Veneza - Estr. de Paderne

The Veneza Restaurant opened in 1983, but it all started in 1954. It was in this year that grandfather Manel opened the grocery store, which was also a coffee shop. Dried fruit as well as building materials were sold in the same space. A typical 50’s-60’s style store.

In May 1970 the dance hall Dancing Veneza was inaugurated. In the hall where today stands our wine cellar, the Italian city was invoked with decorations of gondolas and of Mona Lisa style wall paintings. Live performances were held here on Saturdays, where bands and singers such as  Badaró, Vitor Espadinha, Joel Branco, Bric à Brac, António Variações performed.

These events took place up until the opening of the restaurant. Maria José, who had met Manel Janeiro at Dancing Veneza, took to making snacks in the kitchen. He welcomed friends... and clients alike..., who continue to be his friends today. Since Maria had no cooking skills, she would ask the older ladies for cooking tips and managed to suffice. In 1997 she won first prize at Albufeira’s 2nd Food Festival.

In the meantime, Manel, who followed in his father’s footsteps in the commerce of grocery and beverage trade, devoted himself more to these particularly in the wine trade.
In 1998 he transferred all the contents from the cellar in Albufeira to the Veneza Dancing hall.

It was at that moment that the initial concept acquired a new dimension. The merge between the restaurant and the cellar took place.

From this union the “Award for Best National Wine Cellar 2006”, attributed by Revista de Vinhos, sponsored by José Maria da Fonseca, two Gold Diplomas in 2009 and 2011 in the “Food with Port Wine Contest”, Gold Prize for European Restaurant 2012 in the 7th edition of the “Europa-Excellence-Enogastronomic” congress, awarded by the European Enogastronomic Brotherhoods Council were achieved amongst others..

When you visit us today, you will have at your disposal more than a thousand brands of wine to accompany your meal. With an air-conditioned cellar and warehouse, the wines are served in exemplary conditions. The purchase of these wines at the best prices is also possible.

The most delicious algarvian barrocal dishes are served from the kitchen. We look forward to your visit.