After a round of golf, discover four new restaurants designed to delight every palate
– October 17, 2025 | Text Alexandra Stilwell
There is an adage, penned by English poet William Cowper over two centuries ago: “Variety’s the very spice of life. That gives it all its flavour.”
This is certainly true when it comes to gastronomic experiences. The more we explore new cultures through their flavours and traditions, the more exciting travelling becomes, both physically and sensorially.
At Vale do Lobo, one of the Algarve’s most reputed and sought-after beachside resorts, a refreshed gastronomic scene has embraced this approach to food, offering a multitude of new dining options. Although the enclave has been a benchmark for decades, its culinary landscape was facing a decline. That is, until Kronos Homes took over a couple of years ago. Determined to elevate Vale do Lobo’s gastronomic offering, the new owners and operations team invested in novel contemporary eateries, aiming to provide its residents and visitors with refined experiences.
Since then, four new restaurants have opened their doors on the Praça, the resort’s popular social hub.
Each one tells a different story – from the origins of Portuguese cuisine, traditional sweets, to a more exotic tale of Hawaiian flavours and Mediterranean staple dishes.
At the Tennis Academy, a new restaurant and a sports bar were also redesigned to offer healthy eating alternatives and complement the country club atmosphere.
Authentic sweet treats
Adding a Portuguese coffee shop was essential for the Vale do Lobo team. A place where both locals and visitors could enjoy a coffee or tea with cakes, and more, in a welcoming setting.
Opened last year, Doce is a treasure trove of decadent Portuguese cakes and sweets, created to take you on a journey through the country’s traditions with every bite.
The fresh and inviting space on the first floor of the Praça features a large display window behind which we find colourful Algarvian marzipans shaped like fruit, vegetables, and animals, queijadas from Sintra, pastéis de Tentúgal from up north, many egg sweets originating from ancient conventual rituals, and the iconic pastéis de nata. All of these can be accompanied by speciality coffees, including the exclusive Kopi Luwak from Indonesia, and a selection of teas.
However, Doce is not just a coffee shop; it is also the perfect spot for a nourishing family breakfast, a light lunch after a morning at the beach, or a year-round treat of afternoon tea.
Portugal on a plate
Opposite Doce, Portugal’s rich and flavourful gastronomy comes to life at Tinto.
Opened just last summer, the first-floor restaurant features a floor-to-ceiling wine cellar entrance, a cosy dining room, and a terrace overlooking the Praça and the sea.
On the menu, a selection of petiscos (Portuguese tapas) includes pica-pau – tender morsels of veal –, shredded bacalhau with chickpeas, Bulhão Pato clams, and vegetable tempura. These are ideal for sharing and experiencing the diverse flavours from all over the country.
More consistent dishes include Bacalhau à Brás with a twist, a savoury steak tartare to which diners can add their choice of ingredients, and an incredibly tender rib-eye steak cooked on a hot stone, accompanied by thin and crispy chips.
All of these are, of course, paired with an excellent selection of Portuguese wines from small producers or classic references chosen by the knowledgeable sommelier.
Aloha, Algarve
Featuring a menu that blends Polynesian roots with international flavours, El Ta’koy is the first Hawaiian-themed restaurant in the Algarve.
Located beneath Tinto, it offers a vibrant, tiki-inspired dining and cocktail experience, complemented by a festive playlist and regular DJ sets.
The spacious terrace with a large bar and rooftop area is the place to be this summer, whether for a light lunch, afternoon snack, dinner with friends, or late-night cocktails.
The menu was created by chef Luis Pous, who lived in Hawaii, where he discovered local street food, and aims to bring the spirit of island life to the Algarve.
Fresh, colourful, and tasty snacks include lamb barbacoa with chilli mayo, Hawaiian street tacos such as the Ahi Tuna Taco with wasabi guacamole, alongside sushi and ceviche.
The most popular summer bites are tacos made with fresh ingredients, such as tuna, avocado, and beef.
Hot dishes include Hawaiian wok with a choice of stir-fried meats, prawns, or vegetables.
Signature cocktails are the perfect pairing for any meal at El Ta’Koy or enjoyed on their own, with delicious and tangy ‘virgin’ options available.
Mediterranean chic
Opposite the Hawaiian-themed eatery is Barlume, a swanky Mediterranean restaurant offering a sophisticated New York-style dining experience.
Its name, meaning “glimmer of light”, has inspired the elegant establishment, which includes a dining room, cocktail bar, lounge area, and a welcoming terrace overlooking the Praça.
Inside, the décor is sleek, understated, and stylish, combining natural materials with contemporary design.
The menu takes you on a journey through Italian, Spanish, and other Mediterranean flavours with flair. Moreish starters include delicious dips, such as whipped ricotta with maple syrup and charred pepper and hazelnut, along with seafood plates, carpaccio, and braised artichokes.
Mains range from crunchy pinsas (Italian flatbread similar to pizza) and sandwiches to pasta, succulent seabass, grilled prawns, and tender, dry-aged rib-eye served with rosemary and truffle chips.
For dessert, indulge in Mediterranean treats such as creamy tiramisu, panna cotta, and ice cream.
Healthy, nutritive and tasty
At the centre of Vale do Lobo, the Tennis Academy is rapidly becoming a social hub, offering a year-round country club atmosphere.
It is a fun place for the whole family, where you can play tennis or padel, have a lesson, relax by the pool, or enjoy a delicious meal.
Overlooking the tennis courts, the clubhouse boasts the brand-new Smash Sports Bar where you can have light snacks and refreshing drinks on the terrace or whilst watching live sports on large flat-screen TVs.
Next door, the newly renovated Smash restaurant is a sanctuary of freshness on hot summer days, with whitewashed walls contrasting with wooden furniture, wicker, and straw decoration, and a cosy retreat in winter when its fireplace is the focal point. The menu offers “healthy, nutritive and tasty” options.
The “healthy” dishes, consisting of fresh salads packed with colourful vegetables, are aimed at those seeking to maintain a healthy eating plan, whilst the “nutritive” options are for those looking to fuel their performance on the court with protein-rich ceviches and pokes, and “tasty” treats make for an indulgent meal made with wholesome ingredients, including succulent meat and fish dishes.
There is also a selection of thin-crust artisan pizzas, burgers, and pastas to satisfy the whole family’s cravings.
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