Gaspacho & Migas — Restaurant in Lagoa

We had the pleasure of dining at Gaspacho & Migas to celebrate two special occasions—our 30th wedding anniversary and my husband's 60th birthday—and it was an experience that surpassed all expectations. If you find yourself visiting the Algarve, this restaurant is a must-visit. We took a 20-minute taxi ride after reading glowing reviews, and I'm so glad we did. In hindsight, I wish we'd booked here earlier in our trip so we could have enjoyed it a second time. From the moment we walked in, the service was impeccable. Catarina, Peres, and the rest of the staff were professional, friendly, and attentive, ensuring we felt like VIPs the entire evening. The ambiance was warm and welcoming, making it the perfect setting for such a memorable night. Our evening began with an unexpected and delightful amuse-bouche: macarons topped with a lemon sorbet waffle, served alongside a glass of sparkling wine. It was a fun, refreshing start to the meal and set the tone for the rest of the evening. For starters, we opted for the crab velouté and cured mackerel—both of which were absolutely mouthwatering. The velouté was rich and velvety, with a depth of flavor that was perfectly balanced, while the cured mackerel was fresh and flavorful, offering a lovely contrast. For the main course, we chose the Chateaubriand to share, and it did not disappoint. The steak was cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. Every bite was a joy, and it made for a truly memorable main course. We decided to skip dessert and instead enjoy a cocktail each, but to our surprise, we were treated to a slice of birthday cake to accompany our drinks. It was such a thoughtful gesture, adding a special touch to the celebration. What really stood out to us was the overall experience. The quality of the food, the level of service, and the attention to detail made this meal truly unforgettable. What's more, the price was extremely reasonable considering the caliber of the restaurant and the experience. We've visited many fine dining spots, but this one was exceptional in every way. If you're looking for a special place to celebrate an occasion or simply enjoy a fantastic meal, Gaspacho & Migas is absolutely worth the visit. We’ll definitely be back on our next trip to...

This is was by far the best food we had on our trip to Portugal. This place is so under rated, I am surprised they are not Michelin starred yet. The resturant is located away from the resorts in a more residential neighborhood, the interior decor is simple, modern and functional. Food is the star of the show here not the fancy interior design as some other restaurant do. We were greeted and were served by professional wait staff and the owner himself. You could tell the owner had hired a team of servers with deep knowledge of food and many years of food industry experience. They were all very fluent in English. We had a wonderful introduction to a local ingredient called carob which was part of our bread stick and then dessert. We were treated by the chefs complimentary carob bread stick and hummus which was very tasty. The couvert is highly recommended we enjoyed the local olive oil and salt. On the next course we went with tapas starter which was an amazing culinary journey, every bite was enjoyed and savoured. We were also visited by chef Ivo and took his recommendation on the order to eat each dish, presentation and taste was world class, a must order. We then shared a t-bone steak which was cooked perfectly and accompanied with 2 amazing sauces. We finished our meal sharing the orange carob cake which was great. They also have a nice wine list, we enjoyed their recommended local red wine with our meal. Overall I highly recommend you try this place before the...

I recently dined at Gaspacho & Migas, a place that has garnered surprisingly high praise online, which left me wondering if I had visited the same establishment as those reviewers. While the service was prompt and attentive, it felt overwhelmingly pretentious, as if the staff were trying too hard to sell an image of luxury that simply wasn't backed up by the overall experience.

The food, while presented beautifully, was disappointingly average. Each dish seemed more concerned with style than substance, lacking the rich, authentic flavors one might expect from a restaurant touting itself as a purveyor of fine Portuguese cuisine. The experience was further soured by the prices, which were nothing short of exorbitant. For example, a small 200 ml bottle of Coca Cola was priced at a staggering 3.5€, suggesting that a regular-sized serving would set you back over 4€. This kind of pricing might be justified at a high-end, Michelin-starred venue, but here it felt completely out of place.

Given the underwhelming food, inflated prices, and the overly polished service, I can’t in good conscience recommend Gaspacho & Migas to anyone—whether you’re a tourist hoping to experience authentic Portuguese cuisine or a local looking for a solid meal. There are far better options available that offer genuine flavor without the pretentiousness and...