+351 282 484 189+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 21:30
Mon
12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 21:30
Wed
12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 21:30
Thu
12:00 - 15:0018:00 - 22:00
Fri
12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 21:30
Sat
12:00 - 15:0017:30 - 21:30
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Seafood, Mediterranean, Barbecue, European, Portuguese
Does this restaurant specialise in Soups?
Details
CUISINES
Seafood, Mediterranean, Barbecue, European, Portuguese
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
FEATURES
Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
1,208 reviews
Excellent
467
Very good
421
Average
154
Poor
66
Terrible
100
These reviews are machine translated from their original language. Show machine translations?
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, express or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and noninfringement.
Andy L
Hawkhurst24 contributions
Sept 2021 • family
We looked on trip advisor for their recommendations for dinner in Portimao and based on this booked “Squash” restaurant. On making our way there and looking at the entrance and location of the restaurant we changed our minds and headed for a taxi. We asked the taxi driver if she could recommend a restaurant which specialised in serving Portuguese food. She recommended Dona Barca an old established restaurant. On arrival we were fortunate to find a table free and proceeded to have a splendid Portuguese meal of courses. We chose the fresh fish which whilst it appeared expensive we shared it between 2 persons and there was ample fish for both persons.
The suggested wine was lovely,the service excellent and the overall quality of food could not be faulted.
It would probably be difficult for a tourist to find but with the help of a taxi driver it proved no problem.
Written 5 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duarte Miguel Lima
5 contributions
Aug 2020 • family
If you want to eat see food or a great grilled fish, this is the place. All the fresh fish is placed in street fridges for the clients see and choose want they want. The staff is nice, the place is clean and also the WCs. We visited Dona Barca between all COVID situation and the place was very safe and clean.
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lynandStocktononTees
576 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
We called in early evening to book a table which was just as well as it was packed when we returned to eat. A no frills restaurant serving really fresh food in a friendly way, lots of locals eating there with their children which made for a great atmosphere. Although the place was full service wasn’t rushed and prices very reasonable
Written 19 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackie F
Middlesbrough52 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
We have dined at Dona Barca Restaurant yearly for over 30 years, I’m sad to say this will be the last time.
We previously always had the sardines which are delicious, my husband decided to stay with the sardines I however had the chicken. Big mistake, it wasn’t cooked and raw in some places, I informed the waiter, he was very apologetic, scooped the chicken from the platter and returned it to the grill. I was left to eat chips and salad while the chicken was re-cooked, it was served blackened and inedible. Not sure of food hygiene rules in Portugal, I would have ditched this and cooked a fresh batch. The Algarvian salad which we always have was not as usual as it was drenched like a swamp in a watery liquid, not oil or vinegar.
We were also accompanied by intrusive guests, hoards of flies, electronic fly zappers would be a good investment.
We were not offered the extensive menu but the tourist menu which does not include other regional food that we would have maybe liked to have tried. Over the years we have seen a decline in the food and service.
Meanwhile Don Corleone the owner was sat at his desk reckoning the till receipts when he should have been attending his diners and checking if everything was good.
We were also charged for coffee which we did not have.
It’s a big fat NO from me in future.
Written 4 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
azuki
Miami291 contributions
Oct 2022 • none
This place is recommended to us by a friend from Portimao, who told us that this is where locals go for seafood.
Somehow there seems to be a cluster of seafood restaurants in the neighborhood, but some of them are empty, with eager smiling ladies inviting you to go inside. Dona Barca not only has a bustling full house, they apparently spill over to another space across the alley. Even without my friend's recommendation it's clear which restaurant to go to.
They sure do know how to cook their fishes. The sole we ordered was done to perfection, the meat still moist and tender.
We also ordered the seafood rice. Sadly, maybe due to inflation, there was way more rice than seafood, and the broth tastes of tomato rather than the ocean's bounty.
Friendly service, menu in multiple languages.
Written 17 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JPJohn
51 contributions
Sept 2021 • family
Amazing dinner!! Everything was perfect. Starting by the kindness of the team, the quick service, the DELICIOUS and generous dishes, the freshness, and the location.
We were 4 adults and we had the sea bass (by weight at 42euro a kilogram, our fish was about half a kilo which was huge for 2). We also had the seq food rice (12euro) and one of the daily specials: razor clam rice (12euro). Everything was perfect!! So tasty and so good!
We also had two desserts to share.
Two different people had recommended this place and I am so happy we listened.
Truly one of the highlights of our trip.
