Cantinho Do Abade - Arcos De Valdevez

On a cold sunny day we had a delicious lunch with arroz de feijão (a Portuguese staple of rice and beans) and local veal from the horned cows (cachena). Perfectly cooked. Good service and friendly staff. Recommended.

Whilst visiting Sistelo, we were pleased to find that the village has a thriving restaurant – Restaurante Cantinho do Abade. It has a glass covered dining area and an outdoor terrace for summer dining, but in cooler weather there is a small dining room in the main building. The restaurant was attractive and the staff were welcoming. We were pleased to see that the menu contained traditional Portuguese fare. For the main course, there were three meat options and one fish. Whilst I was tempted by the meat dishes, the fish option was only available for two persons sharing. Bev wanted the fish, so that’s what we decided upon. Bacalhau das Lavradas is a typical recipe from the Arcos de Valdevez municipality. The codfish is served with a special type of rice that includes beans and some chourico. The cod itself is cooked with onions and tomatoes and is served on a large platter with roasted potatoes, green beans and some slices of boiled egg. The rice and beans are served in a separate bowl. There was also a nice variety of appetisers and desserts as well as a selection of wines. For groups of six or more who book in advance, there is an option of roasted goat. Prices were not low by Portuguese standards, but we both had appetisers and the bacalhau main course, and a half-bottle of wine each. The total bill was €45.

My mom and I reserved there for lunch on a rainy Sunday. We ate very well, large portions, food wine. Great staff! Good experience.

My mom and I reserved there for lunch on a rainy Sunday. We ate very well, large portions, food wine. Great staff! Good experience.

On a cold sunny day we had a delicious lunch with arroz de feijão (a Portuguese staple of rice and beans) and local veal from the horned cows (cachena). Perfectly cooked. Good service and friendly staff. Recommended.