AllGarbe — Restaurant in Portimão

Located in the charming coastal town of Portimão, Allgarbe is a culinary masterpiece that offers a truly exceptional dining experience. During my recent visit to this establishment, I had the pleasure of discovering a world of exquisite flavors, impeccable service, and an ambiance that is nothing short of mesmerizing. It is with great enthusiasm that I bestow upon Allgarbe a well-deserved 5-star review.

From the moment I stepped foot into Allgarbe, I was greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff's genuine enthusiasm and professionalism immediately put me at ease. One standout member of the team is Sommelier Diogo, whose passion for wine and impeccable recommendations added an extra layer of delight to our dining experience. His expertise in pairing wines with our meal was truly impressive.

One of the unique features of Allgarbe that immediately caught my attention was the stunning aquariums that adorn the restaurant. These aquatic showcases not only enhance the ambiance but also serve as a testament to the restaurant's dedication to fresh seafood. Being able to admire live marine life while savoring a meal adds a distinctive touch to the dining experience.

The Grilled Sea Bass I ordered was a revelation. Cooked to perfection and seasoned with an exquisite blend of herbs and spices, it melted in my mouth, leaving a symphony of flavors. The Sautéed Shrimp was equally delightful, showcasing the culinary expertise of the kitchen. But that's not all – Allgarbe also excels in land-based dishes. The succulent Steak, perfectly grilled to your preference. And the Mushroom Medley, a savory blend of assorted mushrooms sautéed to a golden brown, added a delightful earthy note to the meal. To top it all off, the Cheese Platter was a delightful conclusion, featuring a curated selection of local and imported cheeses that paired wonderfully with a glass of fine wine. The seafood here is undoubtedly a highlight, but Allgarbe's diverse menu ensures that every palate is treated to a memorable culinary experience. It's a must-visit for any food enthusiast.

Despite the high-quality cuisine and exceptional service, what pleasantly surprised me was the affordability of the dishes at Allgarbe. Given the restaurant's commitment to using the finest ingredients, the price points are more than reasonable. This is a rarity in the world of fine dining, making Allgarbe a gem for those seeking excellent value for their money without compromising on quality.

Allgarbe's wine selection is extensive, offering a diverse array of options, both local and international. As mentioned earlier, Sommelier Diogo's guidance was invaluable in choosing the perfect wine to accompany our meal. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or simply seeking a delightful pairing, you'll find the ideal selection here.

No visit to Allgarbe is complete without indulging in their dessert offerings. Each dessert is a work of art, beautifully presented and a perfect conclusion to a remarkable meal.

The service at Allgarbe deserves special mention. The staff's dedication to creating a memorable dining experience is palpable. Their attentiveness, knowledge, and genuine passion for their craft elevate the overall experience, leaving guests feeling truly valued and cared for!

In conclusion, Allgarbe in Portimão is a culinary gem that left an indelible mark on my palate and memory. The combination of top-notch service, captivating ambiance, and outstanding cuisine makes it a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and travelers alike. I wholeheartedly bestow upon Allgarbe a well-deserved 5-star rating and eagerly anticipate my next visit to this culinary haven. Thank you, Allgarbe, for creating an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the flavors of the sea and the heart...

A decent seafood restaurant in downtown Portimão, but not outstanding.

I remember seeing this restaurant under renovation and hearing it would be a classy seafood place for Portimão. Almost everyone we know has been here at least once! It is attempting to bring a slightly more refined experience to Portimão marisqueira.

The decor is traditional, and the space is large but divided up into various rooms, like an old house. The staff are all polite and helpful. It seems to attract a mix of tourists, especially for the music nights, and locals looking for a fancier date night feeling.

The host at the front door is super nice. He really makes you feel welcome.

We booked through The Fork and we're seated in this side room. Now, I am guessing this is where they put everyone who books through the Fork, because it's off to the side of the main room down a corridor that leads to the kitchen, not a lot bigger than a big closet and with kind of the same ambience.

