Cais da Sardinha — Restaurant in Ponta Delgada

Went there two times.

The first time: I was literally standing in the restaurant and waiting for someone to greet me but NO, nothing! 5/6 people passed in front of me without even a “hello”.

The first person that talked to me said “what do you want?” Not even “hello”.

So, they were full and they told me to come back in 15’. Instead of going out for 15’ I asked if I could wait in the bar and then they said yes... It ended up that the 15’ turned into 1 hour because they forgot me outside at the bar...

I asked for entree, main dish and dessert. I don’t advise you to take the garlic bread. I asked for the tuna “médium”. I received a too cooked tuna. Really dry!

The second time I came: It was 22:10 when I called to ask until what time the kitchen was open, they first said midnight and then 23:00. I showed up 10’ later and AGAIN no HELLO, no GOOD EVENING, they just asked what I wanted. And they were all worried because the kitchen was about to close...

I was “lucky” enough that they accepted that I order some food. I did not ask for entree just tuna again and I asked it “undercooked” bc I wanted it red and not dry but again I got it over cooked. Too dry... but that was ok, it was 22:45...

I really wanted a dessert and some drinks but nobody came back to my table... so I waited... waited for 30’ and left the restaurant. Nobody asked if I liked it or if I wanted something else.

I don’t...

For never ever coming back. I’m pretty disappointed by this place considering the high expectations I had. I went with a group of friend and the treatment was AWFUL!!

The 2 waiters rolling up the eyes in front of us when we were asking questions/suggestions about the dishes. 3/4 of what we would have liked to eat was not available (fair enough if it wasn’t we just had the impression they just wanted us out of there as soon as possible). Once one option was not available,they were not even helping us to find a plan B.

Speaking within each other in front of us at the table thinking we could not understand. I also started calling another restaurant and we were ready to just pay the waters and beers and go!!

The food was average but I admit quantity was good. At the moment of the desert they referred to us with such rudeness that we directly asked the check and left!!

Then suddenly they came to us with two bottles of wine “offered by the restaurant”.

I’m kinda sad because after the entire day we were hoping to get a nice end and they honestly bitter the day.

Maybe we just had bad luck and they were having a bad day,but I would not recommend it to any friend of mine. Working with the public unfortunately has a price and you cannot treat costumers like they are a burden when they walk...

I was in Ponta Delgada for a 24-hour layover from Lisbon to Toronto. I ran into Cais Da Sardinha on my research for the best places to eat in the city. Seeing the ambience alone on the photos made me want to go as they have floor-to ceiling windows with stunning views of the harbour. I went there for 12Noon lunch before it gets busy at 2PM (I was told Portuguese people have their lunch this late). Immediately I was greeted with their very pleasant manager and I was able to get a table at the corner, best view of the harbour. I got a glass of champagne (the cheapest one) to start, and it was good and fresh. I ordered their Pica Pau Do Mar (Seafood bites) because I was craving for seafood but didn't want a huge meal as I had a heavy breakfast that day. It was so good, the sauce was delectable that I should've ordered bread to dip with it, and their octopus slices were probably the most tender I have ever tasted. Next time I come here, I will order the octopus main course! It was that memorable! Good food, great value and excellent service! Only paid 21 EUR for everything (glass of bubbles, seafood snack plate, a bottle of water and a generous serving of dessert), which I could never get from where I live. Shoutouts to Joao for accommodating me with utmost attention. Cais Da Sardinha is...