Restaurante Casa da Igreja

Worth the wait :) simple, consistent and genuine. Thank you for having us!!

Walk up the hill and you will lose your breath -that’s not only because you are out of shape but because restaurante casa da igreja is situated in the breathtaking town square of Cacela Velha. Your meal will begin at a black bench across the cobbled street from the church. We came to learn that a selection of goat’s milk cheeses is a customary start before the glowing stainless steel trays of seafood start trickling out to the table. Large oysters with a saline punch that gives way to beautiful sweetness, mini prawns fried in clarified butter and garlic that we were eating like popcorn, and clams that made us want to cry, but we held our tears back so we could continue guzzling our ice cold vinho verde. Make sure to keep a tight grip on your glass or it will slip from your hand that is most likely covered in the most delicious prawn head juice. In your other hand softly grip a piece of bread so you can drain the golden sea of clam juice at the bottom of the aforementioned glowing steel tray. Once you have filled your big mouth with the ocean of the algarve you can waddle across the stones to the church and purchase multiple slices of cake from the ladies who pile you up with paper towels full of carrot, banana, and almond cake. Have a couple bites and quietly walk yourself out of Cacela Velha wondering where you just were and whether or not you will have another food experience like that for the rest of your days.

Just go… expect to wait unless you sit at a table before 16:30, when it opens. Go with friends and take the whole menu… it’s all great! Half bottles of wine is a bright concept; stay cool and mix it up. A brilliant restaurant in the most beautiful location!

Beautiful place where you can sit outside and eat portuguese "petiscos", from clams to shrimps to oysters, to local cheese and chouriço assado, olives, e don't forget the delicious bread algarvio that goes with everything. And fresh light portuguese beer or green wine. This place is always busy, and no reservations, so you must be early to get a table.

Great seafood, we reordered the gambas fritas! Tip: Come early and put your name on the reservation list.