Restaurante União dos Amigos da Pesca

There are cups and trophies all over the place, bearing witness to heady catches, but there are those who come here that don’t fish but join for the social side of things – the snooker room, and activities like canoe trips on Ria Formosa.

We came here to visit our long-standing friend Geninha, part-time fado singer and current restaurateur, whose specialities are grills and snacks. Right now, at weekends, she serves snails, with toast (at €5 a dish for 2 people), after 5pm.

In the display counter there are always things to tempt the Portuguese fancy – “chouriça” sausage, “paio” luncheon meat, pasties, rissoles and “pipis” – but the outdoor patio is where things get even better, and where you find most of the tables and the grill.

The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed and full of kitsch little knick-knacks. This is also a place that revives the whole traditional spirit of old collectives and associations. Anyone looking for “luxury” should go elsewhere! But, that’s not to say that things aren’t fresh here.

The fish is always fresh, and they usually have squid, cuttlefish and salt-cod on offer. Accompaniments are usually a simple mountain salad (tomato, onion, pepper and marjoram), with unpeeled boiled potatoes. A real bonus is that this is a perfect setting for families with children, as the children can play in safety with no danger of running into the street.

Every other Saturday, they hold fado nights. The next one is 28th May. There is a special menu here, and a complete meal costs €15 (children go free!). So, that’s it for our “suggestion” this week…

Specialities: Grills and snacks; Hours: Lunches and dinners, closed Mondays; Bill: €18.40 (mixed fish grill for 2 people); Management: Maria Germana Rosário Cabria; NIF 164 678 461.