Quinta do Martelo

It’s a little hard to find off the main path, but worth looking for. Set in an old home, it has a charming, authentic feel. The food is very good and reasonably priced. We tried the appetizer platter, just 5 euros for one person, and it was amazing to taste food fresh from their farm. Then we had the stew, which takes 24 hours to make. It was insanely delicious, and the portion was huge. The staff were so attentive and great. 10/10 recommend.

The beef Alcatra was the standout for me, rich, tender, and packed with flavor. They even showed us how it’s prepared afterward, which gave us a better feel for the island’s food traditions. The welcome was warm, and the staff took time to explain the local dishes, so we felt looked after from the start. It’s a little tricky to find, tucked into a small cul-de-sac, and the outside looks plain. It was chilly indoors too, though that might have been because we visited in March. Still, this was a real highlight of our time on Terceira, with traditional Azorean food and hospitality. Worth seeking out, and I’d happily recommend supporting this traditional guesthouse.

The alcatra came with lots of sides, and the sea fennel was my favorite. There was much more food than I could finish, so bring your own container if you’d like to take leftovers, they avoid plastic. The rice pudding was tasty too. We didn’t stay at the hotel, but were welcomed warmly for dinner. The menus are set up like educational magazines and come in several languages. Great service and a meal full of history and tradition.

The atmosphere is part of what makes the meal so good, and the portions are generous. The flavors worked wonderfully together, and Monica was so welcoming. This was the best meal we had in Terceira. Don’t skip eating here.