Those of you that live out here permanently, are probably far more absorbed into Portuguese life than we "part timers", but the last few weeks we have started to drive inland, and discover the local village restaurants, where the Portuguese seem to enjoy having a relaxed, and excellent Sunday lunch.

Our venturing has taken us up into the hills behind Silves, and up toward Messines and the Barragem.

I know this area is home territory for members like, Blue, but driving up through the orange groves, along undulating, winding country roads is a treat in itself.
To find a really boring looking restaurant, but with 10 or more cars outside, is an invitation to join with locals and eat what they eat.

Todays offering near the village of Grigorius was typical. A bar with the restaurant downstairs. Plain tables with paper table cloth, and the inevitable Portuguese football match on the TV.

The menu was fixed price (10 euros a head), and chalked up on a blackboard above the bar.
The starter just bread, oil and olives.
The main was what I would call country kitchen cooking. Black pork done in the oven, and 4 Portuguese stews, based on lamb, pork, potatoes and beans.
The wine, a litre of vin de mesa, served in a jug. Well drinkable though.
Dessert the usual Portuguese fayre of creme caramel, creme nata and pears in red wine.
All that, including wine and coffee????
10 euros a head.

Everybody was friendly. You get the feeling that the locals appreciate you tearing yourself away from the ritzy tourist traps, and , visiting their Portugal.

The more I see of this country.....the more I love it.

Sounds perfect - we did it once years ago but since living here - we haven't.

Time to rethink why we moved here in the first place - especially this time of year

Glad to hear you are enjoying North of the EN 125

The road up to monchique offers similar luch places - wiht the accent on pir-piri - excellent places with beatiful views.

We happened onto one of these Sunday family lunches at the restaurant by the old bridge in Silves, Ponta Roma. It was packed with Portuguese families having lunch after church. A limited menu but something for everyone. Must venture on out- thanks Bruce!

YES get out there and look for places away from the coast there are many all serving good wholesome portugese food especially on the road up to Monchique on the right hand side half way up are two restaurants next to each other both very good we especially like the second one as you can buy ham off the bone to take home, they have the whole legs hanging down from the ceiling in the bar area with a large restaurant and log fire in the back for those chilly days, very busy on a sunday although we have never had to book yet. BE BRAVE AND EXPLORE MORE sorry cant remember the name but this particular restaurant has a yellow awning out side with car park across the road and a small one nextdoor.

I know the place you mean.....but no....get more adventurous......the Monchique road is still very much on the tourist trail.

follow the road through the mountains to the west coast then there are one or two places on the way

If you carry on past Monchique a few miles, there's a little place on the right that does great meals. Very rustic and the bar is full of local workmen.

the village of Grigorius where is that sounds interesting

VON VON wrote:the village of Grigorius where is that sounds interesting

Erhhhhh...........

Take the N124 out of Silves toward Messines. (Thats over the bridge to Silves, but turn R away from Silves)
Carry on 7km until the sign left toward the Barragem. Go down there until you come to a village. Turn hard right opposite the restaurant. Grigorious is on that road after a village that sounds like "Canestan".
If you take the first very hard left, almost back on yourself, just after Grigorios, and go a couple of Ks you come to a T junction. Turn right there....there is a restaurant about 2K on the right, and another a further 2 K, this time on your left.
The 2nd one does roast suckling pig, Tuesdays and Sundays.
The first is where we ate last Sunday.

thanks Bruce may give it a go when we are out for christmas and new year otherwise in March

[quote="VON VON"]thanks Bruce may give it a go when we are out for christmas and new year otherwise in March[/quote

If you are out in March, give me a shout.....and we will show you the way

will keep that in mind Bruce have a good christmas and new year