Restaurante Baixama

Santa Luzia, just a few kilometres from Tavira, is so beautiful that it’s one of those places you like to share with people you love. The area is famed for its octopus fishing – indeed the octopus is on the flag of this family restaurant.

One interesting detail here is that the dishes on the menu have dates beside them corresponding to the time they were first served. In other words, the food on offer here has taken at least 12 years to perfect. A combined effort by couple Pedro Freire (front of house) and his wife Helena Rodrigues (in the kitchen).

For starters, we’d recommend the fish soup (€4.90) or the clams à Baixamar (€9.80). This restaurant’s specialities are Octopus Rice (€8.60 a half portion), Octopus in Coriander (€10.50), Tuna steak with Coriander (€10.50), Grilled Octopus and Prawns (€13.50), Octopus Algarve-style (€15.50), Fisherman’s style Tuna Cataplana (€31.80) and Octopus Cataplana “marafada” (€31.50).

There’s also fresh fish for the grill (the price of which varies from €6.50 to €13.50 for a prawn kebab). When it comes to meat, we’d recommend the Pork with fig sauce (€10.80).

Decorated with nautical motifs and fishing tackle, this restaurant is welcoming and the service attentive. The wine list is satisfactory and for dessert there are some regional specialities to choose from.

Specialities: octopus, fresh fish; Hours: Lunches (midday – 2.30pm) & dinners (7pm – 9.30pm). Closed Sundays and Mondays; Languages: Portuguese and English; Bank cards: Debit (Multibanco) & Visa; Accessibility: good, and easy parking in low season; Bill: €25.90 for 2; NIF 503 203 173.