Portalegre: Don’t miss the restaurant “Tomba Lobos” ! https://www.facebook.com/Tombalobos.Restaurante.Alentejano
In Monforte / Valamonte; The Wine Hotel “Torre da Palma” https://www.torredepalma.com/en/ has an excellent restaurant (and wines). It is within walking distance of the ruins of a large Roman villa, well worth the visit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_of_Torre_de_Palma
And also not far from a very charming and delicious Mom and Pop restaurant “Taberna Tintos & Petiscos”. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057263117393
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In Guimarães, try Taberna Trovador - you probably need to book in advance.
From Guimarães you’re not far from Braga, which has some good options. Pappa’Lab in the center has great ice cream. Arcoense and Taberna do Lebre are very much not in the center but have great traditional Portuguese food - not sure how easy it would be to eat at Lebre without at least a little Portuguese language ability, though.
We were just in the Castelo de Vide area over New Year’s and had some great meals - at A Confraria and Dom Pedro V. If you really want to be in that area I would stay in Castelo de Vide over Marvão, there are more options. But I agree with Mirabel that something near Evora would be better. There are some GREAT restaurants in Evora - we recently drove out from Lisbon (90 minutes each way) just for dinner at Tua Madre.
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Plenty of Choice in Évora… I often stay at the “Convento do Espinheiro” https://www.conventodoespinheiro.com/en/ A wine tasting in the old cisterna of the convent is a must! Evora has just been nominated European Capital of Culture 2027, so there is plenty to do and see. Not short of restaurants either… I like Fialho in particular for its very traditional dishes.
And you should also look at the old city of Estremoz. So much in that area…
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My favorite lodging inside the Evora walls-Albergaria do Calvario. Wonderful comfort food at La Tabua do Naldo-great wine bar with creative small plates at Enoteca Cartuxa. Origens with open kitchen, with one of the city’s best chefs, must reserve.
For Portalegre Tombalobos for sure and for more casual a block away, with delicious skewers and nice selection of wines—Solar do Forçado, run by a former bull wrestler.
Sweet place. Both are Michelin recommended.
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Hi Maribel, good suggestions too :o) you have probably realised by now I ma not the “casual” type. Another great place to stay if you want to be in Évora center is the Mar d’Ar Aqueduto… Restaurant “Origens” not to be missed!
Howard’s Folly in Estremoz for a great wine tasting and very good restaurant (plus you’re helping a great charity!)
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Not an answer to your question, but I’m linking these, in case you haven’t seen them and they might be helpful.
Have fun!
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Hi Monchique,
On my last visit to Evora I actually stayed for 4 nights at Mar d’Ar Aqueduto because the Albegaria do Calvario was full (they take luxury cycling groups) and my traveling companion wanted a hotel with pool.
The Mar d’ar Aqueduto has a pool and garden so she was happy. It also has a handy underground garage, and all we needed to do was to turn right to get on the ring road quickly.
At the Albergaria across the street, you need to turn right and go through the town before accessing the ring road for your day trips.
The Mar d’Ar Aqueduto does take Rick Steves “Best of Portugal” groups, so does sometimes get booked with them and with cycling groups as well. Backroads was there during our stay.
The breakfasts were superb.
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And their restaurant can be very good too!
Absolutely, we ate there twice!
Me too. CR has the beer tap for 2 Euros as you wait. That was a lifesaver, but very much worth the wait.
Having a small child changes my recommendations a lot. Let me give it a think.
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There’s no longer a wait at Ramiro if you reserve online. They began accepting reservations by email only and only at 7:30 or before, but now one can book online via The Fork thus saving a long wait.
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I might go there now… never been because I don’t do queues for restaurants :o)
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The beer tap was def a life saver, but now they take reservations, so I hear.
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We are looking forward to our three nighter at the Convento in June. And the only restaurant I marked so far is Fialho.
All of the advice has been super helpful. Thank you!
Now we’re leaning toward Itinerary A, but with Days 4 and 5 in Evora.
Once we’ve got the locations set, I’ll be back with plenty more restaurant/food questions. Thanks so much!
Dave
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Ziggy,
Evora has undergone a restaurant renaissance in the last couple of years, with exciting places in addition to the older, classic Fialho. It´s become a gourmet mecca.
Look at Origens, Momentos, Cavalariça, Híbrido, A Bruxa. Several young chefs doing some creative things here.
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Thanks Maribel. Will take a look
Very much so! Lots of new blood… The Palacio Cadaval (where Cavalariça is located) is interesting to visit, they always have nice exhibitions, and the chapel of the palace is worth a visit on its own. https://www.palaciocadaval.com/en/
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Thanks for these suggestions! Taberna do Lebre looks really good! Looks like it’s just open for dinner, but starting early enough that it would be easy enough to eat there and then drive back to Guimaraes.
I speak Spanish, so I feel like we’d certainly make do in a Portuguese-speaking-only establishment. Plus we’re happy/willing to eat anything. Might be a fun adventure.
Let me know if you have other suggestions for family-friendly places in/around Evora too.
Thanks!
Dave
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Taberna Tipica Quarta-Feira in Evora is pretty family friendly, I believe - I haven’t been (they are always booked when we’re in Evora) but we have friends who’ve gone and brought their kids.
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