Gastrónomo — Restaurant in Ponta Delgada

On January , 2025, my boyfriend and I decided to spend our last evening on the Azores at this restaurant – a huge mistake! We ordered a seafood platter for two, which looked good at first. But what followed was an absolute nightmare. The next morning, when we were supposed to fly home early, I became extremely sick. At the airport, I vomited multiple times, experienced circulatory problems, chills, and my hands turned ice-cold and bloodless. Eventually, I had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, where I was given two IV drips. The diagnosis: food poisoning from tuna! My boyfriend also showed symptoms of food poisoning, although his condition was not severe enough to require hospital treatment. I hadn’t eaten any other fish or seafood that day – this poisoning 100% came from this restaurant! But instead of addressing the issue, the restaurant completely ignored me or accused me of trying to scam them. No apology, no accountability, no effort to investigate what happened or how they could prevent this in the future. Aside from this terrible experience, the restaurant’s atmosphere is loveless and ugly, and the service feels completely fake and overly polite. I strongly warn against eating here, especially when it comes to seafood! If you don’t want to ruin your vacation, go somewhere else!

Unfortunately, I am unable to respond directly to the reply to my Google review, so I would like to clarify a few points here:

I was repeatedly ignored on Facebook, and no attempt was made to find a solution. Additionally, I have had issues with the hospital in the Azores – my records were searched in their system for two months unsuccessfully due to a fire, and to this day, I have not received the necessary medical report. Since I have not received any feedback from the doctor, I have now filed an official complaint with the hospital.

Instead of taking my concerns seriously, you once again ask me why only I got food poisoning and not other customers. This question is simply absurd. I can’t exactly ask all the other guests at your restaurant whether they also experienced symptoms – I was only there with my friend, and he had the same symptoms, albeit milder. Furthermore, it is well-known that the concentration of pathogens in food is not evenly distributed. One piece of fish may be harmless, while another could cause food poisoning. This is scientifically proven – so perhaps you should inform yourself before making such statements.

The real reason I am so upset is not because you haven’t offered me financial compensation for the damage (missed flight, additional hotel costs, car rental, etc.), but because you have not once been willing to consider that a mistake may have occurred in your restaurant. You didn’t even attempt to check if there was a problem with the storage or preparation of the fish. Instead, you immediately shut down any responsibility.

Do you really think that I am going through all this trouble – filing complaints, contacting authorities, and going through all the hassle – just because of a few hundred euros? That is absurd. You are responsible for the safety of the food you serve.

Had you shown even the slightest bit of insight or attempted to investigate the case internally, I might have spared you this message. But since all I’ve received from you is rejection and ignorance, I feel it is my duty to warn others so that no one else has to go through what I did.

Additionally, I was mistreated in the hospital and have since been struggling with an inflamed and thrombosed vein. My health has significantly suffered due to this incident – and instead of being open to an investigation, you are attempting to portray me as a fraud. This is simply disappointing and...

This place is just great. I loved it. We have been there for dinner, right at 7pm when they opened. This was a good Idea because half an hour later no table was left anymore. The owner and her son let you feel like you are at home. Beginning with a handshake at the entrance, telling you stories about the fish she is offering and in the end serving you liqueur as a gift. They offered us one of the best and friendliest service we have ever had.

Coming back to the food. As appetizer we had the grilled limpets with additional bread. They came directly from the grill and were still sizzling. The waitress pressed a fresh lemon on them in front of our eyes. The taste was just awesome. If you like to try this azorean delicacy, i would suggest to do it in this restaurant. As main dish we had a bluemouth rockfish. It looked and tasted very delicious too. According to the taste i think it was grilled above charcoal. It came with sweet potatoes, potatoes and salad. The owner presented our ordered fish at our table before cooking, so we could see the high quality of the fish. As dessert we had a flambeed azorean pineapple. As all pineapple of this kind it was very sweet.

In summary, I highly recommend this restaurant. The owner and her son alone are worth the visit. And the food is just great. If you want to come to the restaurant try to be there at the opening. Otherwise it could be that there is no table...

Nestled in the heart of Ponta Delgada, Restaurante Gastrónomo offers an unforgettable dining experience that masterfully combines the rich flavors of Azorean cuisine with unparalleled hospitality. From the moment you step through its doors, you’re welcomed into a warm and inviting atmosphere that feels both intimate and familial.

Culinary Delights: 5/5

The menu at Gastrónomo is a testament to the bounty of the Azores, featuring an array of fresh, locally sourced seafood and traditional Portuguese dishes. I would recommend the catch of the day, with options like perfectly grilled tuna steak, the limpets, and the pineapple blood sausage.

Service and Ambiance: 5/5

What truly sets Gastrónomo apart is its exceptional service. The mother-son duo who manage the restaurant are celebrated for their genuine warmth and dedication to ensuring each guest feels like part of the family. The shared passion for sharing the culinary traditions of Azores is evident in their attentive explanations of each dish and personalized recommendations. The cozy interior, combined with their heartfelt hospitality, creates an atmosphere that transforms the meal into a memorable experience.

In summary, Restaurante Gastrónomo is more than just a place to eat. If you are a visitor, a meal here promises to be a highlight of your time in Ponta Delgada. I can’t wait to visit again and thank you Goncalo for the...