3 Best Restaurants in Évora and the Alentejo, Portugal

The charming elderly owner, Amor Fialho, is the third generation of Fialhos to operate this popular restaurant. He has handed off daily operations to his children, Helena and Rui, but he's still present most evenings in the kitchen, and has been known to give foreign visitors a tour, pointing out photos of the former Spanish king's visit. The dining room, with a beamed ceiling and painted plates hung on its walls, is regularly packed on weekends, and reservations are essential. Fialho's renowned specialties are borrego assado (roasted lamb) and perdiz à convento da cartuxa (roast partridge with potatoes and carrots), made according to a recipe from a nearby monastery.

People drive miles to dine at this well-known restaurant 16 km (10 miles) from Elvas in the town of Terrugem. The owner takes pride in the cozido de grão (boiled dinner with pork, smoked sausages, cabbage, and chickpeas), but their menu also lists international dishes such as spinach with shrimp au gratin and delicious sorbets for dessert. Call ahead to book on weekends, as it's often booked solid with wedding parties.