The bar at the Bela Vista Hotel, is one of the oldest in the region. It is something of a standby for the Portimão social scene, whether for summertime sunset cocktails on the seaside terrace or indoor imbibing in a colorful, handsome space that is historic and beautiful, with its glittering mosaic tiles, blue azulejos around the working fireplace, and original painted ceiling. But it would be a mistake to go home after the aperitivo.
In the similarly stylish dining room of the Vista Restaurant, with its red alcoves full of coral, diners have a variety of menu options. The 12-course Sea and Sustainability menu is a fully pescatarian take on the best of the Algarve coast. The more wide-ranging and luxuriant Chef’s Experience menu can be served as three, four, or eight courses, including a langoustine with cauliflower, halophytic (saltwater) herbs, caviar, and champagne, and a dish of 45-days matured veal with vegetal charcoal and Jerusalem artichoke.
Chef João Oliveira perfected his technique in some of the country’s top kitchens, including the Michelin two-stars Vila Joya and the Yeatman and earned a star of his own here before his 30th birthday. And as he is from the north of Portugal, his cooking takes in the whole of the country’s gastronomy.
For more information, visit Vista Restaurante website.
Vista
Avenida Tomás Cabreira
Praia de Rocha
Portimão
Algarve
Phone: +351 282 460 280
Hours: Nightly – 19:30 to 24:00 (last seating at 21:00)
Photos courtesy of Vista Restaurante