RESTAURANTS

One of the things many people love about the Almancil area is the quality of local restaurants. In our view they are as good as any we’ve ever found other than in a major city. When arriving look for the “Central Algarve Magazine” which comes out in the spring, summer and winter of each year and is free from most hotels, retailers and restaurants. In the middle of the magazine there is a list of most of the local restaurants and a map of how to find them.

Obviously there are some very inexpensive restaurants in the hills although it is difficult to describe how to get to them and you may have to rely on exploration and word of mouth for these e.g. Au Ceu near Sante Barbara de Nexte. In addition there are a number of good restaurants where there is no need to book such Camillos (00 351 289 356 458), not to be confused with Don Camillo which isn’t as good. In addition a lot of people will congregate at the Melting Pot Pub at Quinta Shopping (the new part) or one of the new Irish bars there and enjoy a pizza at the Pizzeria San Marco next door or perhaps the local chinese. There is a nice square and a good place to start the day with excellent (and good value) coffee, croissants and people watching at Deli France near the Melting Pot.

However there are some excellent restaurants which get booked up well in advance and here is a list of these. We have not mentioned Sao Gabriel (Michelin star) as its not a favourite of ours. Much more detail is contained with the “Restaurant A-Z” at the house. The following are our favourites which definitely need to be booked up a few days in advance, particularly for busy periods which are of course Friday and Saturday nights for the non-beach restaurants and weekend lunches (especially in the summer) for the beach restaurants. Don't expect inexpensive meals in the Quinta region by the way though its not quite London prices. Also always be prepared to pay in cash as many restaurants, even away from the beach, don't take credit cards.

A Quinta (289 393 357)
This is a bistro restaurant run by English staff. Its extremely popular with locals and ex-pats alike. Its good value and hard to get into unless you book ahead. The food, lunch and dinner, is consistently good but if you do book don’t be late as if you do you’ll have to wait for ages.

Henrique Leis (289 393 438)
Like Pequeno Mundo its closed on a Sunday. It has a Michelin star. Quite French but slightly less formal than Ermitage. A small setting near A Quinta and really quite excellent.

Pequeno Mundo (289 399 866)
This restaurant is owned jointly by the chef (Guy) and Joaquim (who is front of house). It’s a lovely location and a good menu. It would certainly help to say that you are friends of ours when you go as we know the owners well and they often come round to our home. It’s a lovely restaurant in summer or winter.

Vincents (289 399 093)
Run by the ex-owners of Ermitage, Vincents is simply the best restaurant in town. Quite expensive but quite excellent food and less formal than Ermitage or Henrique Leis. It is on the site of the old Au Traditional that moved to Pequendo Mundo. Don't miss it.

On the beach ….

There are a number of beach restaurants but we would particularly recommend Izzys (289 396 984) next to Julias on the Dunas Douradas beach which is also good. We like the clams, hot tomato rice and often choose fish of the day or monkfish with pasta. Also Antonios (289 396 456) which is two doors down from that serves great fish and is open on Sundays and therefore very popular with the locals. These two restaurants are very close to the sea which makes them more fun. A more upmarket beach restaurant but extremely good is Dos Passos (289 396 435) which is near the other two beach restaurants mentioned but one “beach” away (towards Quinta). Dos Passos is on stilts and a spectacular venue. Finally there is the original Gigis which is just over the wooden bridge that leads from the Quinta de Lago Hotel. Its quite expensive and (like many of the beach restaurants) is cash only but the fish is quite excellent. However its difficult to simply “turn up” at any of these.

There are of course some likeable but less expensive restaurants eg Chicken Shack (Almancil Road towards Quaterra) or O'Rebeiro (Lude Valley Road) and lots of wonderful and cheap restaurants “in the hills”. However everyone will find their own favourite and because there are so many restaurants and a lot of competition the standard everywhere is fairly high. The same cannot really be said for the local wines. In case it helps however our favourites are Quinta de Carmo and Marquis de Borba (white) as well as Marquis de Borba and Pegos Claros (red). Once again however we are sure that you will find your own. Enjoy!