Reviews - Arola
Reviews
9.3of 10
Ratings and reviews can only be left by guests who have booked with TheFork.
Dan G. • 12 reviews
October 5, 2024
7.5/10+2We were a bit disappointed in what we hoped would be a Michelin-star-adjacent experience. We got the 66 € tasting menu and a kids meal. On the positive side, our waitress was very nice and the kids meal was terrific. And the food was presented very well. The veal croquettes were excellent. But sadly the food wasn’t quite up to par with what we expected. Some misses: the patatas bravas lacked spice, the entrecôte had a tough sinew through much of it, the panna cotta was largely dissolved, the meringue in the pavlova was hard as a rock. And when I asked for bearnaise sauce with the steak we got hollandaise. At this price point, those kind of details matter. I think most aggravating was that we only got one entree for the two of us to share under the tasting menu, which struck us both as quite odd (considering the whole meal cost almost 200 €). I think they can do better.
Katherine C. • 2 reviews
July 25, 2024
9/10Every single thing we ordered off the menu tasted amazing, and we had really great, affordable wine. The lush green backdrop is a bonus!
Catherine W. • 1 review
June 27, 2024
10/10Arola was amazing, everyone is so welcoming, the sea rice was one of our favorites!
Karen B. • 1 review
June 20, 2024
10/10Excellent food and great service
Nadia L. • 2 reviews
June 10, 2024
10/10Wonderful experience!
Ross W. • 2 reviews
April 11, 2024
9/10Wonderful food, great service - just wish they did more food service and drinks outside on the balcony.
Maryna V. Shevchenko M. • 1 review
March 23, 2024
10/10More people in this area need this experience. I live in Cascais for six months already and found out about this place only because of their chocolate. Guys, you do a great job and service.
Ross W. • 2 reviews
March 10, 2024
10/10Exceptional service, very good food, good views and a lovely environment. It's a destination restaurant but worth the trip
Dorothe S. • 114 reviews
October 25, 2023
3.5/10Very very poor the calamari was fried in pork fat we had one guest what is pescatarian !!!!! We asked for ONE appetizer they charged us for 3 Never never again and being a reporter for food this is absolutely not interesting for me and will advise my magazine
Matthew E. • 1 review
July 17, 2023
3.5/10I went to this place as I had been told it was up for a Michelin star, but I have no idea why? For starters there was no one at the door, instead the guy was behind the bar making some cocktail and casually asked us over like we had just walked into a pub or something? On top of that I told them we would not be having cocktails and yet they still brought cocktails to our table almost as if they where selling some new drink or something. The cocktail was pure sugar so I had them take it back . For food I had the T-Bone, even though it was medium rare it was dry, tough and had hardly any taste. My Mother had the Sea Bass, and it was a tiny fillet with zero garnish, I know they are trying to be modern but it was a joke, The mixed Vegetables side was actually a normal lettuce salad with some grilled mushrooms in it . I have eaten all over the world and I think they are trying to be modern and fancy but they really don't have service or the food quality to deliver this, especially for the price. On the service front the waiter was pleasant , but only gave us water once and never returned to check on refilling out water . Also they even where going to bring my mothers dish first before mine? She objected as she obviously wanted to eat with me together. For a 220 Euro bill I was left hungry and without the feeling like I had been really taken care of .
Aparupa B. • 1 review
July 3, 2023
7.5/10The food was very good and the staff were so kind. Things were very slow to come out and we almost had to ask for some of our food to be cancelled as it was taking so long to arrive. Atmosphere was nice, we were hoping for a romantic evening though - be prepared that it's a restaurant at the resort, so there is a mix of families and couples, business and vacation.
Pebbles W. • 2 reviews
May 25, 2023
5/10My husband and I dined at Arola and were incredibly disappointed in the experience. The service was substandard, the food was really just ok and the prices were relatively high.
Sara H. • 1 review
May 13, 2023
10/10Exceeded our expectations! Staff was friendly and professional, making great recommendations. Food was delicious? Unique flavours and so many great options to choose from!
Paulo N. • 189 reviews
February 26, 2023
10/10Beautiful view, excellent food. From the starters to the mains, all really good. Service was also excellent.
Pete S. • 3 reviews
February 15, 2023
10/10The wait staff and bartender are very friendly and capable
R B. • 2 reviews
February 4, 2023
7/10Food is extraordinary, staff tries but is just very chaotic, ambiance was awesome in 1994 but needs some updating. However, especially the staff is a common Portuguese service problem. We noticed it in the airport upon departure as well, total chaos! Big difference to Spain where we normally come.
Mark O. • 116 reviews
December 19, 2022
10/10We had a great lunch with very attentive service (thanks Dan), and wonderful food in a really beautiful room with a spectacular view of the property!
Arun N. • 2 reviews
November 20, 2022
9.5/10For a restaurant of this stature they did not have enough menus and the meal got off to a rocky start but the chefs menu was great and food quality was amazing.
Curtis S. • 34 reviews
November 17, 2022
10/10The restaurant has a marvelous view over the golf course and the Serra de Sintra, making it an outstanding place to have lunch on a sunny day, as we did. The food was first rate, the service superb.
