What began as a humble family business is now a household name in the region
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Since it opened on Caneiros beach in July 1976 at the hands of David Encarnação Martinho, the Rei das Praias restaurant has continued to evolve and is now synonymous with excellence and quality.
With its privileged location and the freshest fish and seafood straight from the sea, this is the ideal place for a meal that will stay with you for years to come. The ocean view and the décor, dominated by light colours and natural materials such as straw, wood and plants, create an immersive atmosphere that is calm and familiar yet refined and elegant.
The menu curated by Argentinian chef Nicolas Baldo together with Luís Martinho, manager of Rei das Praias and the owner’s son, captures typical Algarve flavours with original touches. “We want to serve quality food with a touch of Mediterranean cuisine; dishes that spark curiosity, whilst providing a pleasant moment and an excellent culinary experience, which is always evolving,” explains the chef.
The standout starters include carpaccio of tuna, shrimp or red snapper and prawns, but the scallop or caviar tartar are not to be missed either. The fish and seafood options, all from the Sagres fish market, vary depending on the season and there is plenty to choose from – scampi, sea bass and red mullet, sole, either grilled or with a Meunière sauce, are just some of the mouthwatering suggestions. The chef recommends tiger prawns or ovos rotos (shredded fried eggs, usually served with chips and cured meat) with truffled carabineiros (scarlet prawns).
If the beach atmosphere favours the taste of the sea, the lobster rice, tomato risotto with tiger prawns or mushrooms and truffle is sure to impress. For those who enjoy a good steak, the Ribeye Black Angus with peppercorn sauce or grilled is a must. Finally, the desserts bring national and international flavours to the table, with a selection to suit all tastes, such as the almond and gila (squash) cake, the raspberry tart, the “chocolate temptation”, the Dona Adília figs and cream ice cream, and the Pavlova.
To go with a delicious meal, with fresh, local produce such as vegetables from the Portimão market, the wine list features an excellent selection of national and international wines, champagnes and sparkling wines, with special mention going to the Rei das Praias wine label, produced at Herdade da Calada in the Alentejo, as well as wines from Lagoa, with local grape varieties, including producers such as Dona Niza, Arvad and Quinta dos Santos.
The kitchen is open from 12.30pm to 10pm and there are around 30 employees of different nationalities who, just like the owners, give their all to providing an exemplary, professional and approachable service, both in the dining room with its adjoining terrace and upstairs on the lounge terrace, where a DJ sets up at sunset on Sundays all year round.
From May to October, entertainment is also guaranteed on Wednesday and Friday evenings, and there are also beach parties, which are announced on the restaurant’s website.
“I want our guests to enjoy a real experience from sunrise to sunset and to savour the best products from the Algarve,” says Luís Martinho, who has a degree in Management from the University of the Algarve. He recommends a full day of relaxation and leisure, starting on the sun loungers and lunch on the beach, followed by a cocktail in the late afternoon with some music and, finally, a distinctive dinner in the restaurant or on the rooftop. The beach service is open from April to October and also includes parasols and towels. Guests can also order food and drinks from the restaurant, although reservations are recommended.
Owner David Encarnação Martinho, a native of Lagoa, is delighted and proud of his son’s hard work and dedication and the success of his restaurant, where he eats lunch every day. Despite the clear focus on modernising the place, its traditional essence has been maintained for almost 50 years in a space where the family’s effort, passion and resilience, as well as ambition, reign supreme. Although Luís believes they have already achieved a lot, particularly with the launch of the Rei das Praias wine, he dreams of starting his own wine production one day.
The desire to expand the business led to the opening of the Caneiros Luxury House & Suites boutique hotel in 2010, located just 300 metres from Rei das Praias.
This space too, with its outdoor swimming pool, spa, champagne bar, wine cellar and terrace with panoramic views over the Caneiros Valley and the sea, is continuously being updated.
Therefore, some of its 18 luxurious rooms have now been renovated to “not only improve the comfort and aesthetics of the space, but also raise its standard for a higher lifestyle segment”, says director André Neves. Like the restaurant, the hotel’s sophisticated ambience combined with careful and meticulous service offers guests “a truly unique experience”, he adds.
Restaurante Rei das Praias
Praia dos Caneiros, between Carvoeiro and Ferragudo
www.reidaspraias.com | (+351) 282 461 006
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