6 Restaurants to Experience in the Algarve

“After a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relations.” 
― Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No Importance. When you are on holiday, you want to treat yourself to the best meals in the area. We have decided to treat you to a list of some of the tastiest places in the Algarve. No not only the expensive top restaurants, but also the budget gems. These are all within a 45min drive of the Beach Club.

Enjoy:

Henrique Leis (Almancil)

Website: http://www.henriqueleis.com/
One Michelin Star Restaurant
Certificate of Excellence 2013
Call (+351) 289393438
Open: dinners only (closed Sunday and Monday)






Henrique Leis is a fantastic restaurant based in Almancil. It is not the cheapest place in the world but it will definitely be worth every single penny. (At an average food without wine is around €60) The restaurant offers excellent food and a perfectly romantic atmosphere. We can assure you, you will walk out smiling. If there is somewhere worth spending that little bit more for, this is it. Booking in advance is recommended.

Vila Joya (Albufeira)

Website: http://www.vilajoya.com/en/cuisine/2-michelin-star-restaurant/
Two Michelin Stars Restaurant
Call (+351) 289 591 795
Open: Thursday to Tuesday for lunch and dinner.




If you are looking for a romantic place with good service and great food this is one of our best suggestions for you. Vila Joya offers a variety of food to the highest standard. If you have a special occasion or simply feel like treating a loved one this is the place to go. This is a very exclusive restaurant, which is based in a boutique hotel so booking in advance would be recommended. The prices aren’t exactly low, but that can only be expected going to a two Michelin star restaurant. Booking in advance is recommended.

3wonders(Loule)

Website: http://www.3wonders.pt/
Call (+351) 289 462 838
3Wonders by the road that connects Loulé to Goldra,
in Alto do Relógio, Betunes
Open: Monday-Saturday 17.00 - 23.00 
Closed on Sunday




If you want to find delicious food with a unique view, this is the place for you! 3Wonders has a spectacular panoramic terrace, located up in the hills in Loulé facing the valley and the sea in the horizon. They offer a great variety of food, from hot and cold tapas in the afternoon together with the famous Vienna coffee. They also offer a superb variety of international cuisine in the evening. A perfect romantic setting but some nights there are themed nights and live music, for those of you who prefer that. As well as this, they have a lovely gin bar and signature cocktails available.

A Quinta (Loule)

Website: http://www.aquintarestaurant.com/
Call (+351) 289 393357
Rua Vale Formoso, Almancil, Loule, Algarve
Open: Monday - Saturday
. Dinner: 19.00 – 22.30
 - Closed all day Sunday




A Quinta is a restaurant that you will not regret going to. It is based in Loule with a lovely view and ambiance. The food is delightful and so are the delicious traditional Portuguese wines. They offer everything from fresh fish and meats to the vegetarian options available. This is a great for going with a group of friends, or as a couple. Booking in advance is recommended.

Pig & Whistle (Almancil)

Website: http://en.thepigandwhistle.pt/
Call (+351) 289 395 216
Main Street towards Faro, Almancil 8135, Portugal.
Open: Every day from 6pm until 2am.


If you are on a budget, but you still want to have an enjoyable meal, Pig & Whistle have what you are looking for. The restaurant is based in the heart of Almancil and offers a variety of great dishes. It is a small and cosy restaurant with a great vibe. The staff members are very friendly and you can be sure to find something you like on the menu. Booking in advance is recommended.

Albatroz Restaurant in Dunas Douradas Beach Club (Almancil)

Website: http://www.ddbc.pt/bars-and-restaurants-algarve/albatroz-restaurant/
Call: (+351) 289 351 300
Dunas Douradas Beach Club, Sítio do Garrão, Apartado 3164
8135-902 Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
Open: Every day. Breakfast 9am-11am - Lunch 12pm-5.30-pm - Dinner 7pm-11pm


Albatroz, is a restaurant based within a 5 star resort on the coast. This restaurant is perfect for families and groups of people because of the amount of both indoor and outdoor space. In the summer time there is a kids area available while you eat and the restaurant offers live music on selective nights. The food consists of everything from Scandinavian to English as well as Portuguese cuisine. With the lovely sea view and super friendly staff, you are sure to have a great breakfast lunch or dinner here.

---

We hope you enjoyed reading about some of our favourite places in the Algarve. Have you tried any of these restaurants? Do you have any more suggestions worth mentioning in our continuing restaurant posts in the future?
Please comment below or feedback on our Facebook page

Weddings 2014 at the Beach Club

Planning to get married next year? The Beach Club has beautiful grounds for the setting of your ceremony and will take care of all the details that will make your special day unforgettable.
Your family and friends can stay at our luxury apartments, enjoying magnificent views and 5 star facilities.
Our restaurant will be pleased to organize a menu for the reception, according to your taste, special decoration and a photographer.
 

