On our second night in Albufeira Old Town, we decided to give El Ranco a go as it looked lively and quite busy. Quite possibly the worst dining experience we have ever had in our five visits to Albufeira.
Let's start with getting a table. Given it was 8.00pm, it was quite busy and we could not be choosy but given there was a few empty tables outside we asked if we could take one of the tables. The waiter demanded to know why we wouldn't accept inside if there was only 3 of us.
Onto the drinks order. A simple round of Prosecco, Diet Coke and a Mojito. Having confirmed five times it was a Mojito and not a margarita, the end result, frozen margarita
Food wise we ordered a few simple dishes of Burger and Chips, Steak and Chips and Piri Piri chicken. The Chicken had no sauce was extremely salty which would suggest it is pre-cooked or frozen chicken given its Rubbery texture.
We all pretty much left our meals and asked for the bill. After having to ask for the bill a few times, I ventured to the toilet to find my chair had been given up to a group of ten holiday makers who had just arrived and put on the table next to us.
Upon leaving the waiter said I can see you are not happy, let me offer you 20% off your next visit and started arguing why we wouldn't book to come back the following day.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Tuomo
Good food and pina colada
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ronald van der Wal
Typical tourist trap. Avoid. Lure you in with pretty pictures. Feeling rushed to orderas quickly as possible. Margaritas were no Margaritas at all, frozen stuff that tasted like passion fruit with no alcohol whatsoever, waiter trying to convince us that’s how to serve them. We all ordered ribeyes: 1 medium and 2 medium rare. They were all overcooked and not tender. Chimichurri sauce was again not even close to the real thing, more like a tomato sauce with some herbs thrown in. All in all, this is no steakhouse, they haven’t got a clue. Service was terrible, after food was (quickly) delivered, waiters just disappeared or busy with everybody else but you. Overpriced and waste of my money.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Alex Urso
A very nice restaurant located by the sea which offers very good quality meat at a very good price. the food was very good and the service was very fast even with a full restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
K
Solid food quickly served, compared to the price we got big portions. Restaurant with nice view on ocean.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Steak
Marko Petricic
Great seaside steak house with great view on ocean, steaks are well prepared and it is a good portion.
Kid-friendliness: Kids are definetely welcomed here, especially because beach is just infront of restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Steak
Priscila Gorino
The place was very busy, this is common in the Algarve region, so don't be surprised if the waiters don't speak Portuguese, there is immense pressure to place the order and then to hurry up even if you haven't been there for long! But despite this, it has an effective service! The food is very good, and has a varied menu despite being a steakhouse!
Robert Guratzsch
Great beach place ? fantastic beach food ? lovely beach atmosphere ⛱️ Saíd took great care of us ????
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Caoimhin O'Feinneadha
Nice location. Food ok but nothing special. Three onion rings isn’t really a “side of onion rings” and four scallops for €16.50 is very poor value.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
STEVE C
Ate here today with my family on seafront, family of 5 , we all went for steaks onr t-bone ,2 sirloin and one ribeye, and kids meal steak the meat was very tough and poor quality, we ordered all the steaks medium and They came out rare and well done. Worst experience I have ever had on holidays. Avoid this place. We ate 2 days earlier in oceano restaurant next door was amazing ?
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
Flavours -
Bar, Portuguese, International, Mediterranean
There is pressure to order and it takes time to serve. They served all the foreigners and the Portuguese only watched the food being passed to the other tables! Terrible service and service!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
julien MESNIL
Super friendly staff, at the top. The meat there was delicious. Unfortunately, out of 5 adults in our group, 3 were sick 2 hours after the meal. I therefore have some doubts about the quality of the meat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Juli Picinane
Perfect, steak , chips and beer ! Amazing view and vibe
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Steak
Karen L
Staff were very lovely, great service. Good recommendation of steak and had onion rings.Really enjoyed the sparkling sangria.
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Steak
david patrick smith
Beach side restaurant, exceptionally good food and service.
On our second night in Albufeira Old Town, we decided to give El Ranco a go as it looked lively and quite busy. Quite possibly the worst dining experience we have ever had in our five visits to Albufeira.
Let's start with getting a table. Given it was 8.00pm, it was quite busy and we could not be choosy but given there was a few empty tables outside we asked if we could take one of the tables. The waiter demanded to know why we wouldn't accept inside if there was only 3 of us.
Onto the drinks order. A simple round of Prosecco, Diet Coke and a Mojito. Having confirmed five times it was a Mojito and not a margarita, the end result, frozen margarita
Food wise we ordered a few simple dishes of Burger and Chips, Steak and Chips and Piri Piri chicken. The Chicken had no sauce was extremely salty which would suggest it is pre-cooked or frozen chicken given its Rubbery texture.
We all pretty much left our meals and asked for the bill. After having to ask for the bill a few times, I ventured to the toilet to find my chair had been given up to a group of ten holiday makers who had just arrived and put on the table next to us.
Upon leaving the waiter said I can see you are not happy, let me offer you 20% off your next visit and started arguing why we wouldn't book to come back the following day.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Good food and pina colada
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Typical tourist trap. Avoid. Lure you in with pretty pictures. Feeling rushed to orderas quickly as possible. Margaritas were no Margaritas at all, frozen stuff that tasted like passion fruit with no alcohol whatsoever, waiter trying to convince us that’s how to serve them. We all ordered ribeyes: 1 medium and 2 medium rare. They were all overcooked and not tender. Chimichurri sauce was again not even close to the real thing, more like a tomato sauce with some herbs thrown in. All in all, this is no steakhouse, they haven’t got a clue. Service was terrible, after food was (quickly) delivered, waiters just disappeared or busy with everybody else but you. Overpriced and waste of my money.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
A very nice restaurant located by the sea which offers very good quality meat at a very good price. the food was very good and the service was very fast even with a full restaurant.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Solid food quickly served, compared to the price we got big portions. Restaurant with nice view on ocean.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Steak
Great seaside steak house with great view on ocean, steaks are well prepared and it is a good portion.
Kid-friendliness: Kids are definetely welcomed here, especially because beach is just infront of restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Steak
The place was very busy, this is common in the Algarve region, so don't be surprised if the waiters don't speak Portuguese, there is immense pressure to place the order and then to hurry up even if you haven't been there for long! But despite this, it has an effective service! The food is very good, and has a varied menu despite being a steakhouse!
Great beach place ? fantastic beach food ? lovely beach atmosphere ⛱️
Saíd took great care of us ????
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice location. Food ok but nothing special. Three onion rings isn’t really a “side of onion rings” and four scallops for €16.50 is very poor value.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Ate here today with my family on seafront, family of 5 , we all went for steaks onr t-bone ,2 sirloin and one ribeye, and kids meal steak the meat was very tough and poor quality, we ordered all the steaks medium and They came out rare and well done. Worst experience I have ever had on holidays. Avoid this place. We ate 2 days earlier in oceano restaurant next door was amazing ?
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
There is pressure to order and it takes time to serve. They served all the foreigners and the Portuguese only watched the food being passed to the other tables! Terrible service and service!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Super friendly staff, at the top. The meat there was delicious. Unfortunately, out of 5 adults in our group, 3 were sick 2 hours after the meal. I therefore have some doubts about the quality of the meat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 5
Perfect, steak , chips and beer ! Amazing view and vibe
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Steak
Staff were very lovely, great service. Good recommendation of steak and had onion rings.Really enjoyed the sparkling sangria.
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beef Steak
Beach side restaurant, exceptionally good food and service.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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