Castro Marim is hosting another “alternative” edition of its popular Snail Festival, this time the focus being on enjoying the local delicacy at restaurant ‘esplanadas’, or outdoor dining areas. Last year, the event involved mostly take-away service and online events.
Throughout July, 12 local restaurants and eateries will be serving traditional snail dishes – a favourite among Algarvians, particularly during the summer – seasoned with the “best salt in the world.”
Snails are most commonly cooked in boiling water, seasoned with salt, olive oil, garlic, oregano and sometimes piri-piri. They are usually served with a side dish of buttered toast and a beer.
In a statement to the press, the local council said the event aims to “minimise the economic impact caused by the Covid-19 combat measures and provide a boost to small businesses and restaurants”.
Each participating establishment will have live music during the festival, which the local authority says is also a way of supporting the local culture sector.
Organisers urge clients to book a table “whenever possible”. Some eateries will be serving snail dishes throughout the week, while others will only serve on specific days.
Participating establishments:
Castro Marim
• Café Serafim (926016803/968280940) – every day
• Café/Tapeçaria Encontro d’Amigos (963304105/966178818) – every day except Wednesday
• Snack-Bar Isabel (966035380) – weekends
• Snack-Bar/Restaurante O Sapal (968381569) – every day
• Taberna Medieval Velho Cavalinho (961786650) – every day
Monte Francisco
• Restaurante Retiro dos Caçadores (969392365) – every day except Thursday
Junqueira
• Taberna Gil e Graça (965109034) – weekends
Altura
• Snack-Bar A Paragem (964437937/281404829) – every day except Monday
• Snack-Bar Alturense (969519140) – every day
• Restaurante Takeaway O Cantinho do Churrasco (963700351) – weekends
• Pastelaria Alagoa (965092306) – every day
• Central Sports Café (962600158) – every day
