October visit with young family

[winniewoo]

Hi everyone..this my first post so here goes....apoligies in advance for the numerous questions!
First time to the Algarve with the family.3 boys in tow..ages 9, 7 and 4 so never a dull moment!

Been looking through the site for a while and it's great! Restaurant reviews are really helpful but hopeing to narrow them down a little. I have this image of hungry, tired boys and don't want to be lured into the first restaurant so need to plan!

Already got Villa Medici on the list and Happy's..any others recommendations would be great. Hoping it's warm enough to sit outside early October and if there were any restaurants with space or even a garden would be be even better!

I have managed to suss out that Monte Carvoeiro is an altogther different 'square' than the main square...worth a visit? Yet to find out where the villa is..villa gem anyone? Hoping it's not too far to walk into the village/town.

Also we have a car so any further afield recommendations would work too maybe for lunch. I belieive there's a famous place for Chcicken Piri Piri?

Also, are there any child frindly bars we could go to for a few pre dinner cocktails or even after dinner for some entertainment with the boys in tow??
Thanking everyone is advance...counting the days..

[laserblazer]

Monte Carvoeiro has a cluster of great restaurants and bars around a central square with a fountain. It's great for kids because they can run around without going out of view. Parking is good as well. Take a trip to Silves and visit the castle, the kids will love it. Halfway down the steps from the castle is cafe de englise, which does great cakes There's a water themed play area down by the river carpark.

If you head into the hills at Monchique, there's a great restaurant for lunch on the right as you go up. I can't remember the name but someone will. You could alo try drivving inland and taking potluck at a roadside cafe. You'll need a phrasebook probably. The piri piri place is in Guia.

If the kids get a hankering for english cuisine, then pop into MaJas. Jan and Mark will look after you and they have colouring books etc., for the kids.

[winniewoo]

Thanks Lazerblazer...so is there a square in the middle of the village/square too??

[laserblazer]

Thanks Lazerblazer...so is there a square in the middle of the village/square too??

There is and it's a cause for much controversy. If you take a look at this video it will give you a feel for the new square.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPZTPzNWzDk

[tricky]

If you go to the square at Monte Carvoeiro, there is a really nice cocktail bar and several restaurants, its pedestrianised, so the little ones can run around in the square, while you have a drink. very safe

[winniewoo]

Thanks everyone!
Apart from Monte Carvoeiro, can anyone recommend particular restaurants family friendly in the village?
many thanks

[tricky]

I can't think of any that arnt family friendly. You will have a great time

[fmm]

It is a family holiday resort, so any restaurant that discouaged children would not be doing much business!

[laserblazer]

A good place to get a budget meal if you want to keep costs down, is O Branco. It has a large Portuguese customer base. You'll find workers stopping off for a couple of beers after work and there's a good atmosphere IMHO. Visitors are normally put in a tent on the side. The food is good and they have a small play area at the back. 5* it is not.

[CM]

Three boys...I have got three girls and when they were that age we used to go for the morning to Benagil, let them run wild and then go to O Littoral for lunch at the very top of the hill. Then it was a drive and a sleep on the way back to the villa..ready for the night. Take them to Zoomarine on a Sunday, good day out.

[winniewoo]

Thanks everyone..any more helpful hints..keep them coming! Loving this forum!

[CM]

what do the lads like? budget? ie for 300 euros from alvor you can chater a sailboat for the afternoon from Alvor...however it can take 12 so any mates going with you? food likes? pizza? got a great tip for pizza

[CM]

the time for the boys to be up all hours was the summer...not sure October will have enough to keep them interested..EVERY place in Carvoeiro will welcome you as a family..but.. one of rules was to give the girls at least a view...so the likes of A gale was a no no, even though the food was great.my eldest is 16 and has been going at least four times a year since she was 6..its a really magical little town (not a village any more)

[HampshireRich]

CM has a point with the view comment - it can sometimes take quite a while to be served or between courses. The littles ones can get a bit restless and if they see other kids running about they get ideas - so something to occupy their minds would be an asset. Monte Carvoeiro does have the small square for them to run about in - I suspect some of the other complexes have safe areas as well, but on Restaurant Hill or the roads in and out they are very close to the road and the tables in the restaurants on the whole, are packed closely together.

I have no doubt you will soon find favourite places to go - the Restaurant review section is helpful to some degree but totally subjective - and if you don't visit all the ones you like the look of, come back again!

[e-richard]

... and if you don't visit all the ones you like the look of, come back again!

Now that's what I call good advice

I do find it strange sometimes when people visit CVO for the first time, find a great restaurant and re-visit the same one 3 times in a week.
Familiarity has its benefits, but surely experimentation is more fun ? No ?