O Fadista — Restaurant in Grândola

Food is really delicious and then you get lucky or not with the service. I got lucky on my first visit with a nice waiter despite a bad table (traveling single in Portugal was a challenge to get a nice table). But on my second visit I booked and asked for the nice room which I called « inside » (I didn’t even see there was a second room) and then I ended up in a sad little side room, between the tv and the staff entrance. When I confronted them with my frustration on returning, booking and getting yet another bad table not looking as inviting as the main room, I ended up being totally ignored by my waitress. It was self service and not asking how things were going (also waited 50’ for my dish to come). Ask for the main dining room (with the tiles) that’s where the soul is and of course the terrace when the street renovation works...

We stayed in town at Vermelho hotel and came here twice. There is a nice cozier room which we were in both times and another with bright white lighting which we avoided. The first night we had the stellar fish stew pot which we highly recommend, also try the rice pudding for desert, really good. The second night we had overcooked rubbery cod, and even more rubbery to eat cuttlefish fritters (granted in that case it makes more sense but cod was very disappointing). Basically a 5 star followed by a 2 star, so a bit of a gamble but the first night was absolutely wonderful.

Waiting staff was super lovely both times. This is probably the better option in Melides although we didn't try the...

So we decide to go for a drive through Melides and think, maybe we should stop for a snack since it’s lunch .. we somehow drop into O Fadista and the place is heaving - on Boxing Day too! We decide to share a lunch and order the house specialty - Prawns and Clams Rice. WOAH .. first the pit comes out and we think, this is for a family .. then we start digging in and the entire prawn and clam ancestry is in this pot - no holding back! The most amazing lunch we’ve had in a long time .. if you’re in Portugal or even Spain - drive over .. it’ll be worth it .. Delicious is an understatement for how good...