Raízes da Ilha — Restaurant in Santa Cruz

Have been rarely so disappointed. We came for dinner with 4 kids. We waited for the food for more than an hour... Even bread took over 30 minutes. The menu was a mix of local food and Russian, Ukrainian, Lithuanian dishes cause owners were fron there. Whatever we took from the Russian menu took the longest, even though these were super basic, quick and simple dishes... They first brought the local dishes after a super long wait, including a 20 euro seafood mix that looked like leftovers, and told us the rest would take another 20 minutes cause they were just starting to make them... Kids were ready to cry, and me too... Then they brought tgese potato pancakes that were supposed to have caviar but with mushrooms instead... I mentioned immediately it was not the right topping, the lady ran to the restaurant next door and came back with a micro dose of something looking lime caviar and just poored it over the mushrooms... It felt like my son was eating garbage, but it was so late and he was so hungry that I did not dare to leave. Worst experience ever. Cannot believe these people run a restaurant and dare to make people pay for this garbage food and horrible service. We got a discount because I asked for it, 10%... Such a joke. Not even an appology from the owner, who was in the meantime walking in front of our faces eating with a plate in her hands in the middle of the restaurant. While her only server was running around like crazy and clients were starving. To escape at any cost! This experience was on top a 120...

We ate there one night with our 2 years old son, and it was great ! The food was very good and very well presented, and the products were really fresh. And most of all, the staff was amazing, really nice with us and our son, they made sure we didn't need anything. We returned there 2 days later and we had another great time so don't hesitate to go there ! And if you're French, they...

Went for lunch and all five of us loved it. Best beef skewer and octopus we have had on the Island having been here almost two weeks now! Great service and friendly staff. Server gave us great recommendations especially for accompanying sides for our meals. Highly recommend...