Get DK Top Ten Travel Guides on your iPhone & iPod Touch!
The Moors called their al-Gharb the Sunset Land, and visitors have been waxing lyrical ever since. Blessed with a mild winter climate and a sunny disposition, Portugal’s playground province remains one of the most popular year-round holiday destinations in southern Europe. Lively coastal resorts spill over ribbons of golden sand in sharp contrast to the quiet villages of the hinterland, where history and tradition go hand in hand.
Folk dancers
-
Order theensopado de borrego a pastora (lamb stew shepherdess’ style) for a real taste of the Alentejo.
-
Sweeping terrace views in one of Portugal’s most beautiful mountain villages makes dining here a real treat. Thebifes de vitela (veal steaks) are highly recommended.
-
Theensopado de cabrito (kid stew) is a house speciality at this wonderfully provincial restaurant, which overlooks Fonte Benémola and a lovely old church.
-
Chic beachfront eatery with great ocean views. Seafood and fish eaten al fresco doesn’t get better than this
-
One local describes this much-loved restaurant as “an ocean under one roof.” The menu bursts with catches such as freshbesugos (mullet).
-
MONCARAPACHO. These are places where we have enjoyed a meal, or trusted friends have recommended -
ANTONIO’s (also known as the Internet Cafe.) This has a fairly plain bar at the front, but it is well worth trekking through to the back where there is a very nice air conditioned restaurant. The Prato do Dia (lunch time menu) is very good value with a main course priced around 6 euros. Don’t be surprised if the locals get served first, they’re the workers and have to get back to their jobs! The evening menu is more extensive and a little more expensive, but still good value.
COLIBRI : Also known locally to some as “Danny’s” : Once again you need to work your way through the bar to the restaurant with it’s closely packed tables, in the summer there are more tables outside in the street. Most people have to try the steak on a stone, which is becoming world famous, and proclaim it to be “the best I’ve ever had”. Don’t be shy, wear the bib.
THE BISTRO : Most of the dishes have an Italian flavour. They have a small terrace for outside eating, and will do a takeaway pizza.
ANNA's BAR : Good local cooking, with ouside tables in the Church square.
-
Horta ,
Good basic Portuguese cooking. Ribs for around 5 euros, tenderloin for 12 and a jug of house red for 5. The service tends to be a bit relaxed; which probably accounts for the queue outside!
O Bote,
This is just few metres away from Horta. A basic Portuguese restaurant serving simple, wholesome food. There will be a lot of locals sampling the fresh fish and the Porco Preto (black pork).
Rio Formosa Snack Bar
This is on the other side of the road. It serves basically the same food as the others but is further away from the road and has more outside tables. In the summer queues form to get a table.
Armador
This is also called Catedral do Marisco, Cathedral of seafood. If you want lobster and prawns then this is one of the best places to go to. Fairly modern inside - it has a pool where the lobsters live!
-
ESTOI.
V TERRA
Food with a flair! The restaurant is spread over 3 floors including a roof terrace but is quite small and intimate. Prato do dia is excellent value.
OLHAO.
Horta ,
Good basic Portuguese cooking. Ribs for around 5 euros, tenderloin for 12 and a jug of house red for 5. The service tends to be a bit relaxed; which probably accounts for the queue outside!
O Bote,
This is just few metres away from Horta. A basic Portuguese restaurant serving simple, wholesome food. There will be a lot of locals sampling the fresh fish and the Porco Preto (black pork).
Rio Formosa Snack Bar
This is on the other side of the road. It serves basically the same food as the others but is further away from the road and has more outside tables. In the summer queues form to get a table.
Armador
This is also called Catedral do Marisco, Cathedral of seafood. If you want lobster and prawns then this is one of the best places to go to. Fairly modern inside - it has a pool where the lobsters live!
TAVIRA.
Abstrato
This restaurant is situated in the old part of town, down a narrow street. The food might best be described as French Fusion! Imaginatively presented on large plates, there are tables in the (vehicle free) street in the summer. Dishes range from garlic duck to spinach trench with roast pumpkin.
O Patio.
Almost next door to Abstrato it is stretched over 3 floors. Booking is needed if you would like to sit on the roof terrace. Slightly up market Portuguese cooking.
A Ver Tavira
Nothing basic here! Superb food, wonderfully presented with good service. The degustation menu, 5 courses for around 35 euros, is a special treat.
If you want a table on the terrace, overlooking the town, you will have to book.
Vincent’s.
This is just outside Tavira in the little village of Santa Lucia. A little tricky to find as it’s tucked up an alleyway, but worth the effort. Vincent is French and, justifiably, proud of his excellent food. Try the local red wine from Fuzeta.
Chicken Louis
After all those; back to reality. This is where the Sao Bras locals go for lunch. Basic chicken and chips with a token salad for less than 4 euros! There are a few other things on the menu, but most people go for chicken and chips. After 12:30 you may have to queue. Closed Mondays & September.
-
Ria Formosa, a true sanctuary of nature. Privileged place to observe birds, by being a migratory corridor containing some of the last places in the Europe for some birds to make nests, Ria Formosa is visited annually by about 30 thousand birds from different spices.
http://www.sequatours.com
-
A trip upstream along the slumbering Guadiana, passing the Reserva Natural do Sapal. Lunch at Foz de Odeleite and music and wine on return.
-
Restaurant price categories
For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
-
Advertisement
-
-
TobinDane's Seattle guide
TobinD
-
tamunshen's Chicago guide
tamuns
-
Berlin guide
skrams
-
-
-
London guide
pukank
-
Merry in Madrid
travel
-
New York festivities
travel
-
Christmas in Vienna
travel
-
Washington, D.C. guide
michae
-
![[+]](/images/button-addtoguide.gif)
symbol, to start adding attractions to your
tailor-made travel guide.
