A Vela Restaurante - in Carvoeiro, Algarve

A Vela restaurant in the Algarve resort of Carvoeiro likes to surprise. The modest entrance gives no hint of the panoramic interior nor of the excellent food that is beautifully presented. Once you find A Vela you are likely to return time and time again.

New for 2015 - how about fresh salmon or tuna steaks, or a tender beef, cooked at your table on a heated stone? Try the Stone Salmon or Stone Tuna at A Vela.

Located just two minutes walk from the centre of Carvoeiro, A Vela, which is open for dinner only, offers a mixture of traditional Portuguese cuisine and International and mediterranean dishes. All the dishes come to your table beautifully presented and with great attention to detail. Antonia, the owner, and her team are all very hospitable and ensure that service is friendly and professional.

Specialities on the A Vela menu include the Suckling Pig (Leitão) roasted in a wood oven, which is only served on Wednesday and Friday. This is extremely popular, so it is advisable to book in advance! The steaks are very good here too, particularly served with the Gorgonzola sauce or the traditional Portuguese steak, served with a tasty gravey.  There is always a choice of seafood - from fresh fish simply grilled to monkdish kebabs or prawn kebabs with curry. Another favourite at A Vela are the american style spare ribs.

Vegetarians can enjoy some great options. There is tofu, seitan, caju balls with pasta and a delicious aubergine bake. A special mention for dessert - there are plenty of homemade dishes to entice you, such as the delicious homemade Orange Tiramisu, which is a real treat and a house speciality.

At A Vela you can choose to sit outside on the sidewalk terrace and make the most of the gorgeous Algarve weather or enjoy the fine interior with seating upstairs or downstairs. The restaurant has a very high vault ceiling, the upper level overlooking the main floor of the restaurant and the high walls decorated with some original artwork.

A Vela caters very well for groups, with special menus created on request to suit each specific group and budget and aside from the usual menu there are always daily specials available.