We still have some dates available in May and October 2014. Book your dream wedding now sending an e-mail to the restaurant manager.

 

Fifth Anniversary of the Beach Club goes with a bang!

More than 100 owners and guests gathered on the evening of 12th October, 2013 to celebrate the fifth aniversary of the Dunas Douradas Beach Club in style, in the comfortable surroundings of the Albatroz restaurant. The invited guest list included Mr Trond Vikre, the Norwegian Consul in the Algarve and Algarve MP Dr. José Mendes Bota. 

The welcome was made by Dunas Douradas Beach Club CEO, Evy Ougendal and an after-dinner speech was made by the Chairman of the Owners' Committee, Colin Dixon. An auction organised by committee member, Hassan Dahabiyeh and chief receptionist, Nelson Santos, raised over €4,000 for a local childrens' charity. 

The event was rounded off by a fireworks display.

Cycling in the Algarve

With the superb tracks available in the Algarve, both on and off-road, cycling enthusiasts are drawn to the region, be they professional or amateur.  Some of the world's leading professional teams, such as Sky, Omega Pharma and Saxo Bank come to the Algarve for training and to compete in the "Volta do Algarve" in February.

We have a special package for amateur enthusiasts, with the addition of  many options through our health club in terms of training, classes and spa treatments.

For reservations contact us through rentals@ddbc.pt

Pool Party - 18th August 2013

Following the great success of the July pool party,  the Beach Club will be hosting a similar event on the evening of 18th August. It wiil feature a spectacular buffet dinner,  delicious fresh fish and meat BBQ, showcooking, live music under the charming algarvian stars and lots of fun for all ages.

All are welcome, so bring your friends and family to spend a fabulous time. 

For more information and reservations, please call 289351300.

 

4th Modeling Kids Event - 31st July 2013

Dunas Douradas Beach Club invites all clients & friends to bring their children to participate in our 4º Kids fashion show!
Great evening dedicated to the young boys and girls.
Sign in asap, limited places!Trainning work shop tues 5pm to 7pm
Call Dunas gym 289 351 352

To book your dinner, please call 289 351 300

 

Pool Party / Festa da Piscina

Pool Party / Festa da Piscina

Sunday, 21st July 2013 / Domingo, 21 de Julho 2013

Join us for a fantastic evening filled with live music and several food stations around the pool, including "show cooking" with our chef preparing his specialities.

We will be serving a delicious fesh fish and meat BBQ, a tempting fresh seafood buffet and a children's buffet.

Bring your family for a great evening by the pool side.
Please call 289351300 and book now!

Junte-se a nós para uma noite fantástica e cheia de animação. Teremos várias "estações" de comida em diferentes pontos ao redor da piscina, incluindo  show cooking com o nosso chef a preparar as suas especialidades.

Serviremos um delicioso churrasco de peixe e carne, um delicioso buffet de mariscos, além do buffet infantil.

Traga a família e venha passar uma noite agradável à beira da piscina do Beach Club.

Reserve já pelo telefone 289351300

Verão 2013

O Verão já chegou no Algarve e os dias de praia, sol e calor serão, mais uma vez, a maior atração juntamente com noites de muita animação e entretenimento.

Se está a planear as suas férias de Verão, aqui no Dunas Douradas Beach Club, poderá nos contactar para adicionar alguns extras à sua reserva, como por exemplo, marcação de voltas de golfe, champagne na chegada, pacotes preparados para churrasco, produtos essenciais para pequeno-almoço, etc.  Envie-nos um e-mail para recep@ddbc.pt com o seu pedido.

Também já se encontram disponíveis as marcações para o Verão 2014. Poderá pesquisar no nosso website as datas que deseja  para as suas próximas férias, assim como as variadas opções em termos de alojamento e preços. Nossos luxuosos apartamentos irão acomoda-lo a si e à sua família com o máximo de conforto e estilo. Também temos 8 moradias de luxo para famílias maiores. 
O Dunas Douradas Beach Club conta com excelentes facilidades como, restaurante, piscinas exteriores e interior aquecida, sauna, ginásio e spa.

O Beach Club está magnificamente situado entre os luxuosos resorts da Quianta do Lago e Vale do Lobo, no litoral algarvio e beneficia de uma localização invejável.

Faça já a sua reserva e venha aproveitar as suas próximas férias de verão connosco.

10th June - Portugal's National Day

 

10th June is known as Day of Portugal, Camões and the Portuguese Communities. Although, officially observed only in Portugal, Portuguese citizens and emigrants throughout the world celebrate this holiday. 

