Spikes — Restaurant in Loulé

Spikes is a popular, modern style sports bar within the VDL golf course development. The watering hole. The 19th course. It therefore fits the space as a place to quick sink beers or munch a sandwich between the front and back nine or after the 18th. However, Spikes has two main areas that stop it from being - in my view - deserving of the prime location.

First, the outside area desperately needs a face lift. Umbrellas are moulding, the decor is utilitarian. The inside is better than the outside, which does not make sense. People come to Portugal to sit outside. Give the people what they came for.

Second, the menu is confused and overpriced. Spikes’ menu reads like an international hotel that tries to please everyone aimlessly without focus.

A modern Portuguese menu celebrating local food with no more than five obvious international options (burger, pizza, pasta) is sufficient. Instead the menu is everywhere and nothing stands out. I have not any thing memorable for the right reasons.

Spikes could be great but it benefits solely from its location and therefore rests on that advantage. Competition would quickly show daylight between its average and where it...

As a golfer I always wanted to visit the Vale de Lobo golf course. Since we were staying close by in Albufeira, we decided to have lunch there to soak up the atmosphere. Our visit unfortunately did not start well. The smallish car park was full and it was almost impossible to park anywhere close to the restaurant. We eventually found a parking spot a few hundred yards away and walked back. On entering the restaurant, I was really impressed with the atmosphere. Although it was quite busy with other people having lunch as well as golfers enjoying a drink / meal after their round of golf, there were still plenty of places to sit. The service was also friendly and efficient. We both ordered a light snack. My wife had panko gamaba’s which she enjoyed, while I had the “piri piri” chicken wings. The chicken wings were unfortunately more dry than succulent and there was little trace of any “piri piri” flavor . The extra side dish of french fries was ok but nothing special. The prices at the golf course are higher than the average price for the same quality of food elsewhere in The Algarve, but given the reputation and location of the golf course, this was to...

We were having our morning walk and decided do have a break and refreshment at Spikes. Once we ask the bill we were informed that there was a minimum consumption of 10 euros and we were not able to pay by card, after being told to go and redraw money we found the ATM machine not working. We apologiese and explained to the staff which for our surprise insisted we should pay twice as much to fulfill the minimum requirement. If we were informed ahead of time of this 'rule' we would have ordered to larger amount. But the staff was extreamly rude to us and insisted of charging 10 euros for a bottle of water. In the end after a long talk we were charged the amount consumed as well as told that management does not need clients like us and we won't be attended next time we come! That was a a shock to us and after this comment we asked to speak with the management and complaints book. None of this was provided. It's such a pity to have a beautiful spot which such a terrible service. This place is not...