Casinha do Petisco em Lagos

By far the best food I’ve tasted in Portugal so far. And also the most interesting and slightly nerve wracking way to secure a table. Firstly the restaurant takes no reservations and you can only pay in cash. The trick is to get to there at about 5.15pm and join the queue. You may get lucky and be seated straight away once their doors are open or you might have to come back later. Unfortunately we got there just before its opening time of 5.30 and the queue was already around the corner. Just as we got to the front, the last table was taken by the couple ahead of us. We were told to come back at 7.45 and had our name written into an exercise book. We turned up again at around 7.30 and eventually got seated at 8.00pm. Many people got turned away at that time as there was no hope of them getting a table. The wait was well worth it and the ‘must try’ dish is the prawns for two. Simply delicious. I’m so glad we persevered and waited for a table. I will never forget this meal.

A long wait to get a table but we'll worth it. A small family business cooking amazing food. No rush to feed and get out. Wonderful service and hospitality.