Solar do Perceve — Restaurant in Vila do Bispo

I recently had the chance to try this place, and while some elements stood out, others left me a bit underwhelmed.

Starting with the percebes (goose barnacles) – they were unfortunately a letdown. While I was hoping for that intense, briny burst of ocean flavor that fresh percebes are known for, these were rather bland. They lacked the signature sea essence that makes them such a delicacy, which was disappointing given their reputation and price point.

On a more positive note, the amêijoas à Bulhão Pato were quite enjoyable. The clams were fresh, tender, and bathed in a fragrant garlic, olive oil, and cilantro sauce that was both delicate and full of flavor. This dish truly captured the spirit of Portuguese coastal cuisine and stood out as the highlight of the meal.

Overall, it was a mixed experience. The service was courteous, and the ambiance pleasant, but the quality of the percebes did bring the overall impression down a notch. Still, worth a visit – especially...

Very nice position. In May we easily parked. They don't take credit card payments and the waitress has been pretty unfriendly already when we asked if the could process card payments. However, there is an ATM behind the corner. The service has been very poor from the beginning until the end as 2 of the 3 waiters completely ignored the table and the third one always showcased no interest in serving us and did not try to accommodate any request (E.g. Swapping boiled potatoes with fries). Their English is ok to order and have a very basic conversation. The food is ok but definitely below standards in Portugal and also overpriced. Portions are smaller than other restaurants. We ordered bread and butter, a fish soup, stuffed squids and two desserts (in the pictures). Nothing special. Definitely, we...

Holy moly this place is the real deal. We were looking for a comfortable atmosphere with seafood delicacies, we were not disappointed. A spectacled and charismatic young chap delivered excellent service throughout: when we asked about the percebes in the fridge (search goose barnacle if you're unsure) he recommended we try a small portion as an appetizer. These were a new experience for us, absolutely sumptuous and satisfying. The fish stew we ordered for main was perfect. Everything was reasonably priced, all in all a real find during low...