Where to eat in the Algarve, Portugal

Marigil Restaurante in Raposeira

Along the EN125, to the west of Salema and Figueira, is the small village of Raposeira, very Portuguese and with two great assets, a huge pot shop - Artesanato and, just opposite, Restaurante Marigil.  We have being going to Marigils for as long as we have been going to Portugal, as the standard is excellent, consistent and the staff are very welcoming.  The menu is Portuguese in style but their speciality is lamb, pork, beef and chicken roasts ordered 6 hours in advance to allow marinating for the day - we know that there is olive oil, garlic and honey in there but the rest is a highly kept secret!

This time we were with our American friends Patti and Denny and we decided in advance on the roast pork dish for four. We booked for 7.30, meaning that the roast dish would be ready for that time so, if you want a starter, make sure that you are there 30 minutes earlier.  The usual cover of bread, sardine pate chees and olives arrived and the local cheese was particularly good.  Then, the main dish arrived!  It was a large dish with a whole loin of pork, neatly sliced, running down the centre and surrounded by mounds of delicious small roast potatoes all sitting in a beautiful gravy (unfortunately we ate it before we remembered to take a photograph!).   A selection of vegetables is provided in another dish, usually carrots, cabbage, beans and cauliflower.  We dived in and there was enough for seconds and thirds and some left over. the meal was complemented by the excellent and economic Alentjo house wine at €4.50.

If you have space there is also a selection of local puddings and ice cream available along with coffee and tea.  We chose a local almond tart and a lemon meringue pie, both delicious.  Restaurante Marigil is also unusual in that there is a large area with comfortable chairs for having a pre dinner drink and post dinner coffee.

The price for the pork roast for four, two puddings and four spoons, two bottles of house wine and coffees was 72 euros, just under £50, what a bargain!

Restaurante Marigil is open for lunch and dinner on Sundays, open Monday to Friday for dinner from 6pm and closed on Saturdays.  Booking is necessary if you are choosing specialities but is advisable anyway. 

Restaurante Marigil (00351) 282 639 274, (00351 966018475)

Maggie & John June 2007

If you would like to know more about Portuguese Food and Drink, why don't you dip into our Restaurants in the Algarve section and our series of articles on Portuguese Wines and Ports.  We also feature some Traditional Portuguese Recipes and a glossary of useful Portuguese food & drink words and phrases

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