The alcatra is definitely the highlight of the meal at Quinta do Martelo, but if you come with a super hearty appetite (you’ll want to be borderline ravenous), you should definitely try some of the appetizers, too. Crispy torresmos, juicy morcela, boiled corn, and all types of cheese, including famously sharp ones from the island of São Jorge, represent the Azore’s traditionally modest kitchen.
If you want a more straight-forward restaurant experience in which to try alcatra, make a lunchtime reservation at Caneta in Biscoitos, where they plate this iconic stew alongside many other preparations of steak. Yes, even though you’re on an island, Terceira is a meat lover’s paradise. But the menu here does feature garlicky lapas, too. This unusual chewy shellfish is a popular delicacy in the Azores. Another classic spot where you can load up on homemade Azorean fare is Tasca das Tias in the heart of Angra. In this cavern-like dining room, the kitchen churns grilled tuna (a plentiful fish in these waters), a plate of island cheese, and plump prawns in garlic sauce.
For sweet treats, check out O Forno, a bakery not far from Tasca das Tias, for its Queijada da Dona Amélia, the island’s iconic pastry named after Queen Amélia, who visited Terceira in 1901. The cornmeal cake is made unique with a dash of cinnamon, one of the spices that traveled through from Asia. And for ice cream, suffer decision-fatigue with Quinta da Acores’ rotating selection of flavors, most of which are made with local produce. They also transform traditional confections into ice cream flavors, like Queijada da Graciosa, a cheesecake from the nearby island of Graciosa.
And while the island of Pico has the biggest wine production in the Azores, there are vineyards and wineries on Terceira, too. One of the best is Materramenta, a fairly new outfit bottling classic Azorean wines. A tour around their vineyard reveals a unique planting style, where lava-rock ceilings are built over and around grape plants to protect them from the elements. There is a 100% verdelho (one the indigenous grape varietals of the region) from Terceira, but Materramenta produces wines on other islands, too, which you can sample in their Biscoitos tasting room.
And because every Azorean island is a dairy island, you must try the local cheese. Queijo Vaquinha is the most famous, and if you visit with a guide, they’ll give you a small tray with about a dozen cubes of four different types of cheese. (Yes, for free.)
Where to stay on Terceira
Opened in 2023, Hotel Teatro’s interior decor leans heavily on regency, but there are a lot of modern elements, too, including double-glazed windows, which will come in handy during the boisterous festival season. The cozy lobby and bar area might make you think this is a cramped hotel, but there are plenty of amenities: a small gym and spa (with hot tubs and a sauna), a dedicated breakfast room, a library, and a beautiful garden with a pool. You’ll definitely want to explore, and maybe you’ll spot one of the buildings’ traditional triangle-shaped chimneys.
