Having been to Vale Do Lobo in Portugal every year since I was two, I thought this would be the year to go back to all my old favorites and see if they were as good as I remembered (as you can imagine a lot of food was consumed on this trip!).
Have a look through my top 8 faves and please feel free to comment!
Maria's Beach Restaurant - Praia do Garrão Poente, 8135-170 Almancil
This beach bar has been a large part of my life - a family favorite! I have watched it grow from a small shack on the side of the beach to the place it is today. The food at Maria's has always been fantastic, this has never wavered even though it has changed hands over the years. The menu is made up of traditional Portuguese beach front food, including chicken piri piri, an assortment of fish, cataplana and of course their famous Maris's rice! If you are a rice fan, you will thoroughly enjoy this dish in Portugal, however I must admit Maria's rice is by far my favorite (even though its not quite as good as when Maria herself used to make it!).
Priced reasonably, I would highly recommend a visit, after all there is nothing better than eating by the beach when you are on holiday!
www.mariasbeachalgarve.com
BJ's Restaurant - Rua do Poco Romano 8125, Portugal
Very similar to Maria's in many respects however BJ's has a slightly more relaxed vibe partly due to it being one of the few remaining original beach restaurants along the Algarvian coastline. The staff are extremely accommodating making the experience very relaxing and enjoyable. BJ's basically sits on the sand - pretty much all seating is outside and at night its lit up by small lights. I went for the first time this summer after many rave reviews from my family. Me and my 6 companions sat, drank wine and ate an assortment of delicious fish (my favorite was the grilled squid!) and were surprised when the bill arrived - this place is the meaning of good value for money! If your looking to jazz things up a bit head down on a Friday or Sunday lunchtime to enjoy some live music.
http://bjsoceanside.com/
Figueiral - Almancil, Portugal 8135-117
Not the prettiest of locations however the food is exceptional - best steak ive had in Portugal! Slightly off the beaten track its never heaving so you are always guaranteed attentive service and a table! My childhood favorite was steak on the stone which I always thought was such a fun concept! Nowadays it would be a sin not to have Picanha - a Brazilian specialty made up of roast rump and brisket of beef. It is accompanied by smaller dishes, including Feijoada (black bean stew), rice, veggies, tomato salad and weirdly enough, cooked banana, and the helpings keep on coming until the diner is unable to walk. to start i would recommend opting for the goats cheese dish, which comes paired with apple and walnuts - divine! This is a dish ive definitely tried to recreate on many occasion however it never seems to taste as good as it does at the Figueiral. A reasonably priced joint considering the quality of the food.
Paixa Restaurant - Quadradinhos Lote 52, Vale Do Lobo, 8135-034
Almancil
"A delight of Algarve's finest flavors served in intimate snacks" - a great way to describe Paixa. Set off the beaten track in a quite area of town, Paixa has a romantic feel to it - perfect for dinner if your on holiday with your other half. Lunch time is available however I would suggest going for dinner to get a proper feel for the joint - at night the candles really set the scene. The menu is vast offering a selection of hot and cold sharing plates which are all 'tapas' like - aka no need to cut things up! My recommendations would be the following: get the bread - its comes with a selection of jams, olive pates and lupins. I hadn't had a lupin before coming to Paixa - they are delicious! I would then go for the smoked duck breast, stuffed squid, oxtail coquettes, quails eggs with sausage black pork and oysters, however if this is not your tipple, everything on the menu is extremely tasty! Slightly more expensive than my suggestions so far but perfect if you want to treat yourself.
www.paixarestaurante.com
Eduardos - Vale do Garrao 8135, Almancil, Portugal
Another beach favourite of mine. Previously known as the Paradise Beach Bar (which sadly burnt down a few years back), Eduardo has rebuilt a fantastic establishment. The hot spot has been newly refurbished and, in addition, Eduardo has produced a brand spanking new Portuguese menu to accompany the new look. Like other beach restaurants along the Algarve, Eduardos serves a mixture of fish and meat accompanied by the famous north african inspired rice! Probably coming in second to Maria's, this rice is a extremely tasty and in my eyes accompanies any meal! Service with a smile, great few and beautiful views, there isn't anything to dislike about this place!
The Thai Garden at Sao Gabriel - Estrada Vale Do Lobo, 8135 Almancil
Set in beautiful gardens just off the main road to Vale Do Lobo, its a great place for dinner on a sunny evening! As you can tell from the title, the menu is made up of scrumptious
Thai treats which are prepared in front of your eyes. Its always fun to watch
the chefs cooking in view of the guests as they prepare tasty yet healthy
delights! The general decor mixed with the gardens gives this restaurant a relaxed atmosphere and
combined with the great food and friendly service its a great place to go if your looking for something a bit different. Good price point, great atmosphere!
Gourmet Natural - Apartado 3954 8135-018 Almancil
Dubbed as having the best South African steak in the Algarve (different to the Figueiral), for you meat eaters out there this should definitely be on your list of eatery's in the area. Great service and set in a great location, there is not much to dislike about this place. The restaurant has a relaxed and cosy feel to it, especially in the evenings. Last time I went, we all had different types of steak and each tried a different sauce, and there was not a complaint from any one around the table.. in fact we pretty much sat in silence throughout the meal, that's how good the food was! Perfect evening out for families or just friends.
www.gourmetnaturalrestaurante.com
Pequeno Mundo - Apartado 3618,8135-907, Almancil
Close to Vale Do Lobo, surrounded by trees and beautiful flowers you will find the traditional Algarvian property home of the "Pequeno Mundo". Probably the smartest (and most expensive!) of the restaurants I've mentioned. Spread between out door patios and indoor cosy rooms there is a lovely charm and sophistication to this place. In the winter, its nice to sit and relax by the fire while in the summer there is the option to sit among the flowers and star gaze. Pequeno Mundo specialises in French cuisine, however a large selection of both Portuguese and French wine is on offer to enjoy. This is probably my parents favorite restaurant in the Algarve - they are yet to have a disappointing meal and as a result of this I would highly recommend this place to anyone travelling to the region.
I hope you enjoy!
Bon Voyage x
