Monte do Mar Carvoeiro — Restaurant in Lagoa

I booked Monte do Mar on our first night in Carvoiero- a last-minute decision, having had second thoughts about a different restaurant that we were due to eat at that night. We enjoyed our experience so much that we ended up going back 3 more times during our one-week stay. We even decided to go there for my birthday meal as we felt it would do justice to the occasion. And it did! The staff gave me a little cake with a candle and sang ‘Happy Birthday’. It was a really sweet gesture and really appreciated. Thank you. The service at Monte do Mar is second to none. The waiters are friendly, very courteous, attentive without being intrusive and knowledgeable about the food and drink on the menu. The food itself is well-presented, with good portions and, most importantly, very tasty and fresh. The chef definitely knows how to create flavours you’ll want to eat more of. Having only had food and wine with our meal on our first visit, on our 2nd visit to the restaurant, we decided to sit outside and have a pre-dinner cocktail. The drinks were the best we’d had on our holiday in Portugal: well -made, plentiful and a good price. The seating area in the front of the restaurant also provides such a pretty and relaxing environment in which to enjoy a drink. Last, but not least. Monte do Mar represents excellent value for money. It’s menu is very reasonably priced, especially given the high quality of the food and service. And outside of the regular ‘a la carte ‘ menu, it also offers a set menu, which really is fantastic value for money. My husband and I would not hesitate to recommend this lovely restaurant to anyone visiting Carvoiero. It is not...

1st time at this Restaurant. I had the Garlic Prawns for starters, followed by the Algarve Squid and Vegetables on the side. Desert. Triple chocolate layered cake with scoop of ice-cream Service was ok. I would of liked a dish on the side at the time De-shelled the prawns, just to soak and clean my hands. But the waiter said it’s normally done with knife and fork and not your hands. And if I wanted it, I should have asked. The Prawns where nice. The only thing was after I peeled off the heads. The black Liquid from inside the head mixed with the lovely garlic sauce, which made it taste not as good. The Algarve Squid was cooked nicely, but it was just a little to much garlic on it for me. And the vegetables slightly over salted. Everybody to there own taste. Over all not bad, but not great either. I was expecting better from everybody else’s reviews. Very average for...

Rather confusingly this has a sign that says Monte mar bar restaurante tapas. In fact one side is a bar with a TV and the other side is a restaurant. No tapas in the restaurant but was fine for us. Was a very quiet night but with 2 children this was perfect for us anyway. They do need to change the sign so people know what they are coming inside for. Amongst the plethora of restaurants aimed at biggest margin possible from the tourist pound this really stood out as being as close to authentic Portuguese as possible. The prawn starter and pork loin with figs main were the highlights. As were the almond tart and fig tart. Also loved the fado soundtrack. The wine list is all Portuguese so just ask for a recommendation. The rose by the glass and house red were both great. Very good and for anyone who doesn't want tourist food I can't recommend it...