Rotas da Ilha Verde

Rotas da Ilha Verde is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel in the Azores. It opened in 2006 in a small house on Rua Pedro Homem that was converted into a cosy, informal dining room, and it has been a home for plant-based cooking in the city ever since.

The kitchen works with fresh produce and, whenever possible, with local producers. Every morning the team goes to the local market to choose vegetables, herbs, spices and fruit in person, and the menu is rewritten every four months so that it follows what each season offers. The restaurant says it cares about sustainability and respects nature's cycles.

Dishes are prepared individually, with attention to allergies, intolerances and other dietary needs, and many can be served vegan. The interior mixes rustic, naturalist and art deco touches, with a soundtrack of indie, alternative rock and blues.

The restaurant is small, so booking a table is a good idea. It is in the centre of Ponta Delgada, a short walk from the main streets of the historic quarter.