During our recent trip to Ponta Delgada, Portugal, we found great coffee at Dondue.
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Location
On the color-coordinated cobblestoned streets of Ponta Delgada (island of São Miguel in the Azores), Dondue is easily accessible by foot. While it is on a street open to cars there is no parking in front other than sparse sidestreet parking, it’s perfect for pedestrians but drivers will have to park and walk from many public parking areas nearby.
Address: R. do Melo 12, 9500-091 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Phone: +351 2966 29277
Hours: 8 AM to 7 PM (Monday through Friday) 9 AM to 7 PM (Saturday/Sunday)
Great Coffee
On our four-day stay in Ponta Delgada we tried a number of coffee shops but found ourselves returning to Dondue regularly because of the great coffee, excellent location, and reasonable prices.
For less than €2, I enjoyed a quick double espresso twice during our trip. On our last day, we opted to try a few others including iced coffees and a frappe. Iced coffees were under €4, and the frappe (with whipped cream) was just over €5.
The coffee was mild and rich and helped us beat jet lag as we were early in our trip. Service was fast and friendly. Part of the culture of the Azores, coffee in the Atlantic Ocean islands benefit from the rich volcanic soil and natural hot springs which aids in the growth of coffee plants.
Excellent Menu
On our final visit we ordered a pair of sandwiches, and a sausage that Portugal is famous for. A local bread, bolo levado, is sweet and has a similarity to an English muffin on the inside. The menu offers fillings for bolo levado as well as croissants with each filling varying in cost. slightly. All told, each of the pressed sandwiches we ordered were under €5 and satisfying.
Portugal is famous for its sausages and cooking them on a specialized pan with a well for vodka, lit to cook the sausage at the table with an incredible presentation. My Portuguese is poor and as such the sausage was served on the platter but not cooked as I found elsewhere on the island. I will be clear on our next visit that I would like it lit but it was great as a cold chorizo as well.
The restaurant also offered fresh squeezed orange juice which is not to be missed.
Conclusion
Coffee is plentiful and easy to find in Ponta Delagada on Sao Miguel but Dondue is highly recommended for visitors. The coffee was simply better than peers, prices are reasonable, and menu items were excellent and affordable. I highly recommend Dondue for your next visit to the Azores.
What do you think?
Matthew and Kyle sure like coffee .
Ponte Delgada is a gem. Don’t miss the incredible murals on quite a few building around the downtown, usually on side streets. Stop into the tourist office and they’ll direct you. I’m not talking about graffiti, this is top notch stuff. The whales are extraordinary. Some reminds me of Shepard Fairey but the works I like the most are much more subtle.
How difficult is it to get to Ponte Delgada
simple. Fly with Sata (air azores) or with TAP Sir Portugal.
Ponte Delgada is the capital of Sao Miguel. The typical landing spot for transatlantic routes. Do not forget to head in the Furnas, a town in a volcanic crator. The rivers run at 39C and the hot springs are delectiable.