Alentejo is the breadbasket of Portugal, produces excellent wines and is the largest producer of cork in the world. We offer you the best restaurants, hotels and the best wine producers in the region.
"Food is very important in Alentejo," says Gertrudes Alfacinha. "But only good food!" She is one of the official guides of Evora, a passionate fan of history, one of those who likes to take guests for lunch in one of the many restaurants scattered in the maze of the city. Our table is set with dishes of olives, cheese, tiny squid, ham and garlic oil.
"Everything you try, you pay," Gertrudes warns, but we are more interested in touching the history of the capital Alentejo, which is a UNESCO world heritage site. History and food are the most important things Evora has in abundance. Plus great wine - and stores that sell cork products.
Alentejo is a warm, dry region of Portugal North of the Algarve. This fertile land has always been a tasty morsel for numerous conquerors and it is not surprising that many of its cities are located on hilltops - not only Evora, but also the medieval village of Monsarash on the Spanish border, the Baroque-style Montemor u Novo, and the city of Beja in the South.
This large, fertile region, which occupies a third of the country by area, is known as the " gastronomic soul” Portugal. The dishes here are not refined, but at the same time rich in natural ingredients such as sheep's cheese, black pork, cod, forest mushrooms and asparagus. Each city specializes in its own recipes, such as for example desserts based on egg yolk. It is thanks to this rich personality that Alentejo stands out in terms of gastronomy, adding that it produces almost half of the wine of Portugal.
Now the region is presented as the new Tuscany. Of course, both food and wine are better than Chianti. Architecturally, Alentejo also has an abundance of Roman ruins: in Evora are the city walls, a huge aqueduct and a temple dedicated to the Emperor Augustus.
So, where to eat:
L'and Vineyards Resort, Montemor-o-Novo
Open from Wednesday to Sunday, this resort is the dream of any gourmet, located 30 km West of Evora, offers an amazing combination of wine with every dish. In his modern Michelin-Starred restaurant, chef Miguel Laffan is ambitious to "reinvent" Portuguese cuisine with dishes traditional to Alentejo; such as roast black pork tenderloin with cauliflower in breadcrumbs, asparagus, peas and black pudding.
Taverna Os Templários, Monsaraz
In this small family restaurant, 20 km from the Spanish border, you can order local black pig with a bottle of red Reguengos, or cod with spinach.
Restaurante Maçã, Lavre
This simple village restaurant in the Alvalade mountains prides itself on its cuisine and offers a good " ensopado de Borrego” (lamb stew) and fish soup. The small bar also offers "Petiscos" (snacks) if you arrive early.
Fialho, Evora
Starting in 1948, Manuel Fialho served local appetizers. Today, his restaurant is credited with saving a number of traditional dishes from oblivion, such as “favada real de caça”, which was served to Royal guests after hunting, and “sopa de beldroegas”. The restaurant's walls are hung with antlers and Manuel's awards.
Where to drink:
The Monastery Of Cartuxa, Evora
The winery occupies an old Jesuit winery-a farm outside the city walls of Evora. This is a quiet place where you can wander past huge barrels of wine from little-known grape varieties like Aragones, Castelao and Trincadeira. Drink at the bar or at home for just 5€ per bottle. Herdade dos Grous, Beja
This modern wine bar is located in a manor house in the South of Alentejo, surrounded by vineyards and a cork forest. Red wine Herdade dos Grouse's Reserva won the highest award of the Alentejo Oenological Union for 2006. Visitors can also learn about horse breeding, olive plantations and organic farming.
Tastings from 5€
Enoforum Carmim, Reguengos de Monsaraz
Carmim is the largest wine producer in Alentejo. With modern equipment, 15,000 bottles are produced every hour. Visitors can take a tour, as well as visit the olive press.
Tasting of two wines 10€
Where to stay:
Casa Pinto, Monsaraz
This six-room guest house is named after the former Portuguese colonies of Mombasa, Goa, and Macao. The Spanish owners have created a magnificent roof terrace with views of the surrounding Alentejo.
Rooms from 60€
Convento dos Loios, Pousada de Évora
The word Pousada simply means hotel, but Portugal's pouladas are a group of hotels in restored historical buildings. This former monastery is a maze of tall white buildings right in the center of Evora. Each room has a former monk's cell – there is even a presidential Suite with Baroque ceilings and carved glass chandeliers.
Rooms from 136€
Convento do Espineiro
King Alonso V stayed in the guest house of this monastery several times in the late 15th century. Now it is a five-star hotel with cozy rooms and a swimming pool surrounded by olive groves.
rooms from 170€