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Places to Eat
There are lots of places to eat in the area and part of the fun is finding them but here are some of our favourites and some that are not that easy to find!
SOMBRINHA do ALVA This is our favourite outside eating restaurant. Take the road to Arganil from Coja and approx. 7kms come to a roundabout before the the village of Secarias . At the roundabout turn right for Tabua and approx. 100ms just before the bridge take the right hand lane signed Praia Fluvial and Restaurante. Take the first left hand fork down to the car park and enjoy a meal under the shade of the vines overlooking the River Alva. Watch out for kingfishers and herons.
RESTAURANTE PANORAMICA This is a little more up market than most of the local restaurants and also a little more expensive but if you are celebrating something special go and feast your eyes on the view over the River Mondego whilst enjoying some first class food. It takes about 30 mins to drive to Penacova. Follow the signs for Coimbra and then Penacova. Turn left at the roundabout with the water wheel and then first right to take you up into Penacova. There is a car park at the top past the church on the left and the large building seen on your left is the council office. Hidden to the right of this building down a flight of stairs is the entrance to the restaurant. The view from here is spectacular!
RESTAURANTE DOM RAMIRO II This restaurant is hidden up a side street in the centre of Coja and could be mistaken for a back street café. Follow the cobbled main street through the centre of Coja until you see a small church on your left. To the left of the church is a one way street and half way up this street on the right is the restaurant with a sign for Sagres beer hanging above the door. Go through the bar to the back and come out into a small courtyard where you can eat under the palm tree or sit inside the new conservatory area.
PIZZARIA If you have decided on a day out to Gois the Pizzaria here is a good bet for a cheap but delicious meal. Apart from the pizzas they have a choice of 2 or 3 dishes of the day that are typically Portuguese just ask the English speaking waiters to explain what they are if you are at a loss. The dish of the day is only available weekdays and not at weekends. Follow the signs for Centro past the new GNR (Police) building on your right and see a row of shops etc, on your left, the Pizzaria is about 2/3rds of the way down the row of shops. It takes approx. 30 mins to drive to Gois.
JAVALI BAR I have to admit to a slight bias for this restaurant. It was recently opened by my Portuguese partner, Vasco, who does all the cooking in the traditional way including chanfana (local goat stew) in the outside brick oven and chicken piripiri on the BBQ. He will cook most things to order but as we still only have a small clientele it is best to give him at least 24 hours notice in order to prepare and marinade the food. Telephone me on 00351 936 211 719. Take the road to Arganil from Coja after passing the Zona Industrial (Industrial Estate) go over the little bridge and turn left for Alqueve, Bocado, Arganil. At the top of the hill at Alqueve take the right at the T-junction and follow the road down the other side of the hill. At the bottom when you see buildings take the first left signposted Bocado and follow this road to the top of the hill approx 3kms where it opens into a small parking space. The bar is at the top of the village and can be accessed by the dirt track that you see on your right behind you as you leave to go back down the hill or go into the village and walk up the steps past the church and it is the last building on your left. This is not for the disabled or people with a problem with heights or twisty lanes. It should only take approx. 15 mins to drive.
CAFÉ FONTES and CAFÉ TELHEIRO Both these cafes are located in the centre of Arganil along the pedestrian street. You can sit outside at the pavement tables and watch the world drift by whilst enjoying a traditional Portuguese lunch for very little. The food is good at both places and the red house wine perfectly drinkable.
RESTAURANT AT BUÇACO HOTEL
You can choose the A la Carte menu or go for one of the set meals that start around €40. This is definitely the most expensive place to eat in the area but the setting is fantastic in what was once a royal palace set in hectares of public grounds that are filled with rare and exotic plants and trees. Take the main road out towards Coimbra then follow the brown tourist signs for Buçaco Palace , the drive takes about 50 mins from Coja.
