Castelo Cafe E - Alcoutim

Our friends invited us here as I had no idea that O Castelo existed, known in Tavira for their big steaks. The restaurant is tiny, only four tables, so it was happy that we had a reservation. We sat fast and gave menus, skip starters as we had previously pampered in their nearby apartment. We ordered a bottle of Vinho Tinto (red wine) and a bottle of champagne. The wine was good and the water was obviously water. Three of us ordered steak and one of the Dourada (Sea Bream). I decided for the ribeye with pepper sauce (mean well 27 €1,50) as recommended by the cook, even if it is on the menu and my wife Sirloin with butter, lemon and lemon sauce (good made 24 € 1,50). My steak was big, maybe 250 grams, but strangely sat alone on the big white plate, and came to share with a large bowl (chips) between my wife and I. When I cut into it, I could clearly realize that it was closer to medium rarely good as medium. The sauces all came on the side in a steel boat and all were to our satisfaction. The server never returned to ask us how our meals were, so I just absorbed it and ate the **** meat, covered it with sauce, so I didn't have to see the blood. I really don't care what others think, prefer my meat with as little blood as possible, that's just my preference, but mostly they don't know how to cook steaks or give me my meat as they think it should be cooked. In both cases, it tells me that something in a restaurant specializing in steaks is very wrong. The Sirloin of my wife came in three medium-sized cuts and was medium-heavy, not well done as she had asked, but was tender and tasty. The Dourada was beautifully presented with fish, mixed vegetables and potatoes on the same plate. If I remember correctly, the meals should come with salads, but we only got a small bowl of salad among us four. The meal was nice and the service friendly, come at €60 a head, including tip, not awfully expensive for a meal, but much more than we had paid for similar meals in another Tavira restaurant a week earlier. CombatCritic gives O Castelo 6 bombs from 10... More bombs are better!

Lovely food, something for everyone even fussy children, the steaks are the stars. Friendly staff, easy to book via WhatsApp.

Saw all the outdoor tables with reservation names scribbled on them on the first day of our holiday so realised it must be a good place to go! Booked ahead and went on our last night. Had steak and prawns (massive portion). Both delicious. Service excellent.

Best steak restaurant on the Algarve. Wonderful food. Great atmosphere. Special chef. Special place.

Great party for Mike's birthday, Junior opened especially on a Sunday, Fantastic 5 course meal ending with a cake decorated with Marzipan camera. Balloons and decorations! Everyone had a great time. Thank you Junior and Georgia!