It often feels mythical and very special to be in Africa, but sometimes it feels good to meet and exchange with other travelers, when you are in a non-touristic town like Mindelo on the island os São Vicente.
Only when I started visiting Mindelo, have I realized how huge our westerner coffee shop and restaurant culture really is – and that this is not so common among the natives. I had to first find “my” places, that gave me the comfort of home and contact with other travelers or foreigners.
I have met many other European and American travelers in Mindelo on the search for a restaurant or coffee to exchange with others, too. Therefore i am sharing the location of the few go-to places:
La Pergola Restaurant
La Pergola is also called “Centre Français”. It is a beautiful small restaurant and coffee, that unites the African spirit with a European cultural touch. It also holds a small library and is an excellent meeting point with other tourists.
You will always meet travelers and enjoy fresh fish or an extremely good breakfast within the green space, that has partly an open roof, like one “pergola”.
Tripadvisor page of La Pergola
Facebook page of La Pergola
Location:
Casa Café Mindelo
Cafe Mindelo lies in the centre of Mindelo, but is close to the sea. It offers fresh smoothies, breakfast, coffee and some simple and good foods. You will find locals and tourist for a meal or a coffee.
Tripadvisor page of Casa Café Mindelo
Kalimba Beach Club
Kalimba is a very good choice if you search for a beautiful location to relax on the beach and good food. It is always well-visited by people that like a quality lunch or dinner, or drinks on the beach. The beach bar belongs to the hotel Oàsis Porto Grande, but is open to everyone.
Website of Kalimba Beach Club (Oàsis Porto Grande)
Tripadvisor of Kalimba Beach Club
O Cocktail
Unlike the name, this place is not a bar. It is an open roof restaurant, with really good foods and attracts travelers. The place is a bit hidden, as the entrance is besides a supermarket. The stairs lead steep up to the terrace. One would not expect this place from the outside.
Website of the O Cocktail
Tripadvisor O Cocktail
Caravela Laginha
Caravela is the place for you, if you like action and appreciate a place with natives and tourist. It serves good food on the beach and has a lot of visitors in the evening for drinks, during football games but also more relaxing during the day for lunch.
Facebook of Caravela Laginha
