Restaurante Casa Chico Zé — Restaurant in Lagos

Ein Abschied mit schwerem Herzen

Dieses Restaurant war über 20 Jahre lang ein Stück Zuhause für uns. Ein Ort, an dem man nicht nur gut gegessen, sondern sich willkommen und gesehen gefühlt hat. Es war mehr als ein Restaurant – es war ein Herzensort. Wegen des Essens, ja, aber vor allem wegen der Menschen, die dort gearbeitet haben.

Doch nun... ist alles anders.

Alle langjährigen Mitarbeiter wurden 2025 entlassen. Menschen, die diesen Ort geprägt haben. Die uns mit einem Lächeln begrüßten, wussten, wie wir unseren Wein mögen, und mit echtem Herzblut dabei waren. Sie waren die Seele dieses Hauses – und mit ihnen ist genau diese Seele gegangen.

Das Restaurant wirkt nun leer, auch nicht mehr so voll wie bisher. Das Ambiente ist zwar noch immer geschmackvoll, doch ohne Wärme nützt auch der schönste Raum nichts. Es fühlt sich an wie eine Hülle, ihrer Geschichte beraubt.

Und dann auch noch höhere Preise – für weniger Persönlichkeit, weniger Qualität, weniger Herz.

Wir sind traurig. Enttäuscht. Und auch wütend. Denn so geht man nicht mit Menschen um, die einem über Jahre hinweg treu gedient haben.

Unser Fazit: Danke für die vielen schönen Erinnerungen, für all die besonderen Nachmittage. Wir nehmen sie mit – aber wir kommen nicht zurück.

Englisch: A Goodbye That Truly Hurts

For over 20 years, this was our favorite restaurant. A place that felt like home – not just because of the food, but because of the people. The staff were warm, attentive, skilled, and always made every visit feel special. They were the soul of this place.

Now, heartbreakingly, all of them are gone.

The new management has let go of the entire longtime team – the very people who gave this restaurant its heart and character. In their place? Efficiency over warmth. Routine over soul. It feels hollow now, like a beautiful shell with no life inside.

Yes, the ambiance is still lovely. But many places offer pretty interiors. What made this one special was the human connection – and that's been lost.

To make matters worse, prices have gone up. You're now paying more for less: less heart, less warmth, less authenticity.

We leave not out of anger, but deep disappointment. Thank you for the many beautiful years and memories. But we cannot support a place that treats its people this way. Our loyalty ends where respect for others does.

Goodbye – and truly, thank you for what once was.

Uma despedida que dói no coração

Durante mais de 20 anos, este foi o nosso restaurante favorito. Um lugar que parecia casa – não só pela comida, mas principalmente pelas pessoas. Os funcionários eram calorosos, atenciosos, competentes e faziam de cada visita algo especial. Eles eram a alma deste lugar.

Hoje, tristemente, todos se foram.

A nova gestão decidiu demitir toda a equipe antiga – justamente as pessoas que deram vida, coração e personalidade ao restaurante. No lugar delas? Eficiência sem alma. Atendimento mecânico, sem calor humano. O restaurante parece agora uma casca bonita, mas vazia por dentro.

O ambiente continua agradável, sim. Mas isso muitos oferecem. O que fazia este lugar ser único era a conexão humana – e isso se perdeu.

Para piorar, os preços aumentaram. Agora se paga mais por menos: menos afeto, menos cuidado, menos autenticidade.

Saímos não com raiva, mas com uma profunda decepção. Obrigado pelos anos lindos e pelas memórias especiais. Mas não podemos apoiar um lugar que trata assim as pessoas que fizeram sua história.

Adeus – e, de coração, obrigado por tudo o...

Casa Chico Zé has always been a local gem, but their recent expansion with the new outside area has truly elevated the dining experience! We visited on a Saturday afternoon and were blown away. The atmosphere was absolutely magical. The new outdoor space is beautifully designed, offering a relaxed and inviting setting perfect for enjoying a leisurely meal. The food, as always, was exceptional. Fresh, flavorful, and cooked to perfection – you can taste the passion in every dish. But what truly made our visit unforgettable was the live music! The band created the perfect ambiance, adding a vibrant and joyful energy to the afternoon. It was the perfect blend of delicious food, fantastic music, and a beautiful setting. The service was impeccable. The staff were attentive, friendly, and genuinely cared about our experience. They made us feel incredibly welcome. If you're looking for a delightful dining experience with fantastic food, a wonderful atmosphere, and the added bonus of live music on Saturdays, Restaurante Casa Chico Zé is an absolute must-visit. We can’t wait to return! 5 stars...

I’d heard so many good things about Chico Ze and finally got the chance to try it.

We arrived at lunchtime and ended up sitting at what seemed like the smaller side restaurant next to the main Chico Ze (possibly under a different name, but I think it’s run by the same people).

The queue for the main restaurant was long, but honestly, I loved where we ended up—more local and authentic in feel.

We sat outside in the sun, and the vibe was very relaxed and welcoming.

The waitress didn’t speak English, which was actually a bonus—it gave us the chance to practice our Portuguese and added to the local experience.

We were served a fresh salad, bread, and olives to start, and for the main we had grilled dorada (sea bream).

It was incredible—hands down the best fish I’ve eaten in the Algarve, maybe even all of Portugal. Perfectly cooked, sooo meaty, and full of flavour.

Whether it’s the side spot or the main Chico Ze, the quality of food speaks for itself.

5* from me—authentic, delicious, and I’ll definitely be...