Archives for Where to eat
Lagar do Alva Restaurant (Arganil)
In Central Portugal, by the banks of the Alva River, we find the authentic and traditional flavors of this region. It was at "Lagar do Alva" Restaurant, located in Côja, in the astonishing municipality of Arganil, that we embarked on this culinary journey today. For the less observant traveler, while…
Restauração Restaurant (Vila Viçosa)
Vila Viçosa has a wide variety of options in terms of restaurants. With some casual suggestions and others more traditional and formal, we tried to visit different restaurants to learn about the gastronomic diversity of the region and also to help, albeit symbolically, these businesses that have faced so many…
Casa Nostra Restaurant & Pizzeria (Santa Cruz – Madeira)
Today is a day to relax. Spending the last moments in Madeira, we dedicated the last day on the island to the city of Santa Cruz and it was on a short walk along the ocean coast, that we stopped at Casa Nostra Restaurant & Pizzeria. Located in a prominent…
O Casco Restaurant (Machico – Madeira)
"O Casco" restaurant is located in the center of Machico, very close to the bay and the beach. Today we chose not to dine in the apartment, our headquarters during this stay in Madeira, and we chose a restaurant nearby so that we didn't waste much time. We all need…
Fajã dos Padres Restaurant (Câmara de Lobos – Madeira)
We don't know if it's humanly possible to find words to describe all the sensations aroused in our senses by this meal in Fajã dos Padres restaurant. We will try. It's becoming increasingly difficult to find genuine, fresh and aromatic flavors such as those cultivated in the fertile and fertilizer-free…
Centro Comercial da Sé Restaurant (Funchal – Madeira)
In the historic center of Funchal, near to Sé (Mother Church), we discover the Centro Comercial da Sé Restaurant. With a huge terrace on one of the busiest streets in the city, we were surprised by the pleasant atmosphere we enjoyed while tasting some of the regional delicacies. A restaurant…
Tibino, Snack House – Foz do Arelho (Caldas da Rainha)
Sun, a terrace, good company and a table with good snacks. We don't need much to be happy. At "Tibino" restaurant, in Foz do Arelho, we find all this and a lot more. In this restaurant we eat also with our eyes and besides the quality in the preparation of…
Quinta do Caceiro (Figueira da Foz)
Quinta do Caceiro Restaurant received us at a late hour, on the southern shore of "Lagoa da Vela" (Vela Lagoon), in Bom Sucesso. It was weekend and the room was full, which is always a good sign, after all it was "Sopa da Pedra" (Stone Soup) and Portuguese Stew day.…
Rabacal Nature Spot Cafe (Calheta – Madeira)
Rabacal Nature Spot Cafe is an obligatory stop when hiking PR6 - Levada das 25 Fontes, in Calheta, Madeira Island. Whether to have a coffee and drink some water before starting the route, or to recover the energy on arrival, after traveling around 10km (round trip) along the "levada". That's…
Dux Taberna Urbana (Coimbra)
"Dux Taberna Urbana" is located in downtown Coimbra, right in the heart of the student city. Well decorated and with a menu full of surprising tidbits invites us to have a good time with our family or friends in a selected and quiet ambience. A menu full of surprising tidbits.…
LC2 Bar (Funchal – Madeira)
By the suggestion of a friend who, for some years to this part, left the mainland for the island of Madeira, we find the LC2 Bar right in the center of Funchal to eat some snacks. The conversation, with the stories of those who hadn't seen each other for too…
Panoramik Ocean Restaurant (São Vicente – Madeira)
Walking increases the appetite and after visiting the Caves of São Vicente, we found the Panoramik Ocean Restaurant in Sitio do Calhau, São Vicente. A two-storey space with buffet on the 1st floor. The very affordable prices and the variety of the menu make this the ideal spot for those who…
Aníbal Tapas (Funchal – Madeira)
On a urban hike to the discover the old area of Funchal, we needed a break to strengthen the stomach. We didn't want to waste a lot of time and therefore a place to eat some regional snacks would be awesome. At the end of Santa Maria street, one of…
Muralhas Bar, Caniçal (Machico – Madeira)
Caniçal is a small village on the eastern side of Madeira, between Machico and "Ponta de S. Lourenço". Next to the bay that bathes the village we found Muralhas Bar, a humble space, with a simple and rustic decoration marked by nautical motifs and wide wooden benches that accompany almost…
Profresco – Fish Market & Restaurant (Peniche)
We found on the "Estrada Marginal Norte" (North Shore Road) in Peniche a different concept than usual. On one side of the building is a fish market where fresh fish and seafood coexist side by side on ice-covered marble benches. On the other side a restaurant with a contemporary decor…
Restaurant Itália (Coimbra)
Next to Mondego banks we find the Restaurant Italia, in the city of Coimbra, cradle of history and traditions. With a privileged location in the Dr. Manuel Braga Park, it has a clear view to Santa Clara and to the tranquility of the river waters born in Estrela and flowing…
