Divin Art

Divin Art has been the most civilised local restaurant I've visited so far. It looks fabulous, and the food was so fresh and tasty. The staff were lovely and service was quick, while prices felt very reasonable compared with other places I've eaten in Cape Verde. I'd happily recommend it.

The decor is lovely and the atmosphere is good, with a friendly waiter who clearly works hard. Still, there were no locals at all, and it felt like a tourist trap. We waited a full two hours for food that wasn't worth it. The grilled pork was fried instead, despite what the waiter had said, and the two chicken pasta dishes tasted and felt stale. It's pricey compared with other restaurants nearby.

The owner was kind about our decision to leave early, so cancelling the last part of our booking wasn't a problem. We had reserved three nights but cut our stay short because the room was so basic: the bed was uncomfortable enough to hurt, especially for anyone with back problems, and there was just one towel for two people. Nobody explained anything when we arrived, and there was no conversation or check-in at breakfast the next day. We'd expected more given the high ratings.

Divin' Art is a handy base for hikes in Santo Antão, and I had a lovely stay. Helder was kind, relaxed and very helpful. Breakfast was great too. The restaurant was only open for lunch while I was there, but Helder let me use the kitchen to make my own dinner.