Restaurante Marisqueira O Pitéu: "Al fresco seafood and meat dishes in Faro" Faro Restaurant Tip by SWFC_Fan

I ate at Restaurante Marisqueira O Pitéu one lunchtime during a short visit to Faro in January 2007.

This small local restaurant is located on the square of Largo Dr. Silva Nobre in the heart of Faro, just a two minute walk inland from the marina.

We were attracted to this restaurant as it offered a host of outdoor tables and, at the time of our arrival, they were bathed in bright midday sunshine. Coming from the UK, it isn't very often that I get to sit outdoors enjoying a meal and a beer - especially in January! - so this was too good an opportunity to miss.

A dozen or so dishes were displayed on a chalkboard outside the restaurant and, upon seeing us browsing the list of unfamiliar names, the waiter came over to explain what the various dishes were. Most of the dishes involved either grilled meats or fresh seafood (for which this part of the world in renowned). The waiter told us that he would do us a "special price", so we settled at one of the outdoor tables.

During the course of our meal, the waiter knocked over one of our beers while bringing food to the table. He then taught us the famous Portuguese proverb: "Alcohol on the tablecloth means a happy table!" Hmmm, or perhaps it just means a clumsy waiter! ;-)

Favorite Dish: I opted for:

Vegetable soup - Cost: 1.50 Euros

A small bowl of tasty soup which included a variety of vegetables and some hot chillis which gave it a bit of a kick. It was served with freshly baked bread and butter. The cover charge also included sardine paste (which tastes much better than it looks!) and a plate of cheese (small pieces of a hard and bitter-tasting cheese - the taste grew on me after a while!).

My friend opted for seafood soup (2.50 Euros), which contained a real mixture of sealife, complete with fish bones!

Chicken Piri-Piri - Cost: 9 Euros

I had tried chicken piri-piri on a previous visit to Portugal a few years earlier and on that occasion the spicy coating had blown me away. Chicken piri-piri at Piteu was a bit of a disappointment in comparison. The chicken pieces were nice enough, but more like fried chicken pieces from a fast food joint. The piri-piri coating had no kick to it at all. The portions were fairly generous, and the chicken was served with chips and salad.

Sagres beer - Cost: 2-3 Euros per 500ml

A nice setting in which to enjoy al fresco dining in the sunshine. A good choice of local meat and fish dishes - but a rather disappointing chicken piri-piri!

Address: Largo Dr. Silva Nobre, Faro
Comparison: about average
Directions: Located on a small square called Largo Dr. Silva Nobre, just a couple of minutes walk inland from the marina.
Phone: 289802064
Price: US$11-20
Rating: 3
Theme: Local