“O Robalo” Restaurant (Sabugal)
In "O Robalo" Restaurant at Sabugal, grilled food are the kings and their throne an imposing fireplace where they rest on a huge iron grill. Here, in full view, they are made right on time, no more or less, so that succulent and tasty food enrich the tables of a…
Gastrobar Acrópole (Figueira da Foz)
Gastrobar Acrópole is located in Figueira da Foz, more precisely a few tens of meters from Casino Figueira, in Bairro Novo, a noble area of the city. With a privileged location, this space has been recently renovated, receiving new blood through a young management and a new "dressing", both in…
Maranho Festival (Sertã)
Passing by Sertã during July we found the village in celebration. It's time for the Maranho Gastronomy Festival. A stop for a coffee in the early morning went on until lunchtime to taste some delicacies served in the various exhibitors of the park by the riverside. Of the many proposals…
“Sabores de Guidintesta” in Belver (Gavião)
In the beautiful village of Belver, where the Castle looks at the Tagus river from the top of the valley, the Restaurant "Sabores de Guidintesta" offers us a homemade cuisine and regional flavors in an unpretentious space. Here the Alentejo gastronomy has a prominent place but we also find other…
“O Lavrador” Restaurant – Junça (Almeida)
Those who leave Almeida and take the road N332 towards Vilar Formoso, soon find the extinct parish of Junça. Here next to the road "O Lavrador" restaurant resists to time and isolation. When arriving, it's difficult not to remember the movie "From the Dusk Till Dawn" (1996), by the director…
Casa do Lagar Miradoyro Restaurant in Jueus (Tondela)
In Serra do Caramulo, more precisely in Jueus village, I found "Casa do Lagar Miradoyro", a restaurant where traditional Beira Alta cuisine (and not only) is valued in a tasty and well-prepared dishes. The restaurant room, with a simple and sober decoration, invites you to contemplate the mountains and the…
Tirol Restaurant (Pombal)
Tirol Restaurant is located on Ansião Street, number 15, very close to Pombal Castle. This was the main reason for choosing this two floors family restaurant to eat on the day of the climb to the castle. On our arrival, the sheer number of clients waiting for a table could…
Caçarola 1 Restaurant (Figueira da Foz)
During a visit to Figueira da Foz, whether for a walk or for a few days of vacations, there are many options to spend a good time at a dinner table. We can choose to eat a portuguese traditional meal or on the other hand, we can choose a simple well-made snacks…
Number 77 is a restaurant in Lavos (Figueira da Foz)
Number 77 of Santa Luzia Road in Lavos, county of Figueira da Foz, is reserved for those who seek a simple and honest meal. Behind a discreet door, in a modest house, we find a space where less is more, decorated with small details of refinement and modernity. The kitchen of…
Italy with sea flavor (Cascais)
The "Walking from Carcavelos Beach to Oeiras Marina" was almost over and it was time to meet with some friends at the lunch table. We combined the meeting in Capricciosa, next to Carcavelos Beach. It seemed to be the most appropriate place considering the presence of children in the group…
Quality, Taste and Tradition (Ponte de Sor)
Restaurant Olivença in Ponte de Sor was full of people when we got there. Usually it's a good sign. Despite the full house we were served quickly, with the friendliness and warmth typical of a family environment. With a discreet façade, near the city's Municipal Market, it was the perfect…
Mussels of Good Friday (Figueira da Foz)
From a young age I remember the mussel harvesting tradition in the village of Buarcos, Figueira da Foz, during the week before Easter. Whether it's a rainy or a sunny day, the rocks that tear the sea from Buarcos to Cape Mondego fill with people in the empty tide, looking…
Aveiro Flavours (Aveiro)
Aveiro is a living city, on the streets we feel a contagious joy and the colorful "moliceiros" of "Ria de Aveiro" gladden everyone who visit the city. But a visit to Aveiro wouldn't be complete without a tasting of traditional flavors. At Zeca, before or after a moliceiro ride, we…
Taste Corvo Sea (Vila do Corvo – Corvo)
The discovery of the hiking trails of Corvo Island wouldn't be complete if I didn't find out also some snacks made with fresh products from the sea. At Traineira Restaurant, near "Porto da Casa" (port), I found a place with family environment and with honest and unprejudiced food. Here, everyone knows each other and…
Rump in Wood-fired Oven (Lajes das Flores – Flores)
Rump in Wood-fired Oven is a typical dish of traditional Azorean Cuisine. The recipe differs between the various islands and in Flores Island, after a short walk, it was in Aldeia da Cuada that I had the opportunity to taste this delicacy and I can assure that is delicious. After 4…
“Francesinha” on Gaia’s riverside (Vila Nova de Gaia)
Stroll the Douro's margins, go through Gaia's quay, across D. Luis I Bridge and embroiled me in Porto`s riverside are more than enough reasons to increase my appetite for lunch. Being in this region, the obvious choice would be a regional dish, perhaps the best known together with "Tripas à…
Cockles from Nazaré
The town of Nazaré is now internationally known for its "cannon", a submerged canyon of tectonic origin, located off its coast which causes the formation of a huge size waves, the "giant waves" of Nazaré. These makes the delights of the bravest surfers and attract to this village in the Leiria…
“Pichas” from my homeland
"Pichas", also known in some regions as "camarinha" are a small shrimp, a delicious snack virtually unknown in Portugal but much appreciated, for example, in Spain. It is perhaps one of the best kept secrets of our cuisine and transports me immediately to the times of my childhood in Buarcos,…
Portuguese stew seasoned with Rio Maior salt
On a rainy day and after hiking the PR1 RMR - Marinhas de Sal I looked for a restaurant or a snack that arouses my attention, to recover the energy lost in the walk. At the beginning of the Salinas Road, the first restaurant on the right, I found a sheet…
Natário’s Berliners
If you going to visit Viana do Castelo and forgotten to eat the Natário's Berliners is about the same as going to Rome and not seeing the Pope, going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower, go to "Geres" and stay in the car, go to "Trás-os-Montes" and not eat a…
Warmth at the table
It was after covering part of the "PR9 VCT – Trail of the Water Pipes" that I went to Viana do Castelo to comfort the stomach. It's already passed the 2 pm and near the fishing port I found the Santos Restaurant where I still managed one table. The friendliness with which I was received made…
Refinement with one foot in the sand
For comfort the stomach before or after hiking the "PR7 VCT – Paçô Fort Trail – Carreço Trails (Viana do Castelo)", I found at Carreço Beach the Restaurant Areia. Located on the sand and with a terrace oriented to the sea, this small space combines the quality of a fine gastronomy, with a privileged…
Toast with olive oil for breakfast
For breakfast at Quinta Rota d'Oliveira, on Rendufe village, where I hike the hiking trail "Discover Rendufe" I savor among other delicacies, a delicious toast with oil that filled me measurements. A homemade bread with locally produced olive oil, is the proof that sometimes the simplest things are the ones that…
Rendufe’s Cheese
If you passed by Valpaços municipality, either for pleasure or for professional reasons, do not miss visiting Rendufe. This small place next to "Santa Maria de Émeres" still has activity in a traditional cheese dairy and oil mill. The final product of any one of them is delicious. You can walk the Hiking…
In Vidago, “Fernando” is synonymous with pizza
After completion of the Hiking trail from Vilas Boas to Oura I took a little "jump" to Vidago, just next door, to prove the pizzas of Fernando's Pizzaria. If the route is done from Oura to Vilas Boas, we can recover the energy lost in Quinta do Olival Restaurant's in Vilas Boas, open…
“Alheira” and octopus in “Trás-os-Montes”
After covering the hiking trail "From Samaiões Farm to the Sr. dos Aflitos Chapel" in Paradela da Veiga and Samaiões, in Chaves municipality, it was in Rural Hotel "Casa de Samaiões", I regained energy. At the table, a sausage and octopus accompanied by the splendid landscape of "Trás-os-Montes" provide a…
Limpets with a view to the islet
In Vila Franca do Campo, in the Azorean island of Sao Miguel, was in good time I found the restaurant "O Jaime". Overlooking the fishing port, this was the ideal place for lunch before meeting the islet of Vila Franca. First came a limpets in butter sauce and garlic, followed…
“Furnas” and its “Cozido”
I could not make the hiking trail PRC6SMI – Lagoa das Furnas without eating the famous "Cozido das Furnas". The Tonys Restaurant was recommended by the owner of a cafe where I stopped to take shelter from the rain that fell however in flood. I called immediately to book a…
Sardines overlooking the Guadiana
After finalizing the PR3 - The Charms of Alcoutim it was time for lunch and I found the perfect space next to church "S. Salvador". On the terrace of "The Restaurant Soeiro" a table in the shade, on a day of extreme heat, is waiting for me. Right there, the Guadiana river…
Largemouth bass in Foz de Alge
In Figueiró dos Vinhos municipality, more specifically in the village of "Foz de Alge" there is a restaurant whose specialty is fish from the river. In this place where "Albufeira de Castelo de Bode" begins to take shape, we found a restaurant called "Baião", which was presented to me at…
Ramona burger, what else?
At "Cafe Ramona" in Aveiro, it is served one of the best burgers in the country. It is a fact. It was from the university days when, just before two in the morning, we made a "pause in the studies" for tucking the stomach with a snack, that I was…