Café Encontro

Sal Rei, Cape Verde
+238 581 09 05
$$$ Cafe
(31 Reviews)

If you're visiting Sal Rei in Cape Verde and in search of a cozy spot to indulge in delightful food and great coffee, look no further than Café Encontro. This charming café has earned a reputation for its friendly atmosphere and a menu that caters to various tastes, making it a must-visit for locals and tourists alike.

Café Encontro offers a wonderful fusion of flavors with a focus on breakfast and brunch specialties, featuring a variety of freshly prepared dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Imagine starting your morning with fluffy pancakes that are just the right amount of sweet, or savoring a hearty breakfast that may include options accommodating dietary preferences like lactose-free, oat, or soy milk. Guests have raved about their vegan banana pancakes, a truly special touch from the owner, who goes the extra mile to ensure a memorable dining experience.

The café's ambiance is just as inviting as its menu. With thoughtful decorations—particularly for occasions like Valentine’s Day—it creates a warm and welcoming environment that enhances your dining experience. You'll feel right at home, whether you are a couple enjoying a leisurely brunch or a solo traveler seeking a quiet corner with an exceptional cup of coffee.

One visitor, Shanda Felix-Brown, praised the staff for their friendliness and helpfulness, noting that the breakfast was reasonable in price and quite decent. The experience improved on her second visit, showcasing the café's commitment to consistency and quality. Janet Taylor echoed similar sentiments, highlighting not just the food but also the friendly service and quality coffee that had her returning multiple times.

For those looking for an authentic culinary experience, Jonas Heinemann shared that even when the café had few guests, the service remained exceptional, culminating in a memorable dinner featuring fresh tuna carpaccio. This truly embodies the café's ethos—providing excellent service while serving delicious, freshly prepared meals.

Café Encontro isn't just a place to eat; it stands out as a community hub where you can gather and connect over great food. Customers have lauded the owner’s willingness to assist with local tours and hotel bookings, revealing a level of service that transcends typical café experiences. Whether you're popping in for a quick bite or planning a more leisurely meal, Café Encontro should definitely be on your list.

So, if you find yourself in Sal Rei, be sure to stop by Café Encontro at +238 581 09 05 for a delightful culinary journey. Enjoy great coffee, delicious food, and a delightful atmosphere—a perfect blend to enhance your stay in this beautiful island. You won’t regret it!

Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Quick bite
Small plates
Spirits
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Groups
Tourists
Payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Openings Hours

Monday

07:30 AM - 07:00 PM

Tuesday

07:30 AM - 07:00 PM

Wednesday

07:30 AM - 07:00 PM

Thursday

07:30 AM - 07:00 PM

Friday

07:30 AM - 07:00 PM

Saturday

07:30 AM - 07:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

31 Reviews
Shanda Felix-Brown

05 Oct 2025

Very friendly staff and also very helpful. We ate breakfast here twice during our stay in Boa Vista. Prices were reasonable and the breakfast was decent. The first time was better than the first. The pancakes were a little better and less burnt. But I definitely still recommend this restaurant.

Janet Taylor

13 Aug 2025

Nicely decorated for Valentine’s Day! Friendly, good coffee and good food. Three visits by us, recommended.

Charissa N.

30 Jul 2025

The best coffee place in Sal Rei! They make you fresh breakfast and lunch everyday, and even serve lactose-free/oat/soy milk. And especially for me the owner made vegan banana pancakes. She is the sweetest (she also arranged a local tour for me in Boa Vista AND helped me to book an hotel for the last night on the island). Excellent service and kind staff. Definitely recommend going there when you’re on the island :)

Aude LB

29 Jul 2025

Nice owner and good crepes and yogourt and brunch style options.

Jonas Heinemann

24 Jul 2025

It was a very nice experience. The service is super nice and friendly. Even though we were the only guest and already past opening hours we got an amazing dinner. We had the tuna carpaccio which was great and freshly cooked main dishes. It felt very authentic and cozy.

Rob

01 Jul 2025

Really surprised by the negative reviews. This is a real find that doesn't come up on the map automatically. Spotlessly clean, the cleanest cafe/restaurant in Sal Rei, with cold air fan on the ceiling and gleaming white floor tiles and absolutely no flies. Great selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner options all on the wall board so easy to order and lots of choice. I had the plate of the day - Feijoada (Brazilian bean stew) with Rice, which came quickly and was well prepared, perfect and very filling. Drinks from the fridge freezer served in ice cold glasses. Near the beach but very reasonable prices. The sort of place I will have confidence to go back to often.

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