Restaurante O Marinheiro — Restaurant in Albufeira

O MARINHEIRO: A Culinary Adventure and Michelin Bib Gem in Albufeira's Rustic Charm Today, we set out on a common quest for fish, and lo and behold, we stumbled upon a gem just a kilometer away – O MARINHEIRO, a Michelin Bib restaurant. It was like fate had intervened.

As I stepped into O MARINHEIRO, I sensed its warm and familial atmosphere. The regulars seemed to know the owner by name, and he made a point of greeting old friends at their tables. The staff was gracious and welcoming from the get-go.

We kicked off our culinary adventure with some outstanding starters. The wife opted for the prawns, while I went with a refreshing cold soup. Both were on point and got our taste buds dancing with joy.

When it came to the main course, we each ventured down different paths. I chose the intriguingly named "Mediterranean Touch" This delightful dish was a symphony of flavors, featuring Lemon Balm-infused John Dory fish, accompanied by luscious Pumpkin Mash, topped with crispy Breadcrumbs, Chorizo Chips, and Salicornia. It was a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that left me more than satisfied.

My better half, the wife, made a wise decision with "Vasco da Gama's Sea Route." This dish showcased Prawns and Monkish Medallions draped in a velvety Curry Sauce, served alongside a bed of white rice. A sublime combination that had her singing its praises.

As for dessert, we treated ourselves to both Caramel Cheesecake and Pavlova. While the pavlova was delightful, it was the decadent caramel cheesecake that truly stole the spotlight.

And if that wasn't enough to win us over, the restaurant even had a dedicated children's area with games to keep the little ones entertained. A definite plus in my book – a place that caters to the whole family is always a winner.

All in all, O MARINHEIRO is a place where Portuguese delicacies and Mediterranean influences meet harmoniously. The dishes are prepared with care, using the freshest seasonal ingredients, resulting in a memorable and satisfying dining experience. The Michelin Bib recognition is well-deserved, and I can see why the locals and visitors alike frequent this charming establishment. If you're looking for a friendly and delicious culinary escapade, make your way to O MARINHEIRO – it's an experience...

We, a family with two children, have eaten at O Marinheiro (“The Fisherman”) four times, twice in 2020 and twice in 2021. The restaurant has a cozy, yet open and transparent atmosphere. The place is kept super-clean, both in the restaurant and washrooms. There is usually space for parking in their own car park as well as on the road.

The staff has been very welcoming and friendly on all four visits. The advice given on food and wine has been helpful and objectively transparent.

The food is absolutely outstanding for the Algarve and warrants somewhat higher prices than elsewhere around. For most families, this will not be the place for the daily dinner, as a full dinner with starters, desserts and a good wine will cost you well in excess of 100 Euros. We have enjoyed both their fish- and meat-dishes. They were creative, based on the traditions of Portuguese food from sea (mar) and soil (terra). We enjoyed the burgers (larger adult version and kids’ version) and steaks, side dishes including the freshly made fries and spinach, as well as the various varieties of fish and seafood, including fresh sea fish, bacalhau and polvo (octopus).

Vegetarian dishes are spread around the menu and are very tasty creations, not falling short in quality from the sea food and meat dishes.

A highlight for kids and parents were the desserts, including an excellent composition of white and black chocolate mousse, a nice reference to the Swiss-borne owner of the restaurant, as well as various Portuguese dessert-specialties.

The selection of wines from all around Portugal is very good, but also the white or red housewine is a very good choice. And of course they serve Portuguese beer from the tap.

Last, not least, O Marinheiro has a very well equipped bar, which serves excellent cocktails and longdrinks, including a nice selection of international gins and alcohol-free creations.

In summary, if you are prepared for the higher prices, reflecting a much better quality than elsewhere, you will have a great time here and indulge in excellent...

My husband and I ate at this restaurant one night for dinner. We loved the food so much that for our last night in Portugal, we cancelled reservations elsewhere and returned to O'Marinheiro for another fabulous meal outside and a beautiful night to remember and reminisce about our amazing trip. The atmosphere is very casual and friendly and our waitress both nights was super. The restaurant holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award, which they have now received for over 10 consecutive years. This award is given to Michelin quality food restaurants who serve 3 course meals at more affordable prices.

On our second visit, we had the dishes that I am describing. Appetizers of baked phyllo filled with a mixture of goat cheese, mashed fig and honey for me, carpaccio with capers, mushroom paste, tomatoes and shavings of parmesan cheese for my husband. For our main course my husband my husband had octopus in a Portuguese sauce with local chorizo and I had tender duck breast on dark orange sauce paired with linguine noodles topped with julienne vegetables and toasted almonds. (Sorry I am unable to download photos of the dishes themselves.)

Joaquem (sp) the owner, came out at least twice to welcome us and thank us for coming again. He is the nicest guy, friendly, caring and wanting his customers to enjoy not only his creations but the time spent at his establishment. He more than succeeded in all respects. This is a restaurant not to be missed if you are ever in...