Restaurants and Cafés

The restaurant at the Pousada Convento de Vila Viçosa, installed in the former Convento Real das Chagas de Cristo commissioned to be built by D. Jaime, in the 16th century, is today an ode to the typical flavours of Alentejo cuisine. The dining room, which was once the nun’s refectory is very comfortable and the floor tiles are still probably the original ones, vaulted ceilings, friezes in a tone of ochre, the same tone as the chairs. Classical and timeless, as is the menu proposed and that starts with the irresistible chickpea soup with bacalhau or tomato soup with sausages and a poached egg. The starters follow with wild asparagus omelette, soft sheep’s cheese crisps and plums in syrup, rabbit terrine with wild berry sauce and a selection of sausages, cured ham and cheese. Appetisers include a variety of delicious regional products: grilled chorizo sausage on Alentejo bread, a trilogy of roast peppers, brawn and scrambled eggs with farinheira or a small veal steak sandwich with quail’s egg. 

Authentic flavours are revealed in fish dishes with bacalhau dourado (the recipe used in Pousada de Elvas since 1942), fried fillet of dogfish and coriander; and in the meat dishes with Alentejo migas, grilled Alentejo pork lagartos with tomato jam and a confit of pearl onions on toasted Alentejo bread or roast lamb with potatoes and sautéed greens. Breaded broccoli and soft sheep’s cheese on a tomato sauce or gratin of farfalle with spinach are excellent choices for the vegetarians.  

There are excellent regional desserts, such as Manjar das Chagas. Whoever prefers something less sweet there are Portuguese cheeseboards (which include Serpa Cheese PDO and Nisa Cheese PDO) with fruit or jams as an option. A careful selection of mostly Alentejo wines and a few from other national regions! Service efficient and friendly!