Posts in Food

For over two decades, I have been writing reviews for various restaurants, bars, venues, events etc, either on specially dedicated blogs, or for newspapers and magazines, in at least 4 different countries.  Being an avid foodie and party lover, I enjoy sharing my experiences, for whatever they may be worth to other people.  Having lived on the Algarvian coast since 2017, I have had plenty of time to explore the local food and party scene, which has grown over the last few years, especially here in Carvoeiro where I live.

Brunch is without a doubt, my favourite meal of the day, and when out and about in Carvoeiro, there are a few places which I like but for different reasons.  It is indeed hard to pick a favourite, for one place does this thing well, and the other does that well, but one thing is for sure, there is no shortage of great coffee shops and epic breakfast / brunch spots in Carvoeiro, which has seen an upswing in quality over the last few years, and we are truly grateful for this.  Below is a list of my favourite places for a breakfast / brunch / lunch in Carvoeiro.

LEVELS | I have always been a cappuccino lady, a fetish I inherited from my Mother, but lactose intolerance means that enjoying the milky froth has become troublesome for me.  This being the Algarve, it had for years been impossible to enjoy a cozy coffee the way I liked it for the longest time, as indeed, a well rendered Oat Milk Cappuccino is truly joyous thing, not to mention a rare and hard won treasure.

Oh yes, when it comes to my coffee, I am extremely fussy, and like it just right, and no place in Carvoeiro is able to get that plant based cappuccino option just right, except for Levels, which opened 3 years ago.  From the perfect oat milk froth, to the clean, defined lines of the latte art, to the perfect flavour, (so good in fact, I never have to add sugar) Levels make the best Oat Milk Cappuccinos in town.

I am also a big fan of their iced coffee selection, which are just as good as their warm counterpart.  Amongst the coffee loving locals, it is commonly known that this is the best quality coffee in the village without a doubt.  I have no idea which coffee Levels use, but I love it, and indeed, this is their strength.  Being right on the beach, I never pass up an opportunity to sip that perfect cuppa, whilst watching the ebb and flow of Carvoeiro’s main square.  A visit to Carvoeiro’s beach front is not complete without a coffee break at Levels, and for genuine coffee lovers, this place has yet to be beaten in my humble opinion.  Open everyday for BRUNCH, LUNCH & DINNER.

ENCCI | Being brand new in town, having opened in March 2024, Encci is probably the place I visited most this year.  I love the tucked away, landscaped garden, and the pale pinkness of the decor, for I am indeed a pink addict.  This elegant pink eatery does some really unique breakfast dishes including a French Toast dish topped with crunchy coconut flakes, coconut foam and berries.  Think more Bread and Butter pudding, than a traditional French Toast.  Also a winner is their Matcha Pancakes, and Eggs Benedict.

I am a big fan of the Date & Curry Spread which is served with toasted sourdough, and is just the right snack for in between meals.  They also do this as a platter of 3 spreads, which come served with crudite and sourdough toast.

I am particularly fond of the Ginger & Turmeric health shots that they serve in little square corked bottles, accompanied by a shot glass.  They are intense and potent and thus, come with a warning from the very polite and friendly waiting staff.

The coffees, smoothies and fresh baked goods need a little bit of work, as I feel that these items let down an otherwise classy, elegant establishment.  I feel that this is still an evolving experient, as the hybrid space concept is super cutting edge, and some of the aforementioned need to take time to find their final perfection.