Here at Dunas Douradas Beach Club we will be having a "Flavours of Portugal" lunch buffet to commemorate this special day.

Please call 289351300 to book your table.

Louletano - Dunas Douradas Beach Club cyclist wins first rece of the Portuguese Cup

On Saturday 25th May, the Argentinian cyclist, Jorge Montenegro, won the first race in the Portuguese Cup series, in Vila Nova de Cacela, near Tavira in the Algarve.

After the race, Jorge said "I felt well and the team supported me. Mika (Micael Isidoro) and Raul did a fantastic job.  I am dedicating this victory to my 10 month old son and to this wonderful team that really works as a team".

Xlll Annual Charity Lunch

For the forth consecutive year, the Dunas Douradas Beach Club held host to the Annual Charity Lunch in aid of three local institutions for the care of the handicapped.  More than 180 people turned up to enjoy all of the fun and a wonderful buffet lunch put on by the hard-working Albatroz restaurant team.

The associations are NECI (Núcleo de Educação da Criança Inadaptada), APEXA (Associação de Apoio à Pessoa Excepcional do Algarve) and Existir.  As usual, the day was organised with the maximum efficiency by Mo and Gwenda Daud and Carla Sousa.   Special thanks are also given to the volunteer clowns, the musician and life guards who gave their time free of charge and to the donations received from so many contributors that went directly to the charities.

Dunas Douradas Beach Club CEO, Evy Ougendal receiving a present from one of the participants

New Albatroz summer menu

The new menus for the summer will be available mid-May in the Albatroz restaurant.  With the weather warming-up nicely, it is very pleasant to sit on the deck overlooking the lake with the beautiful Atlantic Ocean in the background. Lunch service is from 12.00 to 17.30. Prices quoted have Value Added Tax included.

The new menus are as follows:

 Cover charge € 2,50
Bread, butter, olives, olive oil, daily salad(Eg: feta cheese, mushrooms, cod fish salad,… )

STARTERS
Today’s Home Made Soup € 4,00
Gaspacho (V) € 4,00
Famous Andalusian tomato soup, served cold
Scandinavian Fish Soup € 7,50
Creamy fish soup with vegetables, shrimps, mussels and a variety of fish
Garlic Bread (plain or with cheese) € 3,50 / € 4,00
Baguette with garlic and oregano
Prawns “ Al Guillo” € 14,95
Fresh prawns Cooked in olive oil, white wine, garlic and coriander
Clams “Bulhão Pato” € 16,00
Fresh clams cooked in traditional Portuguese style in garlic and coriander
Gravad lax (Scandinavian Speciality) € 9,50
Cured salmon, served with toast and mustard sauce
“Skagen Toast” (Scandinavian Speciality) € 11,25
Icelandic prawns dressed with dill and mayonnaise, served with toast
“Dunas Antipasti” (for 2) € 21,00
Sautéed mushrooms, selection of cheese, liver pate, selection of cured meat and toast
“Dunas” Tapas (for 2) €17.50
Our chef’s selection of tapas: Tomato and mozzarella, prawns & avocado and vegetarian samosas with sweet chilli dip

TOASTIES and SANDWICHES
Toasties € 5,00
Ham, cheese, ham and cheese, cheese and tomato
Tuna Baguette € 6,50
Tuna paste, lettuce and tomato
Chicken Baguette € 6,50
Smoked chicken paste, lettuce and tomato
Ham and Cheese Baguette € 5,00
Ham, cheese, lettuce and tomato
Club Sandwich € 11,50
Mayonnaise, lettuce, smoked chicken, bacon, egg and tomato served with fries
Steak Sandwich € 11,50
Minute steak and fried onions, in ciabatta bead, served with fries

SALADS
Caesar Salad (Chicken or Prawn) € 10,95 / €13,50
Chicken or prawns, romaine lettuce, crispy bacon, garlic croutons and shaved parmesan cheese finished with a Caesar dressing
Niçoise Salad € 10,50
Tuna fish, tomato, egg, onions, lettuce and potato, finished with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Tomato and Mozzarella € 12,50
Tomato and buffalo mozzarella salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Chicken Salad € 11,50
Breaded chicken breast dressed with wasabi sauce and served over a selection of lettuce, rocket and spinach salad
Prawn and Avocado Salad € 12,00
Avocado with lettuce, shrimps and cocktail sauce
Prawn and Pineapple Salad € 12,50
Quarter of a fresh pineapple topped with lettuce and prawns, dressed with a cocktail sauce
Greek Salad €10.50
Romaine lettuce, peppers, tomato, feta cheese, olives, red onions and toast, dressed with red-wine vinaigrette

