Henrique Leis

Henrique Leis is a fine-dining restaurant on the road between Loule and Quinta do Lago, opened in 1993 by the Brazilian-born chef of the same name. Henrique Leis trained in Rio de Janeiro, where culinary consultant Margarida Nogueira gave him his first head chef role in 1982 at the restaurant Bem Feito, then went on to work alongside European chefs including Paul Bocuse, Pierre Troisgros, Guy Savoy, Pierre Gagnaire and Gaston Lenotre before settling in the Algarve. The kitchen, run together with Maria Rafael, blends international and local ingredients with a strong French classical technique. In 2000 the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star, which it held for 19 consecutive years. In 2019 Chef Henrique Leis chose to hand the star back rather than wait for it to be taken from him, while keeping the same standard of produce, plating and technique. The Michelin Guide still lists Henrique Leis among its selected restaurants in the Algarve today. The dining room changes with the seasons: a stone-walled winter room with a fireplace and warm colours, decorated with paintings by the chef himself, and a first-floor terrace that opens up in summer with views over the surrounding countryside towards the Atlantic. Henrique Leis is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday, with lunch from 12:30 to 14:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 21:30. During July and August the restaurant serves dinner only, Monday to Saturday. Reservations are recommended.