Olitoral - Lagoa

After visiting the Algarve for several years this restaurant has always been a favourite and one we always visit when on holiday in Portugal but this time was such a massive disappointment. When we first started to eat at this restaurant it had a lovely friendly owner who made the evening a special experience with amazing home cooked food but a few years ago it was under new management and the atmosphere disappeared as did the quality of the food. This year it was four years since we ate here due to holidaying in other places and obviously covid restrictions and decided to return for an evening meal. The whole ambiance has completely disappeared it was like sitting in a greasy spoon, the tables were bare no table cloths and to be honest not as clean as they could be with several tables not cleared. People were drifting in and out while waiting for taxis or taking a break after walking up the hill from the beach. The waiter was very nice, polite and obliging but this just wasn’t enough when you are expecting a restaurant service for an evening of good food and wine. The food to be fair was pretty good but again very basic like everything else so as you have probably gathered we will not be returning which is a shame considering this used to be one of our favourites.

When I walked into the front of restaurant a waiter approach me and I asked him if they take credit cards, to which he replied yes. I then told him good, I'm going to have lunch. He said wait. Seconds later another worker approach me and said you speak English, I said yes, he said okay come with me. He walked me through the service area and round to the side of the restaurant to area that was dirty and wasn't set up for service, and told me that I can sit anywhere there if I wanted. I was so embarrassed that my heart started racing. I asked him why can't I sit in the front of the restaurant with the customers, he said all the tables are booked up. There was about 5 empty tables. I said this area isn't even set up for service and it's not clean and you want me to sit at the back away from the other customers. He said you can't sit in the front because the tables are all booked up so you can sit back here or leave. At this point I shook my head and left as I would not debased myself. They treated me like subhuman. People should not support their business. This sort of behaviour is not acceptable. I go to the Algarve every year and never before had anyone treated me like this. People in the region are very kind and respectful. People need to boycott this restaurant.

We have visited Olitoral five years ago and re-visited this year to find it was a new owner ,I went with my grandaughter we were greeted with a smile and picked our table we were served with drinks and chose our food, the food was well good tasty and fresh I had chicken breast with a garlic butter with veg and chips it had the wow factor Brilliant service well done guys and the fresh orange juice was simply simply lovlee

Traveling around Portugal with a dog limits the range of restaurants available. This place is a delight! We were provided a table on a private terrace (with a view of the sea) to allow our dog to join us. The food (seafood of course) was delicious. The restaurant team a delight: incredibly friendly and passionate about great service. An enjoyable (and good value) evening watching the sun set.

We had just finished our cave tour of Benagil and was hungry as we headed out to our car. We came upon this restaurant. Food was tasty and well prepared. a bit on the pricier side but food was good.