Martin M. • 32 reviews
October 30, 2022
10/10Simply stunning
Pamela H. • 8 reviews
October 3, 2022
9/10Our dinner at Arola was very nice due to great interior setting and wonderful service. I thought the food was fantastic, however my husband was not happy with his “burger”. Several menu items were not available (even at an early hour). We both enjoyed the Mushrooms and mixed vegetables (salad of grilled vegetables and baby lettuces). I had Sea Bass and it was delicious. Considering the Michelin star chef, we expected better and were a bit disappointed with the food and the price.
Gary M. • 3 reviews
September 15, 2022
10/10Food was fantastic and the ambience was informal but very professional. Bruno looked after us wonderfully all evening.
Aileen C. • 2 reviews
September 10, 2022
8/10Tapas look and taste American . Price is little high . The pasta dish was better . Since we are staying in hotel will go back instead of going out to town .
Nadir O. • 2 reviews
September 3, 2022
10/10Very nice place & food ia great! Small of everything is recommended as all are well cooked. Good service and wine options Staff is regular there and always welcome you well.
Margaret B. • 1 review
June 23, 2022
10/10Lunch was delicious and so memorable. There were 5 in our party and everyone of us thought this was wonderful meal with a pretty view. The wait staff were very attentive and gave 2 of our guests complete confidence that their allergy restrictions would be strictly followed (gluten free). We enjoyed a variety of menu items and everything was superb. The combination of flavors were different and worked so well. We continue to talk about this wonderful lunch.
Joan F. • 2 reviews
June 1, 2022
10/10Not a disappointment. Excellent in all aspects.
José Carlos C. • 4 reviews
March 28, 2022
5/10Appetisers where out of this world. Excellent and delicious. The main course the "choletão" was so disappointing. The meet was served cold and was already oxydized as it was served 15min after it was ready. The server took it back, and they served us the same steak now without the bone and arranged on a way to look like a something different. I have to say is a 55€ steak that we couldn’t eat it. then the server dropped some steak on my shoes that was just unfortunate. this all experience was disappointing. I took my wife on a surprise and we left with the note not worth it the money at all.
Roland B. • 50 reviews
March 27, 2022
9/10Bra mat, men
Rodrigo C. • 4 reviews
January 15, 2022
9.5/10Clearly higher than average quality of food experience. Waiters were friendly and helpfull. Although we found a nice wine, the wine list could be somewhat more diverse, All in all, the only drawback is clearly the price, especially of the wines that are grossly over-priced (and for this there is NO justification). Will certainly recommend.
Pestana L. • 18 reviews
November 7, 2021
10/10You are entering a different world with modern decor and outlook to the gorgeous first and last hole of a professional golf course. Food meets high standard coupled with friendly service
Alec B. • 17 reviews
September 4, 2021
10/10Always very good.
Mike r. • 2 reviews
August 22, 2021
10/10Great food and service
Mike r. • 2 reviews
August 20, 2021
10/10Second time we have eaten here in a week and it didn’t disappoint even with our 10 month old baby! The front of house provide a fantastic service which complements perfectly the quality of food. The kitchen team have produced two great meals and we will be back later this week to sample more excellent food.
Pedro S. • 8 reviews
August 12, 2021
7/10Not the best experience for the price, definitely. The food is nothing special, wines are insanely expensive. The good part is the charme of Penha Longa.
Mathias H. • 15 reviews
July 18, 2021
7.5/10Arola is the more relaxed restaurants of chef Sergi Arola (who also has Michelin starred LAB next door). This is mix of modern Portuguese cuisine with Spanish influences. Overall the food quality was pretty good, the tapas were a bit surprisingly the weaker part of the menu as they were pretty standard (not bad but just nothing special) but the rice dishes and grilled meats were excellent. The space is interesting, the whole restaurant has huge glass windows so it becomes very light. A bit surprised that there was nothing to block the sun. First table we were given half of us had the sun straight in our eyes so asked for a change of tables. The restaurant is also entirely in white so it adds to the very bright look of the place. Perhaps not my style but it was ok. Wine selection was a bit disappointing, I would have hoped for a bit more progressive wine selection. Good that it was heavily Portuguese but I would like to have seen some more modern wine makers given a prominent place on the wine list. We had some pretty ok wines but as with the other restaurants at Penha Longa Resort the price level is roughly double what you pay at other local restaurants for the same wine. Overall still worth a visit, especially if staying at the property it is probably the best overall option at the hotel grounds. I would say that it is together with LAB also the only restaurants at the hotel that I would recommend anyone not staying at the hotel actually going to any way.
Patricia F. • 7 reviews
June 3, 2021
6.5/10The food is good but it takes far to long to get to the table. Spanish tapas with a twist, but annoying not to have a simple beer taken to the table in time.
Fgn n. • 2 reviews
May 11, 2021
8.5/10Good food, informal, expensive considering the type of meal.
Tafadzwa N. • 9 reviews
April 12, 2021
10/10The food is amazing as well as the customer service. The ambiance is wonderful especially if you sit inside the restaurant. The noise levels vary with the day
Rui M. • 146 reviews
December 19, 2020
5.5/10Poor service that’s a shame!
MERILin L. • 8 reviews
December 16, 2020
9.5/10The staff was super . Quick service. We felt well taken care of. Amazing food. So many flavours. The presentation was already mouth watering. Definitely worth a visit. Don’t skip the dessert. They are fantastic !
Tripadvisor reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
Arola
Book a table for
Are you a restaurant owner?
Register your Restaurant
Tell us more about you and we will contact you as soon as possible
Already a Client
Log in to TheFork Manager and contact us by Chat.