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Picture the scene: being seated in an airy yet cozy restaurant, pouring over a to-die-for menu while sipping on chilled wine and taking in the dazzling view of a silver-white beach that stretches into a sparkling turquoise ocean. This is Fernando de Noronha, a picturesque tropical island that lies about 350 kilometers off Brazil’s northeast coast. The island is famously untouched and a protected national park, which preserves its jaw-dropping natural beauty and provides astonishing backdrops for a dining experience to remember. Here’s some of the best places to eat in Fernando de Noronha.

O Pico

Restaurant, Brazilian, Contemporary, Seafood

vegetarian restaurants Fernando de Noronha in Brazil
© Diego Grandi / Shutterstock
O Pico is more than just a restaurant. In addition to serving up quality food from a diverse menu that includes mouth-watering burgers and potato chunks, dessert-like coffees, and succulent seafood, O Pico has live music, open-air cinema nights, and is even a fashion brand with their own flip-flops in collaboration with Ipanema and a selection of trendy, beach-chic clothes on sale in their venue.

Restaurante Varanda

Restaurant, Brazilian, Contemporary, Seafood

vegetarian restaurants Fernando de Noronha in Brazil
© Pixabay

With an outdoor terrace surrounded by palm trees and the vivid blue ocean in the background, Restaurante Varanda is open-air dining at its finest and lets diners enjoy the Noronha’s splendid views while eating some of the island’s freshest, most delicious cuisine. From comforting paella and Parmigiana, to delicate prawns and indulgent desserts—all of which are just as pretty as they are tasty—the menu is truly a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds.

Restaurante Corveta

Hotel

vegetarian restaurants Fernando de Noronha in Brazil
© Pixabay
Restaurante Corveta is fine dining at its best with food that looks so good that it’s almost a shame to eat it—although that pity quickly passes after you take the first bite. Its crisp and clean décor matches its haute cuisine, yet the venue still has a familiar environment thanks to friendly staff and live music in the evenings. Try getting a spot on the outdoor terrace for an open-air dining treat.

Mergulhão

Restaurant, Brazilian, Seafood, Contemporary, Vegetarian

vegetarian restaurants Fernando de Noronha in Brazil
© courtesy of Mergulhão

For the paradisical scene of dining on delicious food accompanied by a smooth wine with a picturesque tropical backdrop, there are few finer spots than Mergulhão. From the superb menu that considers every last detail, to the splendid outdoor terrace with its ocean views, Mergulhão has everything for the perfect dinner-date setting. The trick here is to arrive for a late lunch followed by a bottle of fine wine and wait for the sunset.

Restaurante Xica da Silva

Restaurant, Seafood, Brazilian, South American

Restaurante Xica da Silva, Fernando de Noronha

For a picturesque yet casual setting to eat some of the island’s best seafood, there are few better spots than Restaurante Xica da Silva, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The star on the menu is the camarão na morango, a whole roasted pumpkin filled with prawns in a creamy sauce which easily serves two or more people. Other highlights to look out for are the coconut-breaded prawns and the moqueca (a traditional fish stew from the northeast of Brazil) with lobster.

Bar do Meio Noronha

Bar, Restaurant, Brazilian, Seafood

vegetarian restaurants Fernando de Noronha in Brazil
© Diego Grandi / Shutterstock

For perfect beachside drinks and flawless food, head to Bar do Meio Noronha that sits right next to the beach. The wooden terrace with a simple thatched roof provides a simple yet cozy setting to settle down with some chilled cocktails, some delicious aperitifs, and listen to the calming rhythms of the live band. The best time to go is in the late afternoon to get the best seat on the terrace to watch the sunset.

Restaurante Cacimba Bistrô

Restaurant, Brazilian, Seafood

vegetarian restaurants Fernando de Noronha in Brazil
© Diego Grandi / Shutterstock

This charming restaurant, provides a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for a casual dining experience where seafood is the main focus of the menu. The ceviche is one of the most popular items for its soft, succulent fish and garnish of thinly-sliced red onions, as are the breaded prawns served with a sweet, sticky dip, the lobster pastels and the moqueca de peixe (fish stew).

About the author

Sarah is a British freelance journalist and writer based in Rio de Janeiro. Her favourite travel experiences so far include swimming with whale sharks in Mexico, trekking through Rio's urban forest and enjoying the city life in Madrid. Find her on Instagram @sbgrio

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