Ocean Café: Sensational For Its Good Music And Dance

Right in the heart of Santa Maria, facing the historic town square and just 50 meters from the beach, stands one of the important centres of local nightlife, Ocean Café. More than just a bar or restaurant, it’s where locals and tourists come together to chill, listen to live music, dance, enjoy food, and drinks.

Music Scene

Music makes Ocean Café special. Every night starting around 5 PM, the venue transforms into a live music hub featuring both local Cape Verdean artists and international performers. The musical lineup reflects the rich tapestry of Cape Verde’s musical heritage.

You’ll hear morna, the melancholic and soulful music that Cesária Évora made famous worldwide. These songs tell stories of love, longing, and the sea, accompanied by guitars, violins, and pianos. The café’s suites are even named after famous morna artists like Ildo Lobo and Tito Paris.

When the mood needs lifting, musicians switch to coladeira – the faster, more upbeat cousin of morna that gets people moving. And for those who want to experience the raw energy of Santiago Island, there’s funaná, played on accordions with infectious rhythms that fill the dance floor.

The DJs at Ocean also spin contemporary sounds, mixing afrobeats with international hits. After 10 PM, the energy picks up. The venue becomes a full-on dance party where the roof, as visitors say, “goes off.”

Dancing: Where Staff Are Performers

What sets Ocean Café apart from all other places on the Island is how the staff themselves are part of the entertainment. Servers don’t just serve drinks – they dance, teach customers traditional Cape Verdean moves, and create a fantastic atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to join in. Ibrahim, one of the dancers frequently mentioned by visitors, has become something of a local celebrity for his moves and friendly way of getting even shy tourists onto the dance floor.

The dancing isn’t forced or touristy – it’s genuine Cape Verdean hospitality expressed through movement. Staff members dance between tables, encouraging participation but never pressuring anyone. It’s this authentic cultural sharing that makes nights at Ocean memorable.

Food: From Pizza to Local Flavours

Ocean Café offers a mix of international cuisine and local Cape Verdean dishes. Their pizzas are particularly popular – wood-fired with fresh toppings and consistently rated as some of the best in Santa Maria. The kitchen also serves burgers, french fries, pasta, omelettes, and daily specials.

For those wanting to try local flavours, the menu includes Cape Verdean specialities. The restaurant serves nice and generous portions at reasonable prices, though some visitors note that you’re partly paying for the atmosphere and entertainment.

They offer breakfast options ranging from American-style pancakes with bacon and eggs to Cape Verdean breakfast featuring fresh goat cheese and cachupa (the national dish) with egg. The kitchen stays open late, and they even offer delivery service throughout Santa Maria from 6 PM to 11 PM.

Drinks: From Gin and Caipirinhas to Local Wines

The bar is well-stocked with both international and local options. Beer lovers can choose from several imported brands alongside local brews. The wine list is quite long and includes selections from around the world, including wines from Fogo, Cape Verde’s volcanic island known for its unique viticulture.

Cocktails are a speciality, with bartenders mixing everything from classic Manhattans to the local favourite caipirinha. Their mojitos get special mention from regular visitors. The bartenders know their craft and aren’t shy about creating custom drinks for adventurous customers.

Prices for drinks are moderate by Santa Maria standards – you’re paying for quality ingredients, skilled bartending, and the overall experience rather than just the alcohol.

The Atmosphere

Ocean Café works on multiple levels throughout the day. During daylight hours, it functions as a relaxed spot for remote workers (they have reliable free WiFi), coffee drinkers, and lunch crowds. The transformation begins in the early evening when live music starts.

The venue itself blends traditional Cape Verdean elements with modern design. The open facade draws people in from the square, while inside, the decor evokes local traditions without feeling like a tourist trap. Neon lights add energy to the evening atmosphere without overwhelming the space.

Located on Santa Maria’s main square rather than directly on the beach, Ocean Café serves as a cultural meeting point. It’s where you’ll find the most diverse crowd on the island – young locals, older Cape Verdeans, working nomads, and, of course, tourists from Europe and beyond.

Practical Information

Ocean Café opens every day of the year, making it a reliable option no matter when you visit. The venue includes not just the restaurant and bar but also six boutique hotel suites for those who want to stay right above the action.

Finding Ocean can be tricky for first-timers since it’s set back from the beach in a small square of bars, but most locals know it and can point you in the right direction. Just look for the illuminated “Ocean Cabo Verde” sign that acts as a beacon in the evening.

While it’s perfectly fine for a quiet meal or drinks during the day, Ocean Café comes alive after dark. For the whole experience, arrive around 8:30 PM when the live music is in full swing but before the late-night dance party takes over.

Why Ocean Café is Worth Visiting

In a tourist destination like Santa Maria, it’s easy for venues to become generic international spaces. Ocean Café has resisted this, maintaining its identity as a genuinely Cape Verdean establishment that happens to welcome tourists rather than a tourist bar trying to seem authentic.

The mix of music styles, the participation of staff in the entertainment, the blend of local and international food and drinks – it all creates an environment where cultural exchange happens naturally. You’re not watching Cape Verdean culture; you’re participating in it.

For many visitors, a night at Ocean Café becomes the highlight of their Cape Verde trip. It’s often where they first hear morna and learn to dance coladeira, taste their first proper caipirinha, and make friends with both locals and fellow travellers. In that sense, Ocean Café isn’t just a business – it’s Santa Maria’s living room, open to all who want to experience the warmth, music, and joy that define Cape Verde.

Bibliography / Sources

• Photos and Information: www.oceancaboverde.com;
• Ocean Cafe Restaurant Reviews on TripAdvisor;
• Ocean Cafe on Facebook.