Chez Pastis
A celebrated tiny restaurant in an alley with only about 24 seats, serving two dinner sittings. Reservations often need to be made weeks ahead.
Tucked into a lane beside Santa Maria's main pedestrian street, the dining room has tree-motif decor and seats only about 24 guests, with two sittings each night at 18:30 and 20:45. Signature dishes include seared tuna steak, sesame-crusted tuna tartare, Brazilian beef tenderloin and grouper, and it has over 3,000 reviews on Tripadvisor. Walk-ins are virtually impossible. Book ahead by phone or WhatsApp (weeks in advance during peak season), and it's best to reconfirm your reservation. Prices are on the high side for the town.
Opening hours
Two sittings nightly: 18:30 and 20:45
Nearby sights
- Santa Maria Beach, Sal
- Santa Maria Pier (Pontão)
- Santa Maria Salt Pans
- Ponta Preta
- Kite Beach (Costa da Fragata)
- Serra Negra Nature Reserve
- Murdeira Bay
- Monte Leão (Lion Mountain)