A Charrete — Restaurant in Monchique

This was easily one of the best meals of my life. It’s truly a hidden gem of traditional Portuguese cuisine, made with local ingredients in a place that feels like it could be grandma’s house. We came with no reservations and were accommodated simply because we came just as they opened and were the first people in the door. I’d highly recommend reservations.

There are few accommodations made for tourists, so be prepared to exercise your menu translator for the specials of the day, but the work is worth it. There is an English menu for the standard dishes.

Nearby parking is nonexistent, so park some distance away and walk. Because it’s in an old building, it’s also not handicapped-accessible.

Expect to pay, but not unreasonably so for the quality — wine, appetizer, two entrees and a...

Great local Monchique food, with pleasant staff and a nice ambient.

This restaurant is decorated with a genuine vintage look of a fifties local grocery shop. New outdoor seating has been added recently to answer to Covid health demands and maintain the number of seats while keeping social distance.

Food here is fresh and home made the traditional way, no frozen potato chips or fast food. You can find traditional Monchique dishes like stuffed squids, Calatroia (stew with cabbage and cured meats) as well as local pork and charcoal grilled meat and fish.

Along with a great selection of wines you will also find locally made deserts like home made ice-creams, various puddings and crepes with dried fruits and nuts, and bolo de tacho (a dense corn based cake like desert...

Utterly terrific. We visited Monchique on a weekend when the clouds had descended on the town. It was atmospheric to say the very least. A Charrette was the perfect restaurant for an evening. We had starters, mains and unbelievable local desserts.

The team were awesome, funny, accommodating and knowledgeable. Have the pork and orange lard starter, calorific and delicious. We had a bottle of Vinho Verde and Red, both great choices from the team :).

The mains were ace, we went for the Lamb Charrette style which we devoured and the Monkfish and Prawn dish.

We closed the night with local dessert from the fridge and the local fire water. Genuinely fabulous experience. Authentic, delicious, welcoming and fun.

We will be coming back when we return to the region.

Rich and...