A Barquinha - Tavira

Right on the river. Delightful host Julia, lovely service and superb fresh fish!

Food was delicious, the staff was very friendly!

We had the best salad we’ve had in our five week trip to Portugal.

We went to this restaurant following great reviews. What a disappointment after some great food and service in Tavira in other places. The waitress was friendly and when we ordered Portuguese steak asked how we who like it cooked. We asked for rare and she made a big thing to check we liked it with blood as she was worried it would be too rare. We reassured her this is how we liked it. It was completely overcooked (very well done) and the rest of the dish tasteless.The accompanied salad was excellent and the only enjoyable part of the meal. We had 2 glasses of wine and a small beer which came to 11 euros (no prices on the menu) which we normally pay 6.5 euros elsewhere. When we paid we said we were very disappointed as the steak was so overcooked. She went and spoke to the owner but no one came to apologise.

I was made to feel welcome, which is not always the case when arriving at a restaurant solo. Some restaurants give the impression that you are taking up valuable space, but not here. I was treated well and it felt good. They made no effort to rush me through the meal, so they could turn over the table. I ordered the sea bass and a glass of wine, and both were excellent. The salad that arrived with the meal was wonderful. I'm not a fan of potatoes, so those were left untouched (I wish I had known they were coming, so I could have refused them rather than wasting them). The food and service and location were all wonderful and I hope to return soon. Very good value for money.