Cape Verde Food and Drink

Cape Verdean food is an enticing mixture of Creole, Portuguese and African flavours. The islands have a wealth of seafood which is often cooked straight from the sea. The influx of tourists is causing an increasing number of quality restaurants to open up.

Specialities
  • Canja:A thick chicken soup with rice.
  • Catchupa: A slow boiled stew of corn, beans, vegetables and marinated tuna or meat.
  • Morreia: Oil-fried eel.
  • Percebes: Barnacles with a squid-like texture eaten by cracking the ends to get to the meat under the skin.
  • Bol De Cus-Cus: A corn and sugar cake.
  • Queijo de Cabra com Doce de Popoia: Goat cheese topped with papaya jam, served for dessert.
  • Fruits include goiabas, zimbrão, tambarinas, marmelos, azedinhas, tamaras and cocos.

National drinks:

  • Grogue (sugar cane rum).
  • Manecome (local wine from Fogo).
  • Strela (beer brewed on Santiago)
Tipping

It is normal to give 10% for good service.

Drinking age

 18 to purchase alcohol.

Visa and passport information is updated regularly and is correct at the time of publishing. You should verify critical travel information independently with the relevant embassy before you travel.