Vila Nova

[shanagarry]

I believe this little restaurant is worth both a mention and a visit - it serves great fish (and meat) in pleasant surroundings around the pool and at very sensible prices.

We have been coming to Cvo for 27 years and never knew of this place but having been there three times in the last month - we have found it to be excellent value for money. Clearly it attracts the holiday makers that use Vila Nova but not in large numbers and the service is personal and prompt.

Their freshly prepared Sea Bass and Golden Bream in a tomato based sauce is exquisite as is their Portuguese Steak.

Try it

[fmm]

Lots of people on here recommend Vila Nova. I eat there as often as I can. I went on the recommendation from lots of people on the website and when I arrived, was alarmed to see that it looked to be a pool side bar. How wrong was I?!!!
I also love my fish being filleted at the table for me - one of the few places in Cvo that does it without being asked.
Never had a bad meal there - just wish it were within walking distance.

[shanagarry]

While I like fish - I have a fear of their bones and on the three occasions we have been - each time having fish - I had an average of 3 bones. That's not bad.

It is within walking distance for us and I am looking forward to seeing how it works in the winter. They close from November to January but I suspect it will be a nice cosy place

[tricky]

I know I am biased as our place is at vila nova, but having been to the restaurant loads, in groups and just with the family, it never fails to impress. When I go out alone during the winter its a really comfortable place to eat and always friendly

[EMM]

We must have walked past half a dozen times on every visit to CVO and were also put off by its pool bar appearence.
Must give it a try next time.

[shanagarry]

EMM - you won't be dissappointed.

My initial take was that it would be full of noisy holiday makers - eating fast food accompanied by loud music and swigging beer while jumping into the pool and traipsing wet feet all over the place. I couldn't have been more wrong. We live nearby and in the month we've been here have been there three times and never experienced anything but a pleasant ambience and great food.

One word of warning though - on Wednesday nights - Vila Nova holiday makers on their last night are thrown in the pool by the waiters. Apparently it's a long standing tradition and we witnessed one such event - but it was all in good taste and there was no unpleasantness

[tricky]

Never seen that I must admit as people's 'last night' tends to be different.
Must look out for it though, there is always a friendly atmosphere and during the summer
there are many people who come year after year.

[ncook]

Sounds interesting - where is Vila Nova then?

[Canada]

We stay really close to Vila Nova and I know that Tricky always recommends it, so we will certainly give it a try this winter.

[shanagarry]

The only event we witnessed was the father in a family of 4 - this was their 8th year staying at Vila Nova - eating there every night bar Sunday (its closed). We went again this Wednesday but there was no such ritual - in fact it was very quiet.

When we arrived on our second visit our 6 year old Grand-daughter asked 'why is that man eating his dinner with armbands on'? He heard her and explained the tradition and that he could not swim and was wary that he was likely to end up in the pool like all 7 previous years - he was so right.

It was all done in good fun and gave our Grand-daughter something to tell her parents and everybody else she met

[nikki bonnick]

I have been going to vila Nova for the last 15 years, as expressed my many people this restaurant never fails to deliver. There is always a friendly atmosphere, and we always find the food and service exceptional. Looking forward to going back in a couple of weeks for nice weather and happy people.

[Sandy]

Ohhh talking about it makes me feel so homesick! Its our ritual that as soon as we arrive we go over there for dinner.... always golden bream and lots of vino, served with a warm welcome from Anibal.

[shanagarry]

I'm amazed - given all the positive feedback on here - why it has never featured before? Don't tell me - you wanted to keep it all to yourselves - it's not surprising as it really does 'tick all the boxes'.

We'll probably struggle to get a table now

[fmm]

It's been discussed loads of times - as I said, that is how I visited it in the first place!