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 friends Kay & Alan and we decided, in advance, on both the roast pork and roast lamb dishes for two.  We booked for 7.30pm, 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.  We decided on the usual cover of bread, sardine pâté, cheese and olives and the local cheese was particularly good.  Then, the main dish arrived!  As usual, large dishes came to the table with the neatly sliced pork loin or chunks of lamb 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: there was enough for seconds and thirds and although we finished the lot between us, there really was plenty and we probably ate more than we needed!  The meal was complemented by the excellent and keenly priced house red wine.

If you have space there is also a selection of local desserts and ice cream available along, with coffee and tea.  Although on this occasion we did not have a sweet we know the local almond tart and the lemon meringue pie are both delicious.  The restaurant serves many other traditional dishes such as Roasted Octopus Portuguese style, Fish stew, Codfish Bráz style, Pork and Clams cataplana, Rabbit Marigil style, Lamb chops and Pork Liver Algarve style.  Restaurante Marigil is also unusual in that there is a large area with comfortable chairs for having pre dinner drinks and post dinner coffees.

Booking is necessary if you are choosing specialities but is advisable anyway, as this is a popular local restaurant. 

Restaurante Marigil, Raposeira

Open from 6pm - 12 midnight Monday - Friday and for lunch and dinner on Sundays, closed Saturdays

Tel (+351) 282 639 274 or mobile (+351) 966 018 475

price range €€ to €€€

Last updated May 2011

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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