San Martino Valadares - Fânzeres

Well i had very mixed feelings about this one. I came around midday for a coffee and it was great. Young worker smiled at me cheerfully and we chatted for a moment. He had a good vibe, the one that makes you want to return to the place. I took some pizza on the way back and it was good. Since we were in the area for a few days, and other restaurants were closed, we came back in the evening and took some other food with my partner. The soup was fairly good, but the risotto was too creamy. Well, It was rather bland to be frank. But okay, the quality of food might vary and I liked the atmosphere, so I decided to give it another go. I came next day to drink a quick coffee in the midday and charge my battery for a moment. I was welcomed by some other person who told me off saying it’s a restaurant and I can’t just have a coffee, and charge the power bank. I was planning to grab some dessert with it and come back in the evening for a pizza but his reaction said it all: sort of ‚we don't want you to come here just for coffee, you're not our customer then’. I really don't like this kind of treatment, especially because the day before I had literally a 180 degree different experience. The saddest thing was that I saw a lot of customers on those two days who only came for coffee and ice cream and nobody had a problem with that. Anyway, I can spend money in other restaurants. Not a problem.

Very nice people, nice food and a great view of the beach

We were refused service by the restaurant manager as they refused to serve us desserts only. I am not even sure this is legal in Portugal.

There don't appear to be many restaurants along this stretch of the coast and this place fills a gap. It also occupies a good scenic spot with an extension onto the beach. I had a reasonable bruschetta, a passable spaghetti with meatballs although the meatballs were dry and tasteless and the tomato sauce was a little bitter, a surprisingly good panna cotta, a decent coffee, and a bottle of Lambrusco there was a lack of half bottles. Staff were smart, polite and attentive and the kitchen appeared to be clean and organised. There is another restaurant with the same name just a bit further down the coast too.

The views and vibe were incredible but the food a bit of a let down. Not bad, just not great