Restaurants and Cafés

The Restaurant do Torre de Palma Wine Hotel is located in a privileged place in the heart of a monumental estate, near the Vaiamonte village, in which one can visit the Roman ruins of Torre de Palma, nested amidst immense vineyards. The space strikes one for the elegance of the architecture designed by João Mendes Ribeiro and for the interior decoration by Rosarinho Gabriel, which is discreet but full of character, alluding to the rural Roman roots of this estate in a perfect combination of modern and ancient Alentejo. 

This is the aim of the menu written by the young chef Filipe Ramalho: to match the flavours of this region with contemporary palates and requirements of presentation. And done to perfection, we could say.  

The menu is well balanced maintaining traditional flavours, in the starters: brawn carpaccio, pig’s trotters in coriander sauce or marinated sardines or soups: Alentejo açorda or hake roe açorda; as for the main dishes, the menu includes fish, such as Maltese octopus, fresh codfish and corn textures and Alentejo fish stew. As for veal, creativity is added to the combination of flavours, the fact it is Carnalentejo PDO. The veal sirloin tartare with Sharish gin, the hamburger (with red onion, tomato, Nisa Cheese PDO, chicory lettuce, chips and coriander aioli sauce), stewed veal cheeks or braised veal tenderloin are all a huge success. As would be expected, the suggestions on Alentejo pork do not let us down either: carré in the vegetable garden, drunken loin steaks and brined presa. As for dessert, take a look at the irresistible variations on the traditional sericaia and encharcada from Santa Clara Convent, both softened with mascarpone and lime. There is an excellent wine list, some of the wine produced on the estate, under the attentive eye of the oenologist Luís Duarte. The service is efficient and also sophisticated.