Classico beach club — Restaurant in Almada

I used to be a regular at the owner´s restaurants, my favorite being Yakuza but also Classico during summer in Lisbon. Food at Classico used to be quite amazing a good few years back. Finally when I heard the owner had taken the place back I wouldn’t be more excited to return! So I booked a table for 3 for the 5th of June. Obviously being at the beach they have the best tables which are sofas facing the ocean. I asked if the booking could be made in one of those but they couldn’t guarantee as we were 3, but they would try. So far, so good. When the day finally came, we were sited in the middle of the restaurant, in a small table which usually is for 2, but we were 3. Because this was not the ideal table we asked that, if one of the front tables would become free, if we could move there. We were informed it would not be a problem. A table became vacant, then another one, and finally all front tables became available. We asked at least 3 times if we could move, then the manager came to speak to us to finally inform us that those were reserved for the owner´s special guests, and had to be available at all times. That did it for us as we felt we were not guests. We spend quite a lot of money on that lunch, which is fairly priced due to location but not so much due to the food. The fact that we were being treated as less important than their vip guests made it for all of us. Of course it’s the owner´s place and it’s his rules, however that was my final visit as I prefer to be spending my money somewhere else where I'm treated as a guest. 2 star goes for some of the food which was mostly good, and part of the staff, in particular the one person who did try to move us unsuccessfully And of course, its still a beautiful place to go. One final note, the front tables were available all afternoon, until we left...

Dear Olivier!

We had a fantastic experience last night at your amazing restaurant Acosta. The location, the food and especially the service was outstanding.

So we decided to spend the next day at the Classico Beach Club. We had a great lunch with several courses and several bottles of wine. Together with the dessert we ordered a bottle of Champagne. We settled the bill of several hundred of Euros and tipped on top.

From that point on two things went completely wrong.

We asked at 1800 h for a portion plain chips. The server Claudia reacted quite rude. Nao, the kitchen is closed. Really? You are here till 2000 h. We don’t want the chips for free, we pay for it. Nao, not possible answered Claudia, kitchen is closed. Ok accepted but after all a very negative experience.

I was standing up to let pass a friend who was sitting next to me. I was barefoot for exactly two seconds. Claudia came to me and told me very rude again to put on my shoes. Really, are you kidding. Some people show up half naked. Dogs of neighbors are barking like hell and you Claudia complain because I was out of my shoes for not more than two seconds. What is your problem?

Dear Olivier! We love to come back another time. But please teach your server Claudia better manners and hospitality.

PS. 15 Minutes after we were told that the kitchen is closed at table next to us they served cuttle fish...

Honestly it is an ok place BUT Staff wise! Incredibly out of line especially by the end of the shift and not helpful. Andre and Fransisco are not suited to be in their positions, recommend they go through training especially in customer relations and communication skills and management if needed.

Hugo is super hospitable, respectful, polite, and has excellent communication skills and knows how to deal with situation and manage crisis. 5 starts to Hugo only.

Sunbeds are good but the shading requires a lot fixing, it looking nice for your instagram page as a club is not enough, fix the umbrellas and sun sheets.

Waves too strong, not good for surfing and too risky for swimming.

Sunbeds rent is 45 euros (to many people thats a lot as mostly in other places its a minimum charge so you can consume it with food) per person during week days, which is fine as it comes with a bottle of French rose, but it tastes very bad.

My recommendations: To owners: 1- monitor and question your staff when they misbehave. 2- improve your wine with the sunbeds. 3- improve your sunbeds. 4- provide training for staff in customer relations and hospitality communication.

To people seeing this review: 1- I like the Olivieir chain of restos and places but not the beach club or its staff and services.

2- there are plenty of great places near by on Caparica, with greater service and better staff...