In Casal de São Simão

By the middle of 2008, it is expected that the restaurant, now being built at the entrance of the village, will be ready. Efforts are being made to make of it the best in the entire district.

In Avelar

Dona Vitalina: Rua Nova, 65; Tel: 236 622 534. Lunch only!
No signs at the front door, just come inside, greet Mrs Vitalina, a white hair good-tempered lady, and ask (and see because she’s in the kitchen) what’s the menu.
Home made food, good quality but only two or three plates to choose from (which is enough…). The price includes the main course, bread, a drink (wine, mineral water, beer, juice) and a coffee just before you leave, by a counter, while you pay (5 euros). No dessert or fruit.
In advance, a special meal, pumpkin soup, a real Portuguese dish made of vegetables and some varieties of sausages..
The sooner, the better, because Mrs Vitalina can run out of food. So, go early, starting from 12 o’clock on.

Pastelaria Rocha:
Just in the pedestrian street in front of Dona Vitalina, there’s a coffee shop and bakery. Different kinds of fresh bread are sold all day and nice looking cookies and biscuits can be tasted at any time.

Espeto de Prata:
For those who prefer to eat at home or make a picnic and don’t want to prepare it, this is the choice. Every day a different meal and grilled chicken and ribs always. Bring always “migas” (as a substitute of or accompanying rice or chips) which is a typical food made of smashed bread, little beans and very thin slices of cabbage.
Open every day.

In Ribeira de Alge

O Moinho: Tel: 236 622 035
Have lunch, dinner or just a snack in between, at a nice balcony over a running stream 15 meters below.
A good variety of fish (from the river) and meat. Good service, better cooking.
If you feel warm ask for draught green wine.
If you are not going to drive, seal up the meal with a good Old (or even Very Old) Portuguese “aguardente” (brandy).

In Figueiró dos Vinhos

Toca do Mocho:
Largo Cesário Francisco Castanheira, at Castanheira de Figueiró. Tel: 236 553 038.
It’s a nearby village, 2 Km out of Figueiró dos Vinhos, on the way to Castanheira de Pera (pay attention to the restaurant sign on the main road).
The owners, real lovers of traditional cooking, succeed to serve amazing meals, as a natural consequence of mixing local recepies and own investigation. Splendid variety of wines and good advisory. One of the best restaurants around.
There are other people who say (actually write in portuguese) the same, and in details.

Confeitaria Santa Luzia: Rua Dr. José Martinho Simões, 75; Tel: 236 552 129
Not a restaurant, not even a coffee shop; it’s the place where, for sure, the best sponge-cake is made. Open all day and night long, in the centre of the town, just ask anyone where it is. It’s run by the same family for generations who still make the famous sponge-cake, torch drops and sweet chestnuts according to the original and very well kept recipes. It’s a must !

Foz de Alge Camping Park: Tel: 236 640 000
Just follow the signs from Figueiró dos Vinhos (about 10 Km).
In the place where Alge stream joins Zêzere river, a really nice and peaceful place, there’s a camping site and, inside of it, a restaurant. Although in it’s beginning, this place deserves a visit and, at least, a snack while you watch the red kites flying around. You won’t regret!

In Talasnal

Ti Lena: only at week-end, by appointment.
Tel: 933 832 624 or 917 045 608

From Casal de São Simão, is not a short ride, but Talasnal, a Schist Village, is worth a visit.
The road until this paradise is not easy, because the last kilometres, from Lousã, are not asphalted. Anyway, unless it has been raining for the last days, there will be no major problem when driving carefully a “normal” car. Otherwise, 4WD will be fantastic.
Ti Lena is the name of the last inhabitant, still alive, of this abandoned village. This restaurant is part of a dream of the owners, two friends living in different cities during the week, that decided to run this place where customers would feel like at home. The house itself is astonishing and the food unbelievable. Don’t be amazed when checking the watch and realise you’ve stayed for a good couple of hours.
If you want to see some images and are not afraid to read in portuguese read this.

In Gondramaz

0 Pátio do Xisto (www.patiodoxisto.pt) just opened in June’2008. You can have just a refreshing drink at the balcony or taste typical food from this place. Tel: +351 933 928 371 or +351 239 538 012.

Other recommended places

O Cristo (The Christ – don’t get confused, it’s just a nickname): at the roundabout, on your right, just before Espinhal, on the road to Penela. No menu, just one plate, but good Portuguese food.

O Pastor: on the left side, 500m after the “O Cristo” on the road to Penela. The best cream tarts ever made, for a pause in the morning or at tee time!

And a lot more… The list will be updated frequently so you can trust!