Our friends A&B have been raving about a meat-intensive utterly delicious restaurant in the hills just above Guimares. A bunch of us arranged cars and set out on a bit of an adventure.

The location is obscure, and our driver went back and forth a few times using Google, but we eventually found our way to the top of a mountain, Penha, and the Santuário da Penha. This is a popular place with locals, and some tour groups.

But if you walk just a wee ways down from there, you’ll see this sign:

Adega do Ermitão is a phenomenal cave, naturally formed, and used to store an excellent red green wine, served in a porcelain jug with individual clay bowls, and accompanied with a variety of grilled meat. an open-air tavern where the floor is made of natural granite, the ceiling is made of natural granite, and the walls (when there are any) are made of natural granite. The counter is carved out of a huge rock.

And the food is so, SO, good!

Not for vegetarians.

Go early-ish, because the people in the know are there for hours. At about 25 mins from Braga central, it’s a great mid-week day trip, especially in the warmer months. Bring some friends, the dog is welcome, and keep a lookout for the local (exceedingly friendly) cats.

Here’s a map to help you find your way.

(some images from the restaurant’s Facebook page)