Travelling around the Alentejo also means getting to know the region’s gastronomy, which is authentic, tasty, simple and memorable. Just like these five restaurants.
Century-old recipes, local produce and regional traditions sit at the table together in these Alentejo inspired restaurants in some of the best Pousadas de Portugal. Among castles, convents and palaces, guests’ stay is enhanced with the gastronomy available – which can be a destination in itself. More than just meals, these are experiences that help understand the region’s history and identity.
Pousada Mosteiro Crato restaurant
Housed in what was once a fortified convent of the Order of Malta, the Pousada Mosteiro Crato provides one of the most surprising experiences in the Alto Alentejo. The restaurant occupies old convent rooms and boasts a cuisine that respects regional tradition, with dishes such as dogfish stew with fried bread or shredded codfish with chickpea puree, turnip tops and toasted almonds. The historic ambiance only adds character to the meal, particularly at dinner, when the main hall of the Pousada do Crato restaurant acquires a different charm.
Pousada Convento Beja restaurant
Located in an old Franciscan convent, the São Francisco restaurant in Beja offers a sophisticated approach to Alentejan gastronomy. The large dining room, which opens out onto the garden, boasts historical features which preserve an elegant feel. The highlights of the menu include tomato soup, monkfish rice and pork cheeks confit in red wine with asparagus and bread mash and red wine poached pear (pêra bêbeda).
Pousada Castelo Estremoz restaurant
Having dinner in a medieval castle may be a rare occurrence but that is exactly what happens at the Pousada Castelo Estremoz restaurant. In an atmosphere that’s both intimate and impressive, the restaurant is undoubtedly regional – from the meats to the olive oils, not forgetting the wines on the list. Try the fried dog fish with broth rice and coriander, as well as the Iberian pork, served either in thin slices or in puff pastry with braised pork cheeks.
Pousada Castelo Palmela restaurant
At the top of the Arrábida mountains, within Palmela’s castle walls, we can see the Alentejo. The restaurant menu is influenced by the flavours of the Alentejo and Setúbal peninsula, such as grouper noodles with shrimp, roasted octopus, lamb tenderloin with rosemary, mashed sweet potato and mashed greens (esparregado). The views over the mountains and the Sado estuary are all part of the experience for diners at the Pousada Castelo Palmela restaurant.
Pousada Convento Évora restaurant
Situated in the historic centre of what is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the pousada occupies the old Lóios convent. In the Loios restaurant in Évora, inside the Pousada, Alentejo tradition can be found in recipes that span generations, such as açorda à alentejana, a traditional soup with cod, coriander and bread, roasted duck leg with rice and traditional sausages, or lamb roasted with potato and sautéed greens.
