Cape Verdean food is honest, hearty and rooted in the sea and the land — a Creole blend of Portuguese, African and Brazilian flavours. Meals are unhurried and sociable, and the islands have their own drinks worth seeking out. Here's what to eat and drink on your trip.
Cachupa: the national dish
If you try one thing, make it cachupa — Cape Verde's slow-cooked national dish of hominy corn, beans, vegetables and whatever meat or fish is to hand. Every island (and cook) has its own version, from the simple cachupa pobre to the richer cachupa rica. Leftovers fried with an egg for breakfast — cachupa refogada — are a local favourite.
Fish & seafood
Surrounded by the Atlantic, the islands serve superb fish: grilled tuna, wahoo, grouper and garoupa, plus lobster, octopus and limpets (lapas). A plate of the day's catch with rice, beans and fried plantain is a reliable, delicious meal almost anywhere near the coast.
Other dishes to try
Look out for pastéis (fried pastries filled with fish or tuna), xerém and cuscuz (steamed corn dishes), modje stew, and fresh goat's cheese from Fogo and other islands. Tropical fruit — mango, papaya, banana — is excellent in season.
Drinks: grogue, ponche, beer & wine
The national spirit is grogue, a fiery sugar-cane rum, best sampled at a Santo Antão distillery; its sweeter cousin is ponche. Local Strela beer is refreshing in the heat, Fogo produces the country's distinctive volcanic wine, and Cape Verdean coffee is worth seeking out. Drink grogue with respect — it's strong.
Where & how to eat
Eat at small local restaurants and beach barracas for the best value and flavour; resort buffets are convenient but less characterful. Service is relaxed, so never rush a meal. Vegetarians can do well with bean dishes, rice, vegetables and cachupa, though it's worth checking how each version is made.
Frequently asked questions
What is the national dish of Cape Verde?
Cachupa — a slow-cooked stew of hominy corn, beans, vegetables and meat or fish. Every island has its own version and it's often eaten fried for breakfast the next day.
Is there good vegetarian food in Cape Verde?
Yes, though you'll need to ask. Bean stews, rice, vegetables, fresh fruit and some versions of cachupa are meat-free, but many dishes include meat or fish stock.
Can you drink the tap water in Cape Verde?
It's best not to. Stick to cheap bottled water, which is available everywhere, and use it for drinking and brushing teeth.
What is grogue?
Grogue is Cape Verde's traditional sugar-cane rum, distilled from fresh cane juice. Santo Antão is its heartland, and the sweeter version is called ponche.
Practical checklist
- Try cachupa at least once — ideally a local, home-style version.
- Order the fish of the day near the coast for the freshest meal.
- Sample grogue and ponche responsibly at a distillery.
- Carry cash for small local restaurants and beach barracas.