petrichor.bar — Restaurant in Ponta Delgada

As someone who loves tracking the World’s 50 Best Bars, I can honestly say that Petrichor.Bar in Ponta Delgada doesn't just belong on the map—it sets a new standard. I ended up visiting four times during my trip and was so obsessed I went through all nine cocktails on their debut Saudade menu! What makes this place special is that it’s all about the storytelling. The team's mixology technique is absolutely on par with the elite international cocktail spots, but here, the drinks are 100% focused on Azorean ingredients, history, and legends. It’s an elevated, local experience you won't find anywhere else. My absolute favorite was "Mi Tierra Es Tu Tierra" (My Land Is Your Land). It tasted incredible and completely defied my expectations. Plus, I loved learning that the local honey they use has such a close, personal connection to the owner, Telmo. I was also really touched by the "Dona Ricardina," knowing that a portion of the proceeds goes directly to an Alzheimer's society—it’s just such a meaningful touch. The service, led by owner Telmo and key hosts like André, was truly outstanding every single time. They've perfected that balance of attentive, non-intrusive hospitality. They were always checking up on me—refilling water and topping up the complimentary popcorn—without ever hovering "on my shoulders." It really is gold-standard bar service. The whole vibe is great, too. It attracts a perfect mix of locals and discerning tourists across different ages, so it always feels cultured and welcoming, never like a "party" scene. The aesthetics really lean into the islands, with cool details like volcanic basalt coasters and lots of greenery. The attention to detail extends everywhere—even the restrooms are super clean and thoughtfully stocked with things like menstrual accessories. A Tiny Tip: Since the narratives behind the cocktails are so rich, my one gentle suggestion is that the music volume sometimes made it tough to fully catch the fascinating story the team was telling (especially with the lovely Azorean accent!). Slowing down the explanation just a tiny bit would ensure everyone gets to soak up the history, which is truly the best part. Honestly, even with that small note, if you’re looking for a genuine Azorean experience distilled into a complex, world-class drink, Petrichor.Bar is a must-visit. Telmo and André were such great hosts—I’m already missing them and their fantastic...

My wife and I stumbled into this place and we were blown away. We were immediately welcomed by Biggie (one of the mixologists) and he gave us a cozy seat in the back by the bar. The decor was welcoming, naturalist, and really showed they had put a lot of thought into creating an almost ecological atmosphere to the whole place. Even the bathroom was well decorated and thought out! The music choices were excellent, and I definitely Shazzam'ed a few to save for later!

We were presented with two menus - one for seasonal drinks, and the other corresponding to the 9 drinks that each come with a personal story of the owner/creator (Telmo). You can easily get a more traditional cocktail off of the seasonal menu, but we opted for the story drinks and were so glad we did. Between our first visit and a subsequent trip, we tried 6 of the 9 drinks off this menu and none of them disappointed. All of them were incredibly creative, leveraging local ingredients and flavors but all with a purpose of Telmo telling a story about his youth, his family, or the islands through the cocktail. Frankly, we learned a lot more about everyday life on the islands through these cocktails than we did in books or tours. It was fascinating to learn about some of the local ingredients and how they featured in these more advanced, often clarified/infused cocktails.

We shared the corn fritter appetizer, which was awesome. My only regret was not getting some of their tacos!

Overall, Telmo and Biggie have something really special here. They approach their craft and customers with care. This is not the place to go pound a few quick drinks you can find on any menu. The patience is well worth the effort, as the two are doing all the hosting, mixing, story telling, and cooking, which ultimately made for a much more intimate, humanistic experience, something my wife and I just rarely see nowadays in so many bars. Ultimately, we felt humbled and honored to experience someone's lived experience and storytelling, all through the medium of cocktails. We can't recommend...

One of the absolute highlights of our trip to the Azores—alongside spotting orcas and climbing the ice-covered Pico—was discovering the Petrichor Bar, which had only been open for about three weeks.

We were so impressed by the exceptional cocktails, the beautiful and welcoming atmosphere, and the outstanding service that we ended up visiting three nights in a row. The stylish interior, with lush greenery and volcanic stone elements, perfectly reflects the stunning nature of the Azores, making you feel completely at ease.

In addition to reimagined classic cocktails, the bar offers a special menu featuring nine signature cocktails, which we made it our mission to try (over three nights!). And wow—words simply cannot do them justice. I have never in my life had cocktails this delicious, creative, and perfectly balanced. Only the finest spirits and ingredients are used, with many, such as the house-made orange soda, crafted in-house.

Each of the nine signature drinks comes with a unique story, passionately shared by Telmo, the bar’s creator and founder. And that brings me to the final point: the hospitality. Bartenders Telmo and Bigi are extraordinary hosts, taking the time to personally engage with every guest, treating everyone like close friends or family. We not only learned a great deal about cocktail-making and their philosophy, but we were also treated to some incredible tastings.

In sumnary, Petrichor is the kind of bar you’d expect to find in a major city, offering cocktails on a level comparable to a three-star Michelin...