O Cacador - Portimão

We visited O Cacador on a public holiday not a good decision. The restaurant changed hands a few months ago and from being deserted most of the time, has become extremely popular. Unfortunately, this had a massive impact on service and availability of items on the menu. Whilst we were able to order, our starters arrived bit by bit as our waiter ran back and forward to the kitchen to collect the items left behind. Getting drinks refilled was almost impossible. The main dishes, when they did arrive, were one short as supplies of our first choice had run out. An alternative arrived quickly, but it was obvious that the team manning the grill had run out of some items and not informed the waiting staff. On a positive note, the food that did arrive was good, the setting is very pleasant, the staff were friendly but run ragged. We will go back because the restaurant is the only one in the area to offer game. The group of 10 on the table next to us left without paying when only 2 of their main courses were delivered after almost an hour’s wait. They kindly donated their undrunk half bottles of wine to us on the way out. On a normal day, I’m sure the service would be very different, but the team needs to work out how to manage the restaurant at its busiest for everyone’s sake.

It 's a short drive from Portimao on the road to Monchique. The restaurant is in a rural setting which creates a farm house effect. The hosts and serving staff were very friendly and helpful and the decor; rustic with a touch of antique. We had the 'dish of the day ' known locally as prato dia. We had a portion of barbecued goat with roast potatoes and a portion of pork stew. Both, very good. We can strongly recommend the starter platter of presunto and cheese which was accompanied by oven fresh bread. What a treat. All washed down with a jug of sweetish house wine that had a port meets sangria vibe..

Off the main road up to the Monichque top, not that far beyond going under the A22 Motorway, if you’re travelling North up, it will be on your right. There are signs, but well worn, so have a look out on board. A lot of Portuguese travel to this restaurant when you smell the food cooking on the barbecue, you can understand why. Large choice of meats, fish are predominantly barbecued for you. We both enjoyed Monkfish skewers, when we called. There is a very reasonably priced drinks menu, but the House Wine will only cost you 4.90€ for a 1 litre carafe! I fact the whole bill for wine, large water, bread, olives, sardine pate, coffee the 2 Monkfish skewers less than 38€ The top of Monichque is another 30 minutes, so you can visit en route up or down. Worth the trip!

Restaurante o Cascader was on a windy road going up a mountain on the way to Monchique. The service was very good, it seemed to cater to a lot of locals and the food was great too. The wine was a very good price and we had the house white wine which was delicious and cost 2.90 euros for a carafe. I had the wild boar stew and it was great. Definitely stop in.

An out of the way unassuming restaurant with hearty food and excellent value. Depending who 's on dictates whether English will be spoken or not.But its never a problem as the menu in in five different languages. I you want tourist food don 't go there! go to an over priced restaurant in Alvor village! and eat pseudo big Macs n chips! or authentic pizzas not made by Italians. We and our friends have been here many times and cant fault anything. The pace suits us so does the lack of English spoken as does the local style food and the laid back style. Go on give it a try it really is a slice of old Portugal. Then you can say with honesty you been to Portugal on holiday!