Considered to be the bread-basket of Portugal, the Alentejo has taken on an almost mythical quality. Patriotic Portuguese refer to this southern region as a promised land, where pork and fine wines pour forth in place of bread and honey. Solar Dos Nunes prides itself on this heritage and is probably the city’s best example of straightforward but up-market Alentejian cooking.
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rnCountless magazine articles and glowing reviews hang like trophies on the cluttered walls, alongside cauldron-sized cooking pots and cured hams suspended from the ceiling. This country-kitchen environment is instantly inclusive, and the meals pleasantly drawn out. The restaurant is popular with an older generation of sentimental traditionalists, whose eyes are easily the size of their big bellies. Portions are generous and fish and game are sold by the kilo. This is where the Portuguese go to be tourists in their own country.