Written 30 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana M
Lisbon22 contributions
Feb 2024 • family
A fish soup that was nothing more than water from washing the pan, with toast floating in it.
Unsalted razor clam rice.
Salted tuna belly, accompanied by boiled potatoes and salad to decorate the dish (as the employee herself mentioned).
We had to order a mixed salad.
Together, bread, olives, water and 1/2 l of house wine came to us for €47.45!!
Written 23 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M Y
Coulsdon244 contributions
Sept 2023 • couples
Each of the seven times during the past decade we have visited Ferragudo, my wife and I have always made it a point to take the water taxi to Portimao to have dinner at Dona Barca, a most wonderful seafood restaurant. It is our belief that if it is a favourite for the local Portuguese population; it must be very good. We have been amazed that there are other seafood restaurants located in the same area, Dona Barca is by far the busiest; often with queues of people waiting for a table. My wife and I love grilled sardines so each time we visit, we pretty much order the same we have done previously; couvert of bread, butter, and olives, six wonderful grilled sardines (€8.00) accompanied by boiled potatoes and the Algarvian salad (€3.50) which is absolutely delicious as well as a few cold draft beers. Our total bill has never been more than €32.00. The service is also very friendly, professional and very efficient. The restaurant is laden with nice blue wooden tables and offers a great friendly atmosphere.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HeleneC
18 contributions
Oct 2022 • family
Fabulous restaurant. Great prices and really fresh fish. The prices are very honest. We had a late lunch there around 3pm and we were happily surprised with the friendliness of the staff and the quality of the food. My husband is vegetarian and they went out of their way to cook something for him. For me; the sardines and potatoes were delicious . The children had seafood stew and the other one prawns and it was really lovely too. It located under a bridge and to be fair all the other little restaurants near this one seamed equally lovely. I would recommend a visit!
Written 28 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wooleg
Diss293 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
Found this place while exploring around the Old Bridge and were attracted by the whole staff sitting having their meal in preparation for lunchtime opening. So we booked a table and came back an hour later and the place was pretty close to being full. Blackened Pork and Mackerel barbecued on their external barbecue were delightfully tasty and hearty portions too. Certainly recommend this as a lovely place to have a traditional Portuguese meal.
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jose S
3 contributions
Aug 2023 • family
My wife and two children were eating on Monday, August 21 at noon. The first thing, the letter, written on paper and it was torn. They included us without asking everything that "the cutlery" consists of, about €5 left over.
We continued with some uncleaned squid, we had never seen it before, with an extra potato that we paid for but had not ordered, the razor clam rice had excess coliandro and tasted more than the rice, total that I will never return, nor do I recommend it.
Written 23 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ricardo
Sidcup74 contributions
May 2021 • couples
Dona Barca is a very cosy tipical sea food restaurante with a very high reputation. 1 of 3 in the square and the other two always half empty, where there are continuous queues for this one. Often having to share tables, so cosy but you need to go open minded. Food quality is excelente. Me and my family have been visiting Dona Barca for the past 40 years. If you are in Portimao/ Praia da Rocha, you must visit.
Written 10 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yorky
York56 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
Really friendly and quick service. The sardines were some of the best I’ve ever eaten grilled to perfection. The house white was great too, We would like to go back and try the other dishes but sadly we were just in Potimao for a day trip.
Written 2 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fernanda
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • friends
I hated it.
Restaurant with a lot of fame and a real disappointment.
Terrible service, always in a hurry, they even took our plate away without asking permission, it happened twice and we were still having dinner...
We ordered vegetable soup for a baby and it was sour.
Very clumsy razor clam rice, whelk feijoada, nothing special, heated potatoes, the only thing better was the fish and even so, when choosing, anyone who doesn't understand fresh fish is easily fooled. Viterine very weak.
Quality far below expectations.
Written 24 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Passenger48420387304
Lisbon4 contributions
Aug 2024 • couples
I ordered seafood and my husband, sardines.
The order arrived before the bread and entries. The sardines were frozen and were previously cooked, being heated, just like the strawberry. The Algarve salad was also not fresh, having been seasoned for some time, the tomato being as cooked.
Only the service was good, except for the "patron" who told us not to serve frozen sardines "not even in winter".
For many years, I attended this restaurant occasionally in the summer, noting a noticeable decline in the parish, which is ⁇ linked to the decline in quality.
Automatically translated
Written 26 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
…
Showing results 1-15 of 304
As Featured In
Best moderately priced restaurants
See all 
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing