Dining/Shopping

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dining

Below is a selection of restaurants tried and tested by members of the Palmyra Club team and all highly recommended.!

 

Restaurante Malveiro – Almancil (917824131).  You are assured of a warm welcome and big smile from the owner of this family friendly restaurant.  Situated just outside Almancil in the Loule direction you can sit in the conservatory section or the more intimate inner dining area.  The prawn and chicken curries are delicious and for the more adventurous try the gigantic Mozambique prawns.  If you can eat more than two you will be doing well.  Allow €20-30 per person.

Grissino Restaurante – Almancil (289 356562).  An excellent Italian restaurant located in the centre of Almancil, just opposite the Post Office.  It is worth a visit just for the Asparagus with parma ham and parmesan cheese starter.  Allow €30 per person with wine but the three course lunch for €10 is a real bargain.  It is not a large restaurant, so it is always safest to book in advance for the evenings.  A sophisticated restaurant it is not the kind of place where the children can run around while you are waiting for your food (and there are no pizzas).

A Floresta – Almancil (289 393086). This is one of several Indian restaurants in the area for those who may be missing a good curry.  Situated between Vale do Lobo and Almancil I have yet to be disappointed.  The menu will be very familiar to lovers of Indian food.  Takeaways and home delivery are also available.  There are better Indian restaurants in the area but they are far more expensive.  A Floresta is good value and the food is every bit as good as you will get in a UK high street.

Oscars – Vila Sol (289 308828).  This British/Irish style pub is part of the new commercial centre at the entrance to Vila Sol.  It will be of particular interest to those staying in Palmyra and Vila Sol.  There is a very extensive menu of ‘pub grub’ with most main courses under €10.  There are seats outside, including in the garden area at the back, and there is also an open air balcony upstairs.  Sky sports means that it can get crowded when there are major sports events.  There are special themed nights, such as Halloween, and different entertainments on certain evenings of the week like the pub quiz on Mondays and live music at the weekend.

Rodizio a Brazil – Almancil (289 395547).  www.rodizio-cheers.com.  Brazilian restaurant as you leave Almancil on the way to Quarteira (and Vila Sol).  It is also known as ‘Cheers’.  Carnivores will love the house speciality, Rodizio, which at the time of writing is €22.  A self service salad bar is followed by wave after wave of meat options brought to your table.  It took 15 minutes before I could see my plate again and that was only after I told them to stop bringing more meat.  Live shows on certain evenings makes this one of the areas more exotic dining experiences.  A large restaurant with many long tables it can hardly be described as intimate.

Pizza Pasta Fantasia – Quinta do Lago (289 394080).  Tucked in amongst the shops and businesses of Buganvilia Plaza, next to Quinta Shopping, this is an ideal place for families.  Allow around €20 per head in the evenings but look for the special tourist and lunchtime menus for value.  Pizza’s are around the €10 mark.  There is both indoor and outdoor seating.

Fat Frog – Almancil (289 393301).  This is a curious combination of pub and restaurant.  In the front is a bar that is very plain and reminiscent of a high street pub throughout the UK and Ireland.  At the rear is an intimate restaurant that serves the most delicious food.  It is excellent value, like two courses for €20, but certain options such as fillet steak do carry a supplement.  Wine starts at around €15 per bottle.  The quality of the food is consistently high and I have never been disappointed.  The restaurant is not large so it is better to book.

Marufo- Almancil to Quarteria road

A local restaurant famous for chicken and chips, also serving fresh locally caught fish at great prices.

 

Alambique-Between Vale Do Lobo and Quinta Do Lago

Serves Portuguese and International cuisine and fish is the speciality. Highly recommened 

 

Willies Restaurant-Next to the new Hilton hotel

A one Michelin star restaurant serving International cuisine in a refined atmosphere.

 

Don Alfonso-Vilamoura marina

A well know restaurant famed for its steaks and local fresh sea food.

 

O' Casteiro- Vilamoura marina

Probably one of the best well known fish and sea food restaurants in the area, Booking is essential.

 

Maharaja Indian- Vilamoura

Genuine and authentic Indian cuisine with over a 100 great dishes to choose from.

 

Zu-Yi Chinese restaurant- Vilamoura

One of the most popular Chinese restaurants in the area offering a five star service and fantastic food. Booking is essential.

 

 

 

 

Shopping

 

Vilamoura:

Around the marina at Vilamoura is a great choice of shops including many designer boutiques including Hugo Boss, Armani, Lacoste and other famous brands.

 

Algarve Shopping Centre:

Situated only 15 minutes drive from Vilamoura is the Algarve shopping centre which offers a great selection of shops, restaurants and a bowling alley.

 

Quinta Do Lago shooping:

Situated at the entrance to the exclusive resort of Quinta Do Lago offering luxury brand boutiques including Max Mara, Armani and various other independent stores.