Restaurants and Cafés

The panoramic restaurant of the Pousada de Marvão, part of the century-old structure of the former mansion of the mediaeval walled town, is a true viewpoint, with a view, depending on the table chosen, of the Alentejo plains and the Spanish plains and even the Estrela mountain range. The décor is simple with rustic furniture and decorative elements of regional ceramics. The tablecloths have florid patterns and the floor is made of terracotta tiles, resulting in a traditional, elegant and cosy atmosphere, as is the menu that starts off with irresistible bean soup with chestnuts, tomato soup made to an Alentejo recipe or partridge soup. These are followed by the starters, such as cured ham pie (a 17th century recipe), Blood Sausage for Grilling from Portalegre PGI with apple and cinnamon, and mushroom and balsamic vinegar tartine. 

For appetisers, gizzards in a tomato sauce, mushrooms and farinheira and veal roll and herbs are all excellent choices.  

Here the true taste of Alentejo is enhanced with the fish dishes, such as bacalhau à Santa Maria and grilled robalo sea bass with tomato migas; and with the meat dishes: poultry pie with sautéed spinach, carne de porco à alentejana, goat ratatouille, stewed partridge with crushed tomato and bread, among others. The aubergine pie and lettuce salad with walnuts and Nisa Cheese PDO were prepared to satisfy the palate and appetite of the vegetarians.  

Excellent conventual and regional desserts, such as vinegar jam, typical from Marvão, that can be a pleasant surprise even for the more sceptically minded. More consensual would be the Portuguese cheeseboard (on which will be found Nisa Cheese PDO) with fruit or jam. There is a careful selection of wines mainly from Alentejo but with a few from other regions of the country. Service efficient and friendly!