Forte Velho Restaurant – A lunch that tasted like a pause

We had just visited the Fortress of São Miguel, a place full of history and with stunning views over Luanda and after that, my husband asked if we wanted to try out a nearby restaurant. Of course, we said yes, we were starving!

It was the three of us: me, my sister, and my husband. As soon as we arrived, he asked if we’d prefer the indoor seating, it was spacious and cool with air conditioning. But my sister and I immediately said no. We wanted to sit outside. Even with the heat, it was worth it to enjoy the open air and that breathtaking view.

The space was rustic and peaceful, perfect for quiet conversations, slow bites, and those comfortable silences. We sat at a table with a view and to be honest, in my opinion, the best part of the fortress experience is actually the view over Luanda.

🍤 What we ate

My sister and I ordered the shrimp salad. It was fresh, colourful, and had that perfect balance between sea and earth: shrimp on crispy greens, avocado, and a light, refreshing seasoning. A simple dish, but really well done. And since I’ve noticed I’m gaining a bit of weight from showing you all these restaurants… the salad felt like the right call! 😅

My husband, always drawn to bolder flavours, went for the seafood skewer. And wow… what a dish! We actually ended up wishing we’d ordered the same. Not that our salad wasn’t good, it was, but that skewer looked amazing. Big, perfectly grilled pieces, with that smoky sea-and-fire aroma. Every time he cut another piece, we’d laugh… the smell alone was enough to make us hungry again.

⚡ Service & feeling

The service was super quick too, barely any waiting. Efficient and friendly, just the way I like it.

Time slowed down there. No one looked at their watch. We just enjoyed the food, the view, and each other. I really liked the place.

📍 Location: Inside São Miguel Fortress – Luanda

📞 Reservations: +244 946 125 858

🕒 Opening hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 12 PM to 12 AM

🍽️ Cuisine: Varied dishes, seafood, drinks and cocktails