O Horta - Olhão

The service was simple, fast and super efficient. The food was traditional and extremely good. We repeated two days after. It was outstanding, again.

We have often been to O Bote, but NEVER AGAIN! We are used to one of the rude waiters, 'damaged ' in some way, forgivable. The others are adequate. What was unacceptable was the complete disdain that the owners displayed towards their clients. Having attempted unsuccessfully, by phone, to reserve a table, we decided to arrive at opening time to ensure a table. Checking on arrival that the fish we wanted, only humble but delicious sardinhas, were available, we ordered, and settled to wine and entradas. We did chat with the 'lady ' in charge ... in Portuguese, of course! oh, we don 't answer the phone in August ... enough people to fill the tables.... disinterested, offhand, unacceptable. Ten minutes later, the sardinhas you ordered aren 't available . But we checked on arrival! . There followed an interesting exchange of views. OK, we will have some other fish, for the price we would have paid for the sardinhas. The 'management ' was consulted .... No! . In that case we 're leaving ...... We left, some olives eaten, some bread nibbled, some wine drunk! NO money exchanged. Given the attitude of the ownership, I have NO doubt that the uneaten olives, the partially eaten cheese, the wine not drunk, etc. was recycled for the next clients! BEWARE! They serve good sardinhas, but never again. There are many good restaurants in Olhão. We have already identified an equivalent alternative. The Portuguese friends we were dining with, who have recommended O Bote to friends in the past, will not be doing so in future. Such DISDAIN? They do not deserve to suceed in, probably, still difficult times to come.

What a brilliant experience fish at its best we have been before and have never b even disappointed do not miss this restaurant when you visit Olhao

Great food. Average service. The BBQ squad was to die for. Service on the other hand left a lot to be desired. They brought out the wrong dish and would not change it for 20 minutes L

Went for a lunch before heading to the airport. As O Bote is a long standing restaurant in Olhao (and we'd eaten there on previous holidays) we thought it would be a good choice. We wanted to sit outside but were told it wasn't possible. We arrived soon after the lunchtime service had started but it took almost an hour till we were served our food. We made it clear we did not want the table cover of cheese so sent that back (just taking the bread 1 euro and olives 3 euros) The chef running the grill didn't light it until well after 12.30. The fish/ sea bass was nice but not great. One of us ordered clams and they were sandy which makes them very unpleasant to eat. As soon as we finished eating we paid the bill as had to leave for the airport. As we left we noticed other guests had been seated outside. It wasn't until we were on our way and checked the bill we noticed we'd been charged 3.50 euros for cheese we returned. Infact if you add the cover charges for the bread, small dish of olives and cheese it adds 7.50 euros to your bill which seems expensive for Portugal! In some restaurants you can get a main course for that money. So overall felt the experience was disappointing and we won't go there again.