Restaurante ALGARVE 2000 — Restaurant in Lagoa

If you’re looking for an experience that’ll make you question the very nature of food, look no further than this place. Picture this: a dead atmosphere so quiet, you could hear a pin drop... unless the group of guys watching football decides to enthusiastically debate the offside rule, over some furniture from the 1960s. Seriously, it was like eating in a ghost town, except the ghosts were slightly more lively than the staff.

Came in with two buddies, full of optimism and the hope of a good meal, only to find that the real action was happening at the table next to us: a family of five, who seemed to know the owner/workers on an intimate level. Overheard a few inside jokes about dodging conscription in the ukraine. Nothing says “top-tier dining experience” like awkwardly overhearing that kind of conversation while trying to force down a meal.

Now, let’s talk about the food. Oh, the food. There’s a disclaimer on the menu that basically tells you not to trust your eyes, and it should have been a red flag. I’d like to say the food here was disappointing, but that would imply there was some level of expectation. Imagine going to Continente or Aldi, picking up a loaf of bread, some sad ham, and a few slices of cheese, and then telling yourself, "This is the one." You’d actually make a better sandwich at home, probably while crying in the kitchen. For 11 euros, that another poor sucker spent, I could’ve made that sandwich 4 times and had enough left over to buy myself a consolatory dessert.

If you're really feeling adventurous, rent a car from Drivalia, drive into town, and spend your hard-earned money somewhere else, somewhere that understands the sacred art of not serving you a sad, soggy, overpriced travesty of a meal.

In short: don’t eat here. Ever. Unless you're looking to test the limits of your patience and your gag reflex. Bon appétit! (Not really.)

Note the photo of the loaded burger with an egg here is 6 EUR from a sandwich shop in downtown Carvoeiro by the beach, a 5 min drive from this shop. Hopefully this inspires Gavin to make a sandwich with some inspiration for a change.

Friendly staff though. Would recommend that their cat be kept out of the kitchen especially after being outdoors.

Edit:

The friendly owner responded. :)

Raised the atmosphere to 3 stars and overall to 2 owing to the fact that he can't change the deprecated ceiling of another unit that is not in his control. Condolences for the...

Absolutely do NOT go there. Massively overpriced and quality of the food is far below the absolute minimum. We actually wanted to go for a snack, but our favorite Helder's (next door) is closed on Thursdays so despite having been warned we went in. Chips (Pommes Frites) were fried in old fat. Tosta Mista abolutely below the minimum requirement. Ham thin as paper and invisible cheese. My friend had a panini and asked for French Fries with it and got crisps on the side. Finally he got his fries for an extra 5 euros. I ordered a coke and was told they only have Pepsi, fine, so I asked for a REAL one and got one with sweetener in it ... I have a sucralose allergy ... Nobody at all asked afterwards if all was OK ... and they probably know why they do not ask. And after all, for that they asked for 30 Euros.

AVOID avoid avoid

... if ever Helder is open next door ... all week except Thursday, go there. Far better quality for cheaper money you get there.

Add-on to the original review upon the owner's response: I'm pretty happy about your response as I am sure your impudent reasoning will let other people stay away. I have no doubt that you use natural sunflower oil, however, the fries tasted as if that oil had not been changed in recent weeks. To charge 5 euros for those is beyond outrageous. Also, your ignorance seems to be borderline stupid: my friend had a diet coke and I wanted one without sweetener ... you should have just told me that you do not have that.

I may indeed have looked miserable when I came in as I was feeling really bad. I also looked miserable when I left as your food made me even more sick as before. Still, tomorrow I will be great again. Your restaurant will very likely still be as...

Myself and my partner visited this beautiful restaurant yesterday evening and it was an absolutely wonderful experience! We arrived whilst the tennis (I think) was on and were seated straight away in a quiet little area by a lovely, polite lady. We were served straight away. Drinks, starters, main and dessert, all of which we thoroughly enjoyed! Everything was fresh, full of flavour and nicely presented. The portion sizes were generous too. The two staff members who served us throughout the evening were absolutely lovely and went above and beyond to give us a great evening. We really enjoyed watching the barman make cocktails, everything he made was like a little work of art! These days, people don't appreciate the great skill that goes into making cocktails etc, but we do! So thank you very much for giving us a wonderful evening, the tastiest food and the best cocktails around! We'll definitely be back again during our stay and very much look...