bites.

Instead of dealing with the situation directly, the owner summoned us (through staff) to come inside to speak with him. We invited him to come outside to our table instead, but he never did, and no response was offered. To our shock, the steak stayed on the bill. When we refused to pay for a dish we could not eat, the owner threatened to call the police. When we still refused, he did call the police and told us we could not leave.

We then had to wait in the restaurant for over an hour until the police finally arrived. The police informed him that the law is clear: if food is unsafe and not eaten, the customer does not have to pay. Only then did he remove the steak from the bill, after first pointing to a sign on his door that falsely claimed otherwise.

Based on other reviews, this seems to be his usual practice — whenever customers send food back, he refuses refunds and immediately threatens to call the police, knowing most people will fold and pay to avoid the ordeal. The police proved him wrong, but the whole episode was incredibly stressful and put a very nasty end to an otherwise lovely visit to the island.

My advice to others: if the owner threatens to call the police in this situation, don’t be intimidated. Call his bluff — the law is on your side. This is a deeply unpleasant and dishonest practice, and I want to warn others: if you have a problem with the food here, be prepared for intimidation instead of basic...

Simply fabulous place on the waterfront. Service was casual but then we had just gone swimming at the beach a few meters away so waiting was no burden.

Starters: skip the new cheese tapas but do order the the Sao Jorge cheese and bread. A welcome break from the bland cheese substance served in local sandwiches. DO get the calimari. It's as all should be. Lightly breaded, not overcooked. Delicious, obviously.

Mains: Swordfish Risotto was well if not perfectly done. The Penne with Wild Mushroom and Sao Jorge cheese sauce was a winner. Delicate so be careful of your wine pick.

Wine. We chose the 100% Verdelho from nearby Pico because you will never see it on a menu again. Fairly potent. Pair it as you would a red. Get a glass or half liter. Swordfish risotto, yes. Mushroom penne, no.

Desert: lime mousse for two. The right thing to cleanse the palatte. Thank-you server for a wise recommendation.

All in all a good value meal in a fine location. Anywhere else in the world out table would have been booked weeks ahead. We...

Taberna do Pim offers a wonderful outdoor seating area that's perfect for watching the sunset - truly a magical setting that draws crowds for good reason. The restaurant is extremely popular and bustling with activity, though they don't take reservations so be prepared to wait for a table.

The staff is friendly and welcoming, but the popularity comes with a downside: service can be quite slow due to how busy they get. You'll need to be patient, especially during peak sunset hours.

The food quality is good and satisfying once it arrives. However, I'd recommend skipping the house red wine, which was unfortunately not very enjoyable - perhaps stick to other beverage options or ask for wine recommendations.

Overall, the price-to-value ratio is reasonable for what you get. If you're willing to wait for a table and don't mind slower service in exchange for that spectacular sunset view and decent food, it's worth a visit. Just plan accordingly and maybe arrive early or be prepared for a...