At night this beautiful brunch venue with its epic back garden, transforms into a pizzeria, and hosts an art and craft market, pop up events, live performers and DJ’s.  The front of the restaurant has seating under the Bougainvillea, whilst looking down into the old winding streets of Carvoeiro.  Indoors boasts double height ceilings, with spacious and comfortable air conditioned seating inside.  Worth mentioning is how beautiful their branding and marketing is, with a totally fresh and different feel compared to everything else in Carvoeiro.  There is free parking for patrons, and pets are allowed.  Open everyday for BRUNCH, LUNCH & DINNER

ORGANICS by TANIA | Always one of my firm favourite in Carvoeiro, because this place makes food with love.  Run by a lovely mother and daughter team, everything that comes from this place is absolutely delicious, freshly made and done with care.  You can actually taste the love in the food.  From the epic pancake selections, to the salads and sandwiches, this is place is an all round winner, and never misses a beat when it comes to quality and value for money.  Open for BRUNCH & LUNCH (closed on Mondays)

EARTH CAFE | The first of the trendy brunch venues, this Carvoeiro icon is the perfect place for the health conscious, offering a variety of nutritious breakfast dishes, including vegan and gluten free options.  I am particularly fond of their freshly baked, fresh cream & jam scones, which I try to avoid with great difficulty, but treat myself every now and then.  However, my favourite thing to get from Earth Cafe is their smoothies.

Boasting the best smoothies in Carvoeiro, I always feel nutritionally boosted when I make my stop there during my morning exercise walks up and down the cliffs of Carvoeiro.  Their smoothie menu is unique and interesting, and made from fresh ingredients, not concentrates.  My two favourite smoothies are the WAKE UP, which is made of iced oat milk, dates and coffee; and the AVOGOGO, which is an avocado based smoothie.  This place queues out the door, due to its great vibe, with beautiful sea views from inside.  Pets are welcome and there is a newly furnished outside seating area of benches for a streetside cafe vibe.  The decor and branding of Earth Cafe hints at a retro, art deco vibe, with a beautiful shop of artesian produce for those wanting something a little authentic and high end.  Open everyday for BRUNCH & LUNCH

THE SQUARE by RAQUEL MARQUES | Upfront it must be said that this is my favourite restaurant in Carvoeiro, and Raquel Marques is probably the most skilled chef in town.  And apart from doing the most epic dinner menu and cocktails, THE SQUARE also does delicious breakfasts, serving up some classic delicious egg  dishes and adventurous pancake combos.  Complete with a play area for kids, this is a perfect spot for families.  THE SQUARE is Located in a pretty little enclave up the hill in Monte Carvoeiro, and it is flanked by some other nice restaurants, and the iconic Cocktail Garden (who do the best Negronis in Carvoeiro – TIP: Try the Smoky Negroni)

SEGREDO DOS AVOS | For early risers (or those who have not yet been to sleep), dog walkers, joggers and commuting professionals, the best place to stop in for an early morning coffee is Segredos dos Avos, which is open at 7:30am!  Located literally behind a counter half way up Rua do Farol a.ka. Restaurant Hill, this innocuous little coffee shop also sells amazing pastries, many local specialities, with some interesting surprises and variations of cakes and confectionary treats.  Run by a mother and daughter team, all items are homemade on site, and they also sell fresh Portuguese bread rolls and loaves.  This is a gathering point for many locals first thing in the morning.  Open everyday until 5pm.

CAFE FINO | If it is an good old fashioned English Breakfast you are after, the best one is town can be found at CAFE FINO, which is located near Earth Cafe at the top of Rua do Farol a.k.a. Restaurant Hill.  Complete with thick slices of toast, beans, proper bacon and English pork sausages, this is the place for the perfect fry up.  I particularly love the comfortable pallet furniture and pergola on the street, giving it a true street cafe feel, and I can chill there for hours if I am not careful.  It is an interesting spot to do some people watching, as locals and tourists wonder up and down the hill.  This place gets very busy during tourist season.  Open for BRUNCH, LUNCH & DINNER

If you want to travel a little bit out of the village, the BREAKFAST / BRUNCH at TIVOLI and VILA VITA PARC are for more refined tastes, but definitely worth the travel and cost.

Carvoeiro is said to be one of the most photographed and published of the picturesque, quaint Algarvian beach towns, boasting a plethora of fabulous places to to eat and drink.  Being a local resident, I am blessed to be able to experience this amazing corner of paradise.

Peace Love Unity Respect

Mel Ve

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