Authentic Restaurant — Restaurant in Loulé

A visit to Authentic has been on our radar for a while, following the Instagram posts of finedining_wine_lover . Last night we finally got to experience a meal at this stunning restaurant, and it didn't disappoint! The first thing that strikes you is the beautiful architecture of the building and it's terrace (complete with stage and live band). It's very contemporary with high quality finishes everywhere. The greeting at the front door was very warm, and we were quickly shown to a lovely table on the terrace (which appears to be suspended above a pool complete with tropical fish!) The jazz trio on the stage helped to create a refined atmosphere, and we knew we were in for a very special evening! We decided to begin the evening with a glass of champagne, and were amazed that Authentic have a cart offering 5 different champagnes by the glass, and the sommelier (who is VERY knowledgeable and super friendly) took time to explain the characteristics of each of them. We were very.pleased with our choice! The menu isn't huge at Authentic, but we both decided on the sautéed prawns for a starter and 'surf and turf' for our main. We spent some time looking through the wine list, which offers very good quality wines ranging from 28€ to 20,000€ (yes, really!) We decided to ask the sommelier for some guidance, and based on the dishes we'd ordered, and our preference for a dry white, she suggested 2. We asked her to choose, and loved the wine that was delivered to the table so much that we bought another one to take home! She could have selected anything, but the wine she identified was just 30€! The food was simply faultless! Everything cooked to perfection and delivered to the table piping hot! The fillet steaks were probably the most tender and succulent that we have ever had! We rounded the evening off with a whisky sour from the restaurant's cocktail menu. By now, we had come to expect perfection. It was delivered! An evening at Authentic isn't cheap, but it is excellent value for money. If its within your budget - don't miss it. It really is a very...

If you want an expensive evening out, this is the place to go. There is a fine selection of food, including some quite well priced caviar, which is served with great ceremony. The service is friendly but probably falls a little short of the level needed at this price point. The location is also a bit of a let-down with a cellphone mast overshadowing the outside dining area. On the positive side though the food is of a good standard and well presented and the restaurant itself is modern and of a high standard (although not traditional Portuguese by any means). There is a good selection of wines, again towards the more expensive end of the spectrum and you do need to ask to speak to the sommelier to get a decent recommendation. Overall though a nice experience, provided you don’t mind...

Absolutely the best steak I’ve had in the Algarve! I’ve lived here for four years, and while many restaurants in the area charge premium prices without delivering premium quality, this place truly stands out. The food quality is consistently exceptional, and Oscar, the manager, always provides a warm and welcoming service. There’s even a pianist adding a special touch to the dining experience.

There are certainly other local restaurants in the area offering great food at lower prices, authentically casual and excellent in their own way. But if you’re looking for top-quality food and reliable service, this restaurant definitely delivers. Highly...