WRAPS AND BURGERS
Tandoori Chicken Wrap € 10,00
Chicken tenderloins seasoned with tandoori paste, spinach leaves and yoghurt, served with fries
Vegetarian Wrap (Melt) (V) € 10,50
Mozzarella cheese, tomato and pesto sauce, served with fries
Tuna Wrap € 10,00
Tuna, boiled egg, lettuce and tomato, served with fries
“Dunas” Burger € 12,50
Prime beef burger with bacon, lettuce, tomato, fried onion, gherkins and goats cheese, loaded into a sesame bun, served with fries
Salmon Burger € 11.50
Home-made salmon burger with cucumber and sour cream, loaded into a soya bun, served with fries
Vegetarian Burger (V) € 12,50
Vegetarian burger with lettuce, tomato and fried onion, loaded into a sesame bun, served with fries
Plain Burger € 9,00
Prime beef burger loaded into a sesame bun, served with fries

SIDE ORDERS
Steak house potatoes € 3,00
Fries € 3,00
Mixed vegetables € 4,00
Rice € 3,00
Mashed potato € 3,00
African rice € 3,00
Sautéed spinach €3,50
Mixed salad €3,00

PASTAS
Spaghetti or penne pasta € 11,00
Choose your favourite sauce: Bolognese, Carbonara or Napolitana
Seafood Linguini € 14,50
Linguini with prawns and a selection of shellfish, in a rich marinara sauce
Spaghetti “Vongole” € 17,50
Spaghetti with fresh clams cooked in olive oil, white wine, garlic and coriander
Tagliatelle Salmon € 13,50
Tagliatelle with salmon in a cream sauce
Lasagne Bolognese € 12,50
Freshly prepared layers of pasta, oven-baked with chef’s prime ground beef Bolognese, béchamel sauce and mozzarella
Vegetarian Lasagne (V) € 12,00
Freshly prepared layers of pasta, oven-baked with vegetables, béchamel sauce and mozzarella

PIZZAS
Pizza Margarita (V) € 9,50
Mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and oregano
Pepperoni Pizza (Spicy) € 12,00
Pepperoni, garlic, peppers, onions, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce
Chicken Pizza € 12,50
Breast of chicken, bacon, sweet-corn, pineapple, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce

FISH and SHELLFISH
“Catch of the Day” P.V.
Chef’s choice of fresh fish, served with steamed potatoes and vegetables

Sea bass, sea bream or salmon €18.50

Turbot, snapper, red mullet, ... price by weight

Please ask the waiter for the Available Fish and Shellfish
Portuguese Fish Casserole € 17,50
A traditional, much loved, Portuguese dish. A blend of market fresh fish and Stortini pasta slow cooked in a rich tomato sauce and served piping hot in an individual casserole
“Dunas” Fish and Chips € 16,50
Home beer battered fillet of cod, served with mushy peas, steak house potatoes and tartar sauce
Dressed Crab (For 2) € 22,50
A whole crab dressed in its shell and served with crusty bread

MEAT
Chicken piri-piri € 11,50
Grilled chicken served with fries, salad and spicy sauce
BBQ Ribs € 14,95
Generous rack of ribs served with fries, coleslaw salad and BBQ sauce

Kick-start the Summer

Health and fitness is the theme at the Dunas Douradas Beach Club this April, so that you can kick-start the Summer well in advance.
 
Lap up the Spring sunshine, take a stroll along a deserted beach, relax and unwind from the daily stress back home, or take part in our fitness classes and enjoy specially prepared, low-calorie healthy lunches in the Albatroz restaurant overlooking the lake.  You also get free use of three swimming pools, including a heated indoor pool, whirlpools (many of which are private), a fully-equipped gymnasium and sauna.
 
Check out our special promotions at the Dunas Douradas Beach Club this April: 

April 3-night fitness package

Join us at the Dunas Douradas Beach Club this April for a special "good value" fitness package.  From just €170* per person, you can enjoy three nights luxury accommodation, free breakfast and lunch** and two fitness classes in the gymnasium.

* The minimum price is based on four people sharing a two-bedroom apartment.  For a couple, the price is €230 per person for the same package in a one-bedroom apartment. ** Lunch from the Healthy Menu.
See here for more details.

Activites at the Beach Club in April

During the whole month of April, the Dunas Douradas Beach Club gymnasium team will be busy every day with fitness classes that include aerobics, yoga, spinning, etc.  We have a special combined value package of a fitness class and healthy lunch for just €20, or if you want a special couples massage, we will look after your kids for free during the session.

In the evenings, we have our daily a-la-carte menus at the Albatroz restaurant, live music every Friday and a special barbecue evening on 26th April. See here for more details.