Review Cestaria - Bistro de Artesão: Olhão's Hidden Gem

What a gem we've discovered! A beautiful restaurant with a sunny terrace, stylish furnishings (no tacky Coca-Cola chairs here), and parasols.

Perfectly situated on the promenade, opposite the covered market, in the heart of Olhao's historic center. This is the loveliest terrace in Olhao and undoubtedly the best restaurant in town.

The interior is equally charming! A bright section facing the street, and behind that, a spacious area with beautiful arches.

The staff, both in the front of house and the kitchen, are incredibly friendly and welcoming – just as it should be. The fact that there are many Portuguese diners here is always a good sign. This is a genuine restaurant, not just catering to tourists. Sometimes restaurants are clean but lack character, while others are cozy but feel dated. This restaurant strikes the perfect balance between charm and cleanliness.

The menu is extensive, offering options for seafood, meat, and vegetarians like Truffle Risotto (€16), Pan-Fried Tofu with Passionfruit (€14), and the Big Beetroot Salad (€12).

Even though the owner is on vacation and the head chef has a day off, everything runs smoothly! Despite being packed to the brim on a Sunday afternoon, both inside and outside, kudos to the sous chef and head of service! It's a joy to witness (coming from a former hotel manager).

PS: This restaurant lives up to its name! "Bistro de Artesão" can be translated as "Craftsman's Bistro" in English. A "bistro" is an informal, small restaurant that often serves simple, homely meals. "Artesão" means "craftsman" or "artisan," which may suggest that this restaurant prepares dishes with craftsmanship or exudes an informal and artisanal atmosphere.

Open 7 days a week