Algarve Restaurant Tips by Bwana_Brown

Restaurant Name: Don't Know - Next Door to 'Hospedaria O Palazim'

As soon as we had checked into our accommodations after the long and hot drive from Lisbon, my wife and I headed next door to a big restaurant. Although it was just before 5 PM, only the owner was there. He soon served us up a cold beer and a glass of white wine to bring us to our senses! As a result of this early encounter, we decided to keep things simple and return there after we had finished our beach excursion at Monte Clerigo. Although it was about 8 PM by then, we noticed a couple of guys in white outfits sitting on the restaurant balcony as we walked up. I mentioned to Sue that 'maybe we will be putting the cooks to work' and, sure enough, as we entered, they rose up as well and entered by another door! One of them came over an offered us a great corner seat on their open balcony overlooking the hills separating the restaurant from the Atlantic Ocean. We had a great time chatting away and even spoke to the owner again when he also wandered over to see how his only customers were doing!

Favorite Dish: We had our phase book with us as the staff helpfully tried to explain their menu to us. In the course of our conversation, we mentioned that we would like something spicey, such as Piri-Piri powder with our meal and they said that it could be added to whatever we chose. As a result, both my Grilled Pork Chops and Sue's BBQ Chicken (E7 each) came seasoned with a dash of that. We nibbled away on the usual starters of olives, cheese and buns with our wine (E3 per half bottle), enjoying the evening airs as our food was prepared. A great meal to end off our first day on the road during our circumnavigation of Portugal ! The total cost without a tip was E23.15 (US$30)

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Directions: On route N120, left side as you descend the hill into Aljezur from the north.

Restaurant Name: Quinta de Sao Bento

On our descent from Mount Foia at about 5 PM, we decided to stop at one of the many restaurants that we noticed alongside the road as we had driven up. At the 800-m level, we pulled off onto a treed road that looked promising and it soon led to a parking lot beside a large white-washed building. There were no other cars there or anyone to be seen. Not to worry, I wandered in the front door and soon saw a lady working in the kitchen. Once she noticed me I mentioned that we would like to have a beer and a vinho verde. No problem, she led us through the building and out to a very nice patio at the back where we waited while she went off to see to our request.

Favorite Dish: It turned out that we had stumbled onto a former hunting lodge built for the Portugese Royal Family, located among the pine trees in the cool mountain air, not far from Monchique. This restaurant/hotel has a swimming pool, 5 guest rooms and an apartment and also caters to groups of up to 500 people. It was great sitting there admiring the views amid the shrubbery and flowers surrounding the patio. A short time later, a Swiss/Dutch couple arrived and we had a good old chat with them over the next hour. They mentioned that the restaurant has a set menu when you come to eat. You do not have a choice in your selection but their meals are famous for their authenticity to local recipes dating from the 1500s. These meals are not cheap!

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Phone: 282-912-143/700
Address: Estrada do Foia
Directions: At the 800-m level on the N265 leading from Monchique to Mt. Foia
Website: www.quintasaobento.online.pt

Restaurant Name: Pont'a Pe Bar

At the end of our second day in Aljezur we were ready for a solid meal after our drive south to Cape St. Vincent, Portimao, our southern beach, Monchique and finally Mt. Foia! We cruised around checking places out and eventually pulled onto a street that ran beside this restaurant. However, it was a one-way street that very quickly took us on past the restaurant and into the old section of Aljezur. Before we knew it, were were going up very steep and narrow cobbled streets that seemed to be turning into a maze with no escape! I was thankful for the tiny size of our Fiat Punto before we were done - we eventually came out the other side of town very high up, emerging at the Moorish castle ruins overlooking the town! Luckily we had visited there the day before so knew where we were and how to get back to town. On the next pass we pulled into the restaurant parking lot across the little brook and beside the supermarket!

Favorite Dish: See the next Tip

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Theme: Local

Phone: 282-998-104
Address: 16 Largo da Liberdade
Directions: Beside the bridge over the stream in the middle of Aljezur, close to the Supermarket

Restaurant Name: Pont'a Pe Bar

This restaurant had a much more intimate air than did our choice of the previous evening. The muted lighting with very nice background music and locals chatting away at some of the other tables made for a relaxed place to finish off our day! Once again, we were well looked after by the owner as he explained our possible choices on the menu. This restaurant had been recommended to us by a very pleasant young man, Bruno, who was running the local free internet cafe. We had stumbled upon this on our first night in Aljezur and were very pleased to get caught up on both the world and VT news for the first time since leaving Canada! The funny thing was, Bruno strolled into the restaurant to talk to the owner the evening we were there dining!

Favorite Dish: Sue ended up trying a very flavourful local Cod and rice dish served in a bowl while I had the more conventional grilled chicken pieces with french fries, lettuce and shredded carrots. The total cost including our drinks was E23 (US$30)

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter