An icon of Algarve seaside dining, Rei das Praias restaurant at Ferragudo’s popular Caneiros beach is celebrating half a century this year and promises to mark the occasion in style, with a series of events throughout the year. All are invited to celebrate the milestone.
With a programme soon to be unveiled on its website and social media channels, the beach restaurant is gearing up to surprise guests in the coming months with live music, fine dining and major events. Local and international visitors will have numerous opportunities to join the landmark anniversary. Entertainment and surprises are planned each month, including a special birthday party in the summer and several themed days designed to appeal to different tastes and generations.
Festivities at Rei das Praias will alternate between relaxed and more formal settings, ranging from barbecue events to dining experiences led by guest chefs. On one such day, Luís Martinho, son of the founder – David Encarnação Martinho – and now at the helm of the restaurant, promises to revive the spirit with which his father started the business and to honour his work and dedication with an informal menu of grilled chicken and sardines served with potatoes – a tribute to a project that started with humble beginnings.
Since its inception, the restaurant has undergone four overhauls before becoming the welcoming and familiar space it is today. This growth and evolution will be depicted through a series of photographs on display at the restaurant’s entrance, telling the story of Rei das Praias from its original restaurant to what it is now. These memories, full of feeling and emotion, unveil the soul and entrepreneurial drive of this Algarve family.
“We have lived through half a century of constant adaptation and innovation in response to new demands,” says Luís Martinho. The ongoing commitment to excellent service and top-quality cuisine has more than been accomplished, as evidenced by the many returning customers and loyal staff who have been part of the business for almost three decades.
Luís has devoted 25 years of his life to Rei das Praias and he is proud of the wonderful experiences he has shared with his team and clients alike. The establishment’s “significant growth is driven by a strong desire to evolve, commitment, creativity, and extensive research and investment”, reveals the restaurateur, who feels “highly motivated” to keep going for another 25 years – “when you do what you love, it’s not work”.
Luís personally visits the market and local fishmongers each day, ensuring a steady supply of fresh vegetables, fish and seafood. He is also responsible for the restaurant’s décor, inspired by his travels and surroundings. In fact, he designed the wooden tables and chairs on the rooftop and chose the rope parasols after discovering them during a 2019 trip to Greece, where he found a factory in Mykonos.
The menu, created alongside Argentine chef Nicolas Baldo, also reflects his tastes, experiences and personal journey. “I like being here every day; it’s my place of work and leisure, where I welcome clients and friends,” he says. Rei das Praias is renowned for its typical Algarvian cuisine, served in an elegant setting with breathtaking views. Beyond that, it embodies the spirit of Luís and his father, who will proudly attend the celebrations marking the success of the business.
It was in July 1976 that Caneiros beach gained a new dynamic. Where once there was only nature, a space for gatherings and memorable meals emerged. Lagoa-native David Encarnação Martinho saw potential in the seaside spot and built a restaurant that became an icon, with the support of his wife, Lucília Maria A. C. Martinho, and his parents, Maria José da Assunção and José António Cabrita.
In a privileged location with huge potential, Rei das Praias built its reputation on quality and excellence, providing clients with a truly complete experience. The diversity of dishes – from lighter options such as tuna carpaccio and scallop tartare with caviar, to more elaborate creations like lobster rice, tomato risotto with tiger prawns and seafood from the Sagres fish market – combined with an excellent selection of national and international wines, champagnes, sparkling wines and cocktails, all contribute to relaxed and pleasurable moments at the table. And it goes without saying that the dining experience comes with one of the most stunning sea views in the Algarve.
With a beach concession service available from April to October – including sun loungers, parasols, towels and direct orders from the restaurant, whose kitchen operates from 12.30pm to 10pm – Rei das Praias is more than a restaurant. It is the full package; an invitation for long, leisurely days by the sea. Sundays are made even more special with sunset DJ sessions throughout the year. Between May and October, there is also evening entertainment on Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as unforgettable beach parties.
While Rei das Praias stands out for its gastronomy, atmosphere, service, refinement, entertainment, and the tradition and resilience of the family behind it, Luís Martinho’s ambition goes even further. His goal is to “elevate Portugal to another level”, where traditional cuisine and seaside luxury walk hand in hand.
(+351) 282 461 006
(chamada para a rede fixa nacional / call to the national landline)
info@restaurantereidaspraias.com | www.reidaspraias.com
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