Algarve gastronomic event Rota do Petisco is less than one month away from bringing tapas-sized dishes, at accessible prices, to around 220 restaurants across the region.
The event, which will be held between September 14 and October 16, celebrates the tradition of eating ‘petiscos’, small portions which give you an opportunity to try several different dishes for the price of a normal-sized dish.
Rota do Petisco has grown year after year, being initially held only in Portimão but expanding to most of the Algarve’s municipalities.
This year, the event will take place in 11 boroughs: Aljezur, Vila do Bispo, Lagos, Portimão, Monchique, Lagoa, Silves, Albufeira, Loulé, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira.
Each establishment can either serve a ‘petisco’ (savoury dish) or a ‘doce regional’ (regional sweet), as well as a vegetarian option to attract even more visitors. Savoury dishes cost €3.50 while sweets cost €2.50 (each option includes a drink).
Within the event, there are three themed routes. ‘Rota dos Chefes’ (Chefs Route) features signature dishes by top chefs using regional ingredients, while ‘Rota do Mundo’ (World Route) sees restaurants serving international cuisine, more specifically from Spain, Italy, India, China, Turkey, Chile, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Netherlands and Japan. There will also be the new ‘Rota da Memória’ (Memory Route), which will challenge restaurants and eateries to recreate traditional dishes from the past.
“We will be highlighting dishes which are timeless in Algarve gastronomy,” said event coordinator Nuno Vieira.
The event’s passport, which costs €1.50, serves as a guide to all participating establishments and is also needed to enjoy the dishes and sweets. All proceeds will go to help six local institutions and projects which fight social, racial or genre discrimination, promote mental health among young people and volunteering work: Agrupamento de Escolas Eng. Nuno Mergulhão, Âncora – Associação Centro Comunitária de Santa Luzia, CASA – Centro de Apoio ao Sem Abrigo, Casa do Povo de São Bartolomeu de Messines, ECOS – Oficina de Dança Inclusiva, and HELP – Apoio ao Cuidador.
