You´re on the east side of the Algarve, and you’re looking for that quintessential beach restaurant that ticks all of the boxes? Consider this: Literally on the beach – (tick). Ocean views – (tick). Creatively-designed menu of fresh fish and seafood – (tick). Contemporary and airy décor – (tick). Consider Chá com Água Salgada on the Manta Rota Beach in Vila Nova de Cacela.
Chá com Água Salgada translates to Tea with Salt Water. That term does not necessarily describe a menu item, but rather the “the experience” of this beach front restaurant.
From a distance, the building resembles any surf shack that dots the coast. Walk a little closer, and fine detail of brown wooden slats begin to take shape in a structure that was carefully designed by architects Mónica Pacheco and Marta Machado. The dining room is large and open. The rear minimalist gray wall provides a sense of modernity, while careful not to compete with the main visual attraction, a full, unobstructed view of the beach and Ria Formosa natural reserve. Eat inside or on the terrace.
With the ocean as inspiration, the menu leans heavily towards the abundance of fresh fish and seafood available. House specialties and menu highlights include:
■ Marinated Codfish Rolls with Green Asparagus and Lemon Foam
■ Tuna Trilogy (Tar tare, Muxama (traditional dried tuna) and Broiled Loin)
■ Barbequed Stingray
■ Rock Lobster Risotto
■ Giant Red Prawns on a Vegetable Symphony
■ Grilled Tuna Belly with Tomato and Penny Royale Migas Bread
■ Loin of Cod with Garlic Crust on a Bed of Spinach and Small Potatoes
■ Octopus Tempura Risotto
■ Mozambique’s Jumbo Tiger Shrimp
■ Veal Filet Mignon in Fine Herbs Butter, Steamed Vegetables and Mashed Beetroot
■ Lamb Loin in a Crust of Herbs, Mashed Sweet potatoes and Asparagus
■ Strawberry Tiramisu with Walnut Praline.
Traditional Portuguese and regional Algarvian dishes of roast meats, cataplanas and açordas are also available. Complement the meal with a wine from a sizable menu of Portuguese labels.
Loin of Salt Cod with Garlic Crust on a Bed of Spinach and Small Jacket Potatoes
Chá com Àgua Salgada opens in the morning at 9:00 for breakfast. Menu selections change throughout the day for lunch, beach snacks and sunset cocktails. Dinner offers a romantic view and roaring surf environment for that special meal with lovers and friends.
For more information, please visit the Chá com Água Salgada website.
Chá com Água Salgada
Apoio de Praia (UB#)
Praia da Manta Rota
8900-065 Vila Nova de Cacela
Phone: +351 281 952 856
Mobile: +351 913 660 057
Email: chacomaguasalgada@gmail.com