Douro Gourmet Lda

I'd read all about the Portugese not going to dinner until 9pm, and that is so true. It is actually kind of spooky to be the only people in a restaurant for almost two hours. This is a more upscale - read more expensive - restaurant. The food was okay, but for the price I was expecting more. The dining area is one small room, by the time we left a bit after 9pm, it had completely filled up. It was easy walking distance from the Pousada.

One of the staff of the local quinta where we were staying recommended Cepa Torta. as the "...best restaurant in Alijo". It probably is the best restaurant in Alijo. We arrived early to an almost empty restaurant. The staff were great, at least one spoke good English, and they were very attentive. They had an English menu, and as we ordered, the couple sitting next to us insisted we try their appetizer: Alheira, the local sausage. Delicious!Entrees were a mixed bag. Mine was ribs with polenta. The ribs were a bit dry, but the polenta was kicked up a couple of notches and almost addictive. My wife enjoyed her seafood salad.Dessert was the recommendqation of our waitress and waiter; canilhas de leite creme. They're something like cannollis. The custard filling was great. Wines were local and delicious (Doura's not-so-big-secret: go for the local table wines, not the ports) The restaurant was filling up as we left. Nice atmosphere, friendly staff, good food; a winning combination.

Very friendly. Good steak. Don't speak Portuguese and they can't understand your guide book muttering - no problem, they are very patient - and a local customer might transalate for you too. Not many other places to eat locally that I could see but that doesn't mean it's the best of a bad lot - we liked it.

What great reviews! We would have loved to have eaten there!There was no web site accessible on an iPhone or iPad. They didn't return phone calls. There was no info on their door about nights opened or hours opened. First we went on a Monday night- no one was there. When we showed up on. Tuesday night, it was mobbed (no air conditioning - hot !!!), and we were turned away. We left on a Weds. With a bad impression.

Mr Amadeu and family have a lovely courtyard restaurant here. The food, beer and wine are very good. No English or French spoken but they are friendly and patient: other locals kindly helped us order some great Veal, while some others at the bar lent a hand too: just adding to the charm, given my pitiful handful of Portuguese phrases.Mr Amadeu can also direct you to the Roman road walk where you can view Vultures...

Inventive menu, exceptional service, great wine, fantastic value. Had a wonderful meal, the wait staff were extremely attentive, but not overbearing. We were a party of 9 and everyone enjoyed their meal - would definitely recommend!

Once we managed to find this place, we arrived just in time to get seated before this small restaurant was full, mostly of locals celebrating some family event(?). Excellent meal of grilled meats and tasty sides. Good wine selection at reasonable prices. Good value. One of the best meals of our trip. The owners/servers really seem to care about product/service. Highly recommended...and a surprise to find this in such a small town.