Gastronomic road trip: where to eat in Alentejo

In Paço Ducal, one of the places of obligatory visit in Vila Viçosa, you can find Taverna dos Conjurados. As soon as we enter, its large arches seem to carry us back to other times, and the grandeur remains the moment the food reaches the table. Cosy by nature and regional by inspiration, Taverna dos Conjurados delights the visitors. Also, the enthusiasm and stories of the owner are already a business card for anyone passing by.

Entering the restaurant A Maria, in Alandroal, is like diving into a typical Alentejo courtyard, with the whitewashed houses and the traditional blues and yellows. There are outfits, flower beds, flower pots and even cages. Let yourself be enveloped by the authentic spirit of Alentejo, masterfully completed with the typical gastronomy of the region. From the dogfish soup to the braised partridge, or the lamb à la mode de Aunt Maria, all dishes breathe the inspiration and culinary identity of Alentejo.

In this cosy space, prior reservation is recommended because the place fills up quickly. The quality of Tasquinha do Oliveira attracts locals and visitors, who can not resist this invitation to a true delicacy of the senses. The wine and regional ingredients combine perfectly, from the fish dishes to the meat dishes, not forgetting the well-made seafood. The decoration, also inspired by Alentejo, turns this gastronomic experience into a trip through the region.

Located in the centre of the charming village of Mourão, the Adega Velha is a reference in the gastronomy of Alentejo. As a wine cellar requires, wine is one of its talismans, and is present in earthenware pots throughout space, perfectly accompanying the culinary specialities. These range from stewed grain with meat to the dogfish soup, and if you are lucky, you may see your meal brightened by a performance of Cante Alentejano.

Tradition and modernity are found in Cuba, in the Taberna do Arrufa, where the flavours of the region are reinventing themselves at the table. Octopus is one of the usual stars, as are the migas (crumbs) and the pork cheeks. In addition to enchanting locals and tourists with its typical gastronomy, the space also organizes events of varied music, such as Fado or Cante Alentejano. Be sure to keep an eye on the local agenda and, if the weather allows you to, enjoy eating on the terrace.

Still in Cuba, we are greeted at the Adega da Casa de Monte Pedral by a statue of the navigator Christopher Columbus, who, some theories say, was born here. A certainty is the quality of the ingredients and wines of the Alentejo, which mark the identity of this House. The journey through the Alentejo tradition continues indoors, in an ample space adorned by several pots and with a great tree in the centre. At the table you can not miss the very popular stew and cod, as well as the açordas and migas (crumbs).

The whole restaurant breathes history. The name comes from the Carnation Revolution, which restored freedom to Portugal after years of dictatorship, and the space is decorated with elements typical of the life in Alentejo. Already a reference in Beja, the Adega Típica conveys the tradition of Alentejo when it comes to food and drink, recovering many of the dishes that are part of the region's identity. The black pork is one of the stars of the company, and the meat dishes are the main references of the restaurant.

Its name may originate in beer, which they claim to be the "best in the world", but the Cervejaria Lebrinha is also an inescapable place when it comes to food. It is a simple but very cosy space, where there are regular guests and others attracted by curiosity. The menu has açorda, migas (crumbs) and many other delicacies of the region. For those looking only for snacks or lighter meals, the offer is varied, with gizzards and cuttlefish strips as the protagonists.

For many a mandatory stop on the trip to the Algarve, particularly for excursions that pass by, the restaurant Cruzeiro is already a reference of Alentejo gastronomy. However, it is also easy to find residents there. Among the specialities, you can find pettitoes (pig's trotters) and migas (crumbs) with cod and meat, but the meat and fish offer is quite varied. As it is a large space, it also invites to group meetings and other events.

The charming Vila Nova de Milfontes is not just a beach, and Tasca do Celso isproof of this. However, it is not a typical tavern and the owner is not called Celso, but instead it is a tribute to his father, a figure well-known in the village. The regional food is also celebrated in this space, from the appetizers to the traditional black pork and migas (crumbs) dishes, and the region's wine. The decor, inspired by Alentejo, has some unexpected and even funny details.