Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 919 729 799;
www.algarveguesthouse.com
; São Estevão; d/studios €95/115; )
This charming but
unpretentious place in a converted farmhouse screams 'relax!' Set within greenery and
rolling hills, it has six pleasant rooms, a living space, terraces and a pool. The friendly
Irish owners serve up scrumptious gourmet breakfasts - great energy for the excellent
walks in the surrounds. Prices are significantly less outside high season. To get here, head
5.5km northeast (en route to São Bartolomeu de Messines) to Sítio São Estevão.
Eating
There are plenty of cafe-restaurants in the pedestrianised streets leading up to the castle or
down by the river, where you'll also find a reasonable
mercado municipal
(just west of the
old pedestrian bridge).
Pastelaria Rosa
(Largo do Município; pastries from €1.50; 7.30am-late Mon-Sat)
On the ground floor of the town-hall
building, this quaint, tile-lined place is Silves' oldest cafe and the best place to try Algar-
vian sweets.
PATISSERIE
€
PORTUGUESE
€€
Tasca Béné
( 282 444 767; €8-12; lunch & dinner Mon-Sat)
This atmospheric traditional
tasca
(tavern)
serves up all the Portuguese cliches - chequered cloths and old-world paraphernalia - and
it's got a great reputation for doing so. The menu comprises daily meat and fish specials
and by night, it's an
à la carte
menu.
Cataplanas
(seafood stews) are available for €25
(for two).
Café Ingles
( 282 442 585;
www.cafeingles.com.pt
;
mains €10-23; )
Located below the castle entrance, the
Café Ingles has a wonderful, shady terrace and is everyone's favourite spot. The food is
excellent (don't miss the chocolate St Emilion dessert). One of the Algarve's liveliest res-
taurants north of the coast , it has an elegant interior and on weekends it occasionally has
live jazz, fado and African music.
INTERNATIONAL
€€
Recanto dos Mouros
( 282 443 240; Monte Branco; mains €9-14; lunch & dinner Thu-Tue)
Situated a kilometre or so be-
hind the castle (follow the signs), this is one of Silves' most popular places. As the Por-
PORTUGUESE
€€
