FERMENTO food & wine — Restaurant in Vila do Bispo

What a great find! This little restaurant is absolutely worth it. Just a heads-up, you’ll need to book in advance (it’s small and very popular). And for good reason. I ended up going two nights in a row because I was so impressed after my first visit.

The first night, I couldn’t decide what to order since everything on the menu looked amazing. Then I noticed they had a tasting menu with wine pairings. Best decision ever. It was truly divine. The wines were unique, some I had never tried before, and the pairings were spot on. Plus, the sommelier herself came to serve each glass and explain the wine, which made the experience even better.

The staff here is very professional, which makes the whole experience feel even more special. The restaurant itself is beautiful too, definitely an exceptional place.

The next night, I came back to try dishes à la carte and got to taste a wider variety from the menu.

Since everything on the menu looks tempting and it can be hard to choose if you don’t go for the tasting menu, here’s what I thought of each dish I tried.

To start, the homemade sourdough bread with sour butter was outstanding. The bread itself was incredible, but the butter… honestly, I could have eaten it by the spoonful. So rich, tangy, and just addictive.

Then came the raw oyster with kombucha vinegar. They make their own kombucha here. It was a large, generous oyster and the flavor was fantastic.

Next, I tried the raw fish plate, which included two types of shrimp, tuna tartare, and ceviche. It was my first time eating raw shrimp, and I was blown away… so fresh and delicious. The tuna tartare was a bit bland in my opinion, and the ceviche leaned a little too vinegary for my taste, but overall it was still a very enjoyable dish.

I also had the whole grilled fish. Honestly, out of all the dishes I tried, this one was probably the most disappointing. The sautéed mushrooms on the side were the highlight of the dish, but the fish itself was a bit plain and, of course, fiddly with all the bones. It was a simple white fish that didn’t have much flavor, so for me it was just okay.

The fermented gazpacho, on the other hand, was a total standout. Beautifully presented, refreshing, and packed with flavor. I loved it.

The deep-fried crunchy and soft egg was another winner. Perfectly crispy outside with that luscious runny yolk inside… just delicious.

Their potato and tomato gnocchi with ricotta and eggplant was also excellent. On its own, it was already very good, but with the wine pairing, the whole dish was elevated to another level.

And then, the pork belly. Probably the best pork belly I’ve ever had. The outside was perfectly crisp, the meat was meltingly tender, and the seasoning was spot on. They even gave me a butter knife instead of a sharp one, but it didn’t matter. That’s how tender it was.

For dessert, I started with the roasted sweet potatoes glazed with honey and served with burnt rosemary cream. Honestly, I never imagined eating sweet potatoes as a dessert, but this was outstanding, creative, surprising, and absolutely delicious.

I also had the fresh figs with ice cream and a kombucha-balsamic sauce. Out of the three desserts, this one was my favorite. Light, refreshing, and bursting with flavor… simple yet unforgettable.

Finally, I tried the “Choco,” a hazelnut chocolate terrine with mango jam and a wasabi cream. It’s quite a generous portion, so I’d recommend sharing. Out of the three desserts, this was my least favorite. It was well executed, and the wasabi twist definitely made it stand out, but otherwise it felt a bit heavy and overly sweet for me. Still, if you’re a chocolate lover, it’s worth a try.

All in all, Fermento is a true gem. I can only wish you enjoy it as much as I did...

Fermento is a must for anyone who is visiting the West Algarve or in fact, the Algarve in general. If you are interested in eating good, honest fare made up of incredible ingredients from some of the best independent producers in the region, and surrounding regions you can't miss it.

The people at Fermento care about the future of food, and indeed, creating a warm, knowledgable and hospitable experience, probably led by their Italian roots. Food is not just to be consumed here but savoured, talked about, and beguiled over.

Cinzia welcomed us during the later sitting of their lunchtime, without a reservation (although I highly recommend to book to avoid disappointment), on the pretty terrace. We ordered their homemade prickly pear, and barley and lemon kombucha to start - so tasty. Followed by a bottle of skin contact wine from an organic producers near their hometown, that she helped us choose from their incredibly curated wine list (one of the best in the country for low intervention, organic and natural wine).

To eat, the plates are designed to share and come from the kitchen as and when they are ready, all super well priced considering the quality of the product, and beautifully presented. A blend of Italian cooking and Portuguese passion. The bread is all homemade, and we had a delicious sour butter to spread on it, fermented at home was amazing. The squid ink pasta with cuttlefish ragout was a real winner. A super fresh salad (not your average salad!) was full of texture, crunch and seasonal, some wild foraged, ingredients like fennel stalks. Inventive but also comforting. Fish caught off the Algarve coastline by the owners network of fishermen doesn't get more fresh as when you see it arriving and being selected by the chef off the boat infront of you (something that might happen while you are sat on the terrace!).

We made a day trip to Sagres as we are based closer to Faro just to eat here and we would do it again 100 times. In the summer we'll do it and spend the day on the beach first. Heaven! Thank you to the team for putting so much creativity, curiosity, and dedication into...

At Fermento, every dish tells a story of passion, skill, and meticulous attention to detail. This is not your average dining experience. it’s a celebration of flavors thoughtfully curated by a team that clearly knows their craft.

We started with the ceviche of the day an extraordinary creation that redefined the genre. Bursting with unexpected flavors, it was anything but ordinary. Then came the black garlic and shallot butter, paired with house-made bread and focaccia. each bite of the focaccia practically melting in the mouth, a testament to their mastery of baking.

The mains continued to impress: the calamarata pasta was sublime, perfectly executed with a depth of flavor that lingered. The wild boar lasagna and beef tongue were equally remarkable, showcasing bold yet balanced flavors. Every dish felt like a work of art, underscored by a deep understanding of ingredients and techniques.

Some may call it expensive, but I challenge anyone to find cuisine of this caliber at such fair prices. The value lies not just in the ingredients, but in the thought, research, and craftsmanship behind every plate.

And then came dessert. The pear tart was sheer joy on the palate, while the cappuccino paired with house-made croissants was nothing short of divine, a perfect ending to an impeccable meal.

Fermento isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a showcase of culinary excellence. If you’re looking for cheap thrills, this isn’t the place. But if you value creativity, precision, and an unforgettable dining experience, Fermento delivers on every level. Five stars,...