Restaurante Parque

Light comes in through the large windows that look out onto the tourist post of Monchique and the wonderful viewpoint. This restaurant is right on the roundabout that takes you up to Fóia (the second place most visited by tourists in the Algarve). Talking with Rui André, we learn that the Town Council means to open an Interpretative Centre in Fóia by next summer – a kind of modern interactive musem with touchscreens and multimedia, where people can learn about the borough.

They’ll be able to discover who produces medronho, for example, as well as the local walks and nature rambles. The project represents an investment of €200.000, and every month, will offer workshops on traditional arts and crafts, to be given by craftspeople from the area. This is just one of many plans for the borough – but let’s get back to the table.

The food here is honest, homemade and traditional. Dish of the day is Chicken Stew (€7), or Fried Cuttlefish (our choice), and the rest is just as you’d hope: great bread, good wine, homemade desserts and the special “medronho com mel” (melosa), that you can only find in Monchique.

The only other thing we should tell you is that next 5th and 6th March, there’ll be the 13th “Feira dos Enchidos Tradicionais da Serra de Monchique” (Sausage Festival), to take place at the municipal heliport.

Specialities: Portuguese and regional cooking; Hours: open everyday, lunches and dinners; Bank cards: Multibanco; Bill: €16.25; NIF 502 841 974.