O Veleiro — Restaurant in Albufeira

I recently dined at this restaurant and from the moment we walked in, it was apparent that the level of customer service was lacking as our presence wasn't even acknowledged but we sat down anyway. The woman who took my order seemed very disinterested in providing a pleasant dining experience. As a vegetarian, I ordered the vegetarian rice and a tomato salad. However, to my disappointment, I was served a seafood rice instead. I immediately informed the server about the mistake and reiterated my dietary preference. However, instead of rectifying the situation promptly, they seemed unwilling to acknowledge the error or take the dish back. It was disheartening to encounter such resistance when attempting to have my order corrected. Nonetheless, the waiter eventually took the dish back to the kitchen after what seemed like an unnecessary argument with the chef( LITERALLY the woman who took the order was screaming back and forward with the chef)This entire ordeal could have been avoided with a simple acknowledgement of the mistake and a willingness to make it right.

The service continued to be lackluster throughout my visit. The atmosphere was dampened by the tension in the air, and it was clear that the incident had affected the staff's overall demeanor and I wasn't feeling ok either. The subsequent wait for my corrected order was prolonged, and it felt as though I had been forgotten in the chaos.

Ultimately, my experience at this restaurant was marred by the carelessness of the staff. It was disappointing to encounter such a lack of professionalism and customer care. While I understand that mistakes happen, the fact that they had to fight and scream and I could understand some words as well was really disappointing.

I would say you can find better...

I have been waiting for Google to ask me about O Veleiro with great anticipation. First, this was our first trip to Portugal and hence, Albufeira Old Town. Looking for restaurants when we arrived, we saw this place was highly rated. We walked and drove by it a few times before finding it, expecting a larger place. It is small, but don't let that fool you or discourage you.

Yep, the outside patio has 6 tables and there are another six inside. We were there in Jan/Feb so it was cool outside, but a nice patio heater made the night pleasant. Now, full disclosure, the patio is right on the street. Not adjacent to, but right on the street! It seems to add to the charm of this spot. It is quiet and quaint!

Staff are friendly and accommodating! Our Portuguese is not strong, but the staff could not have been more accommodating!

Now the food! The first night we were there, we had grilled sea bass, sole and grilled chicken. All were absolutely fabulous, especially the fish! Good size sides and inexpensive (but good) wine and beer!

We saw the couple beside us, having Seafood Rice. We said, that looks fabulous and we need to come back for that! In our month long travels, we had the seafood Rice and Cataplana at other locations and they were good. So, the baseline had been set. I can say with full confidence that seafood Rice was the best of all at O Veleiro ! I couldn't stop eating it! Right down to the last scoops there were still tonnes of seafood! ONG! So good!!

Yes it is a small unassuming restaurant, but the food is fabulous! The pepper steak and chips were well received as well!

I know I am going on here, but you need to make this must stop when in the Old Town Albufeira! If there were 10 stars, I would give it to them. Its...

Unfortunately yesterday, we weren't satisfied at all with the services and food. No friendliness and mindfulness at the services. The starter didn't came after 20 minutes, only after asking where the bread, olives and sardine patê were. Just in that moment the dishes and the starter like bread and sardine patê came, not the olives. But we didn't complain. The plates for the starters weren't put on the table smoothly, so that we have had a very unpleasant experience. The small salmon filet was heavily burned on the backside, it is dry and lacks salt. This dish came with some little vegetable which has absolutely no salt and 2 small potatoes, cutting in halve. Bread is from the starter.

On the other dishes, the steak has an extreme sour sauce and is over salted. The vegetarian spaghetti is ok, but so salt. The Haku Filet came directly from the freezer and wasn't heated as disired.

The neighboring tables were complaining to the waitress as well, while their fish were too dry... The waitress offered them some calamari as a recompensation, but they refuse as they...