The night we were there, it seemed as if 50-75% of the seafood menu was not available. It is not like it's not the season for some of these options, as they were available in the market that day and at other seafood restaurants in the area. It was pretty disappointing to go to a higher-class marisqueira and not be able to order most of the seafood we wanted. So, we ended up getting the same old things you could get at any Portuguese restaurant: grilled fish, rock crab, and prawns.

The "giant" prawn was not giant at all. It was slightly bigger than usual and came on a sad-looking, nearly-empty plate. There was nothing special about it, taste or presentation-wise.

The sole was a small, nice fish, and expertly-cooked, but it wasn't mind-blowing. It was just the same as usual. Grilled with some salt.

Crab was cold. I don't know if this is a Portuguese thing as it seems to be common here. Other countries I've been too (with the exception of the resort buffet in Cuba), if you order whole crab, they cook it to order. They don't precook it, put it in a fridge, and then serve it cold who knows how much later (hours? days?). When I go to a fresh seafood restaurant, I expect freshly cooked seafood. When cold, it loses natural flavours and aromas that come out during heating and gives the impression of a cheap buffet.

The garlic flatbread was delicious though! The salad was bright and fresh. And the dessert was quite good too. Very sugary but a good slice of cake.

Our server for the majority was a wonderful lady that we liked a lot. However, at the end of the night (perhaps her shift was over), service went down. We flagged another server down and asked for the bill, and they nodded. By this point, we were feeling forgotten in this sideroom. We waited about 20 minutes as nobody came. We had to go up and ask for the bill like it is some snackbar.

Anyway, it's a nice place for a semi-casual date. Not sure it's worth full price, and I'm glad we did The Fork 50% discount. For what we paid, it was good value. The lack of seafood selection, the strange ambience in the side room, and the basic preparation of dishes are great for tourists or people looking for traditional fare,...

I was exploring Portimao on the second to last day of my holiday. I was staying in Praia De Rocha and had eaten at the top rated TripAdvisor places there which were ok but nothing special. In any case I was wandering around and I saw a restaurant called AllGarbe (the original Moorish name for the Algarve if you have been listening to your tour guides) that was highly rated and I thought why not?

The decor is clean and modern. I saw a pizza oven when I first went in and my heart sank a little as I was after some fish. I later found out that they use the oven to bake their own bread and do pizzas on the side because they might as well.

I grabbed a seat and asked the waiter for a recommendation. I was walked over to the fresh fish and the waiter suggested a slice of grouper. I also saw a few oysters and asked for some as a starter.

I asked a glass of white (it was lunchtime after all) and was brought the house wine which was excellent. The oysters came simply shucked on ice. They were clearly very very fresh and lovely.

I had been shown the exact slice of fish they were going to cook for me but as far as I was concerned, it was a slice of fish. It was cooked on the bone with some baby baked potatoes and a kind of salsa on a separate plate. It was genuinely delicious. Certainly the best dish I had in Portugal during my stay. I ate the lot, including all of the salsa and the home made bread, and indeed homemade butter also.

I ask for a recommended dessert and got a Portuguese thing with almonds. Quite sweet, but not really my thing.

Afterwards I was shown round by the manager who comes from Manchester but who isn't a football fan.

Like lots of people I suppose I only ever write these things if something is particularly good or particularly bad. This was particularly good.

When I got the bill I could barely believe it. I have often paid twice as much to get something not as good.

In a nutshell this place has the ingredients - fish caught the night before - and the execution - an excellent chef who was brought in when the restaurant opened.

If you like good fish and seafood this place is an absolute must.

A special thanks to the manager Eddie and his team. My waiter whose name I didn't catch (sorry), was excellent and genuinely wanted me to enjoy myself, the chef Rosa who I met briefly at the end of the meal, and the rest of the staff including a lady who made sure my drinks were sorted and brought out much of the food were all exemplary.

Go there, and ask them what is good that day. You won't be...