THE CARIBBEAN SERIES, DAY 14+
VILA JOYA, PORTUGAL
The best meal at 2* Vila Joya. The best meal. I’ve tried fine dining a few times and wouldn’t be a huge fan. From the awkward feeling of walking into an atmosphere more akin to that of a library and then the typical snotty behaviour that one has to adhere to makes the experience feel like an acting session.
MAYBE I FINALLY KNOW WHAT MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS…
I can appreciate good food like anyone but there’s just something about fine dining that just doesn’t do it for me. That was however due to my few fine dining experiences being fairly similar and before I had visited Vila Joya.
WHERE IS VILA JOYA?
Vila Joya
THE SETTING
For any Michelin Star Restaurant, the setting is of utmost importance. Back when I went to Akelarre (story here, link, a 3 starMichelin resto in San Sebastian, it had the most incredible outlook to the sea. However with the time of year, it was only possible to sit inside.
At Vila Joya, it has a similar outlook towards the sea but being a traditional Portugal house it was a much more homely vibe and very much something that you felt you could relax at and be yourself.
The best meal at 2* Vila Joya
THE OCCASION
We had been going to Portugal for 25 years at time point and I had shown no interest in going, and neither had my parents. However, they took the leap last year for one reason or another and instantly raved about it, but I still showed no interested. I think this was purely a thing on principle as its not cheap. If it was like any other restaurant I think we would have tried it years ago.
So fast forward a year and the parents had arranged to go there for a friends birthday. Actually it was only when they asked me out to Portugal that I took the leap to go to the Caribbean, strange detour!
The best meal at 2* Vila Joya
RELATED READ: THE BEST SUNRISE HIKE IN THE WORLD
THE FOOD
Not far in front of Thailand, Portugal for me has the best food in the world. Nothing has really come close so for even this restaurant to be the level it shows how good it is as there is just so much competition for top food in this area.
Now I am not going to bore you and go through each dish, there must have been 12 of them – I wouldn’t even do that to myself! So below you will get see each of the dishes and I’ll leave it up to your imagination to decide on how they taste.
FACTS:
- Vila Joya was purchased in 1982 at a family residence. It’s restaurant opened in 1991.
- The first MichelinStar was awarded in 1995.
- In 1999 it was the first restaurant in Portugal to be award 2 MichelinStars. With 12 rooms Vila Joya is also a boutique hotel with pool. The chef is Austrian, Dieter Koschina.
The best meal at 2* Vila Joya
FINAL THOUGHTS
I think back in the day I almost promised myself never to visit this restaurant, purely for principle but here’s me now counting down the days until I can return. If you are a true foody and don’t mind a little splurge then be sure to book a table next time you visit the Algarve.
NEXT UP
Reflection post for The Caribbean Series!! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
151/229
This post is part of The Caribbean Series, click to explore the series or for episode 1, click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
