2 Passos restaurant Algarve, Portugal – our review

2 Passos restaurant Algarve, Portugal – our review: There are some restaurants which have so much going for them. With views overlooking the Algarve coast and the sparking sea along the Ria Formosa Natural Park, 2 Passos has an enviable location which would be enough for many eateries. But with delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere also in the mix 2 Passos has more than a winning combination.

*AD / Press trip. To read more please see my Disclosure Policy.

Location – 2 Passos restaurant Algarve, Portugal – our review

As you walk up the wooden boardwalk to the restaurant you’re met by the sea breeze and a building which looks like it wouldn’t be out of place on the Californian coastline.

Inside we’re greeted as if we are old friends of the restaurant staff and everywhere there’s a convivial, friendly feeling which lasts throughout the meal.

2 Passos means two steps in Portuguese, reflecting its closeness to the ocean and shoreline. Unsurprisingly much of the menu is given over to fresh fish and shellfish cooked to a variety of Mediterranean and Regional Portuguese styles.

The menu changes daily depending on what is available at the local markets, surely a sign of a restaurant confident in the food it’s serving and knowing that the freshness of the product is always going to be felt when it reaches the table.

With the daily catch being sold by weight and then prepared at the table rather than as individual dishes, this feels like a really novel, but perfectly sensible way to order.

Starters

We started with delicious Portuguese breads, olive paste, olive oil and butter.

We all loved this simple yet utterly authentic local dish.

Their starters are also packed with regional flavours and we adored the collection of plates which included a red pepper salad, a fava beans salad which was pungent and garlicky, and tasty local Alentejo cheese.

There’s an extensive list of seafood options for starters too including king fish, squid, calamari, oysters, clams and shrimp.

Main courses – 2 Passos restaurant Algarve, Portugal – our review

With a huge sea bass prepared at the table the family tucked into the most delicious fish. Freshly cooked and served with boiled potatoes, grilled tomatoes and a dish of Portuguese dirty brown rice.

Simple and perfectly flavoured.

I loved the imaginative veggie options too which included spinach cakes, and these huge crepes packed with vegetables which tasted fresh and flavoursome.

It’s hard to truly convey the friendly atmosphere here, but there was a real sense that everyone in the restaurant was here to enjoy family time, relax and appreciate the venue sat on top of the dunes at Ancão Beach in Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Desserts

After the main courses the children loved their homemade ice creams which came in traditional flavours as well as almond, mango and cinnamon.

For the grown ups there was tasty almond cake and profiteroles from another extensive list of desserts. The perfect end to a lazy lunch gazing out over the sea.

We absolutely loved our time at 2 Passos, our favourite restaurant in the Algarve, which we visited as part of our spring week in the Algarve and we can’t wait to return. You can find out more about 2 Passos at their website.

Our guide to the Algarve with kids

An ultimate guide to Portugal with kids

The best things to do in the Algarve with kids (but adults will love too)