So I have lived in Tavira for a few months now and this is a list of my favorite restaurants and bars. These are in no particular order.
Scoop-it Food Atelier– This is the first place we ate on the day we arrived in Tavira. It’s a cute little place with amazing food. The chef and server are both so nice. They have plenty of gluten free options and are knowledgeable about it. I love the different fresh cheese plates and they make the most amazing sweet potatoes I have ever eaten in my life. They have a bunch of different toasties and crepes too. It’s also very affordable. A full lunch with coffee or wine will cost about €20-25 for 2 people
Aquasul– Delicious Mediterranean cuisine with a lovely atmosphere. It’s situated on a small road right in the center of town. There are strings of light that illuminate the beautiful, traditional Portuguese architecture and there are trees and vines with gorgeous flowers crawling up the walls. There is usually an artist singing or playing their instruments. It’s the perfect ambiance for a wonderful European dinner. They also have gluten free options and the warm goat cheese salad is out of this world. This restaurant is moderately priced. Dinner with wine for 2 will cost about €40-50.
O-Tonel– This is right across from Aquasul, so it has the same ambiance. They offer gluten free options. They have great Entradas (appetizers), fresh seafood, and delicious desserts. The pate that comes if you order the couvert is really good. This place is a little more expensive. Dinner with entrada, dessert, and a pitcher of sangria will cost about €70-80 for 2 people
Come Na Gaveta– This is a trendy tapas restaurant with delicious food and amazing, crafted drinks. It is a little more on the pricier side again for Tavira but it’s still affordable compared to a comparable dinner in the U.S. I had pork cheeks (Bochechas de porco) here for the first time and omg! They are knowledgeable about gluten free dishes and will make sure you are safe They also have amazing desserts. DInner for 2 with a variety of tapas, cocktails and desserts will cost approximately €75-90.
Ofelia Cocktail & Art Bar– Ofelia is owned by the same people as Come Na Gaveta so you can expect delicious, hand crafted cocktails. The lounge is near the Rio Gilao and it’s a very chill spot. The bar honors the poet Fernando Pessoa and his sweetheart Ofelia. The menu showcases drinks inspired by different poems. Each specialty cocktail is beautifully presented and totally unique. They also offer classic cocktails, beer, wine and even some mocktails. They have a small snack menu too. Ofelia is by far my favorite place in Tavira. Drinks average about €10 each
The Indian Farmer– I had never eaten a lot of Indian food before moving here. I had only tried it a few times. But that has now changed. The Indian Farmer knocked me off my feet. It is in Cabanas so it’s not exactly in Tavira but it’s only a 10 min drive away. I have now started trying all the Indian restaurants around to compare but it is by far my favorite. They have plenty of options for gluten free, almost everything on the menu is. The food is super affordable and you can check out the boardwalk in Cabanas while you are there.
Originato– This is a great coffee shop right on the river. They have specialty coffee drinks, smoothies and great food, including a bunch of pancakes. They also have cocktails and great desserts. They have a couple gluten free options for food. The walls display art from local artists and they change the pieces out regularly. It has a very Insta-gramy vibe. The Chai latte here is one of the best I’ve ever had and the Paloma Lemonade is so delicious and refreshing, perfect in the summer. This is also one of the only places where you can get iced coffee and drinks to go. The coffees here run a little more than the average snack bar, but they have the big lattes and a different variety. They also offer milk alternatives.
The Black Anchor– Gotta have an Irish pub on the list right? The Black Anchor is a huge pub that sits on the river. They have good food, drinks, beer, cider and sangria. This is the place to watch sports too. They have a really cool back patio and picnic tables up front as well as a large indoor space. They often have bands playing too. Bonus points for being dog friendly inside and out. Their menu lists allergens and they have gluten free options.
Flavour Cafe– Another coffee shop and cafe. I LOVE coffee and this place has a ton of different coffee drinks. They have a pretty big list of food too. You will definitely find something you’ll love. I always try a new coffee when I go. It’s also by the river so it’s a great place to hangout and watch the people go by. You can easily get breakfast or lunch here for 2 people for €20 or less.
Artefact– Artefact is one of the best restaurants in Tavira, hands down. It is really close to our apartment too. They have a really unique menu and a wonderful atmosphere. They are always busy and for good reason, so make sure you make a reservation, they fill up fast. Average price is about €35-40 per person including wine, appetizers, and desserts. They have gluten free options.
Santa Lucia Lounge Bar- This is a chill spot in the center of town. They have great gluten free options including calamari! I rarely get to have fried stuff so when I do, I get very excited. They have good sangria and drink options as well. Its affordable and a great spot to chill outside with a drink and some food.
Terraze– Terraze is a really chic restaurant on the river. It has a patio and a rooftop terrace and a great atmosphere. The food here is absolutely amazing. The ceviche is possibly the most delicious and beautiful ceviche I’ve had in my life. I also had the pork ribs and they were insanely good. It’s one of the higher priced restaurants on the list but it is well worth it. I had no issues with ordering gluten free items.
I have only been here a few months so I will update this list as time goes on. These are only a few of the restaurants in Tavira, there are sooooo many and it is hard to pick my favorites. I can honestly say that I don’t think I have had a bad meal out since moving here, and I don’t ever have a problem eating gluten free. A lot of the typical Portuguese foods are naturally gluten free so it’s pretty easy to eat out. Everything is always fresh and delicious and you won’t be disappointed no matter which place you choose. So hit up some, or all of these places and enjoy your meals! One of my favorite parts about living in Europe has been taking our time at meals, and truly enjoying the food and atmosphere as a whole experience. Saude!
Leave a Reply