Dining - off the beaten track!

There are little gems of restaurants away from the built up beach resort areas.  In this blog we'll describe a couple of our favourites and more importantly how to find them.

The first restaurant is Restaurante Casa de Pasto Fernanda E Campinas, but most people refer to it as Fernandas!  The address is: EM509 538Z, 8900 Manta Rota and the GPS coordinates are: Latitude: 37.223938 | Longitude: -7.570782. Telephone: +351 281 951 770

Tripadvisor does have reviews for this restaurant but the map in tripadvisor is way off.  You know you're in the right area if you're north of the A22 toll road and close to or seeing signs for Monte Rei Golf.

Fernandas does fabulous black pork.  Lomboinho de porco preto is the fillet steak of black pork – cuts like a fillet steak and is extremely tender.   If you want to try several cuts of black pork between 2 or more, they will serve you with secretes, plumas and lombinho.  Another option is a skewer of black pork which is a more manageable amount and comes with peppers and onions.  All of the above are char grilled and come with chips and salad.  If you like fish, their Sea Bream (Dourada) is excellent. Prices are very reasonable.  It gets busy in the Summer so either go early or reserve a table.

---

Restaurante Dom Rodrigo is the second hidden gem.  The address is: R. de Montinho, 8950 Altura. GPS coordinates:  Latitude: 37.196493 | Longitude: -7.512503.  Telephone: +351 281 956 505

This restaurant is north of the beach resort of Altura, situated next to the railway line from V.R.S. Antonio to Faro.  In fact, the restaurant appears to have been built in an old station house and the sound of the trains rattling by will make you jump the first time it happens. The food is excellent Portuguese cuisine and the service is very friendly.  The meat skewers are fantastic and the fresh fish dishes are also superb.  You can find a Tripadvisor review here.

On the occasions we've been there it has been very busy (both with locals and tourists) and we'd recommend ring ahead and making a reservation. ​

---