Reviews - MöTAO Vilamoura
Reviews
8.8of 10
Ratings and reviews can only be left by guests who have booked with TheFork.
Roisin K. • 1 review
August 27, 2025
5.5/10It’s very obvious the front of house female staff at this restaurant are unaware that their job is to be warm and welcoming towards guests. They were downright rude, dismissive and had a shocking superiority complex. They turned us away initially from our booking because one girls shoes went against their policy of no flipflops. We came back again after going home to change the shoes and they then tried to turn us away AGAIN for a different girl in our groups shoes that they decided also weren’t appropriate despite 25 minutes before saying they were perfectly fine. They made us wait another 10-15 minutes while they went to find someone else to decide and blatantly ignored us while we stood there, standing vaping and scrolling on their phones. Eventually we were told it was fine to be taken to our table (an hour after our initial arrival). Not a single smile or ounce of warmth from these girls working here. A hostile and uncomfortable atmosphere from the get go.
Michele F. • 1 review
August 23, 2025
2/10Awful dining experience, appalling service and cold food! We waited over 45 minutes for our drinks, which when they arrived were incorrect, drinks were missing from the order, we had to address drinks issue a further two times before we all had a drink this took over an hour. Starters were cold and a dish missing from the order. Main dishes were also cold no staff came to the table to check food was ok. We had attempted to order a few more drinks only half the order turned up. We advised waitress food was cold, she did not come back to table and sent another waiter with the bill. We paid, but were charged for drinks we did not receive. Spoke to the manager who was totally uninterested in hearing about our awful experience. I would not recommend this restaurant.
João R. • 5 reviews
August 19, 2025
3/10The food was far from impressive, especially considering the high prices. Service was very slow. The ambiance also didn’t stand out — nothing special. Overall, not worth the cost.
João V. • 1 review
August 12, 2025
10/10
Pleasantly surprised by how good it actually was. Superb
Kim N. • 1 review
August 12, 2025
8.5/10Wonderful ambiance and delicious meal. The Softshell Crab Rolls were a hit with everyone.
Saeed D. • 1 review
August 11, 2025
2.5/10Absolutely terrible experience from start to finish. The service was slow, inattentive, and careless. The food was overpriced for the quality — bland, poorly presented, and nowhere near worth the cost. To top it off, the waiter forgot to deduct the deposit we had already paid and almost overcharged us by nearly €200. Thankfully we caught it, but it showed a complete lack of professionalism and attention to detail. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for good food, fair value, or competent service.
MRS H. • 2 reviews
August 6, 2025
5/10We were eager to dine at Motao Thai Restaurant in the Algarve, attracted by its stunning decor and vibrant ambiance. The interior, adorned with beautiful pictures, creates a warm vibe. However, the staff’s grumpy demeanor overshadowed this. Unlike the warm hospitality typical of the Algarve, we felt like we were in a military drill—cold and unwelcoming. The food was average, nothing remarkable. Most frustrating was the unexplained service charge added to the bill. We always tip for good service, but this felt forced and unjustified given the staff’s attitude. Despite the lovely setting, Motao’s poor service and lack of transparency made this a disappointing experience. We won’t return.
Margarida V. • 10 reviews
July 24, 2025
9.5/10The food was delicious, really good music and nice service!! They have a taxi boat service to take you to the marina and back… that was super convenient.
Suelly V. • 9 reviews
July 11, 2025
4/10
Terrible service – felt completely unwelcome We had an extremely disappointing experience. From the moment we arrived, we were treated as if we weren’t welcome. We were separated and placed at a corner table, isolated from the rest of the restaurant, even though there were at least four empty tables around us. The service throughout was poor and unprofessional. Overall, it was a terrible experience and not what you’d expect when dining out.
Sophie H. • 2 reviews
August 23, 2024
7.5/10The service was slow and its missing curry with the main dishes as most of the mains are dry but was nice
Fernando O. • 66 reviews
July 27, 2024
10/10Excelente sushi by @danielmachadosushiman 👌
vicky e. • 3 reviews
July 13, 2024
3/10We only had starters as we booked then read the reviews , we had chicken satay which had no flavors and over cooked I would not go to this restaurant avoid at all costs as it's so expensive
Dean C. • 1 review
June 29, 2024
4.5/10Dreadful place
Cindy B. • 6 reviews
August 24, 2023
6.5/10
The service was great, all the staff were very friendly, the sushi we ate was good quality but we thought it was very expensive for what it was. Cocktails were very expensive.
Carla D. • 1 review
July 23, 2023
9.5/10Beautiful restaurant. Outstanding food and cocktails.
Sergio D. • 1 review
July 18, 2023
8/10
Great cocktail, starter, main course and dessert we’re good. top presentation . Service was good the waiter friendly but missing English speaking. The price was a too high considering the wages in the country. I recommend this place although.
Hayk P. • 1 review
June 17, 2023
10/10Thenk you for the perfect night Papanian
Ishita W. • 1 review
June 11, 2023
3.5/10The food was very bad- uncooked, cold. 0 'fine' in the fine dining. Serving tissues with a fork and spoon, changing plates and cutlery multiple times but not bringing properly cooked hot food. Do NOT recomend at all!
Marisa F. • 1 review
April 24, 2023
10/10Both my and my partner absolutely loved everything about this place - from the decor, to the food to the service we recieved, everything was 5 stars. Best pad Thai I have eaten, and would definitely be back here again in the future. Thank you for having us.
Donna S. • 1 review
November 29, 2022
10/10
Beatrice was very friendly and helpful and the chef cooked a beautiful tasty meal. My birthday celebration meal was a memorable one. Thank you.
Pearl L. • 2 reviews
November 24, 2022
10/10Perfect for special occasions or date nights! Such a pretty restaurant with amazing decor. The atmosphere, view and the service was exceptional!
Sara S. • 4 reviews
November 16, 2022
10/10The food was lovely, the service was fantastic. Beatriz was this lovely waitress with a lot of knowledge about the food and cocktails she was a delight. Gustavo was the sushi chef really good sushi with a great service and a very friendly smile..everything was perfect. Thank you so much Beatriz and Gustavo for a unforgettable evening.. Will be back and recomend friends for sure..
Suman C. • 48 reviews
September 23, 2022
10/10Lovely meal. We were there in the low season so it was quiet. Heard it has a different ambience in the summer
Siobhan R. • 1 review
September 12, 2022
10/10Everyone should experience Mo-Tao, from the water taxi over to the exquisite cuisine , it definitely is a great place to try .
Clare N. • 2 reviews
September 3, 2022
7.5/10Although our server was lovely, service was slow and understanding was an issue although I realise I should try to learn more Portuguese
Rui S. • 30 reviews
August 17, 2022
10/10Amazing environment. Amazing food. Highly recommended.
luca g. • 223 reviews
August 14, 2022
2/10They are very unfriendly and so ridiculous. The food is bad and the staff is very unfriendly. Never more in my life but all the best!
Joao A. • 53 reviews
August 12, 2022
9.5/10Good food in an exceptional ambience outside on a lovely August evening, all provided for a wonderful experience. Restaurant is very trendy yet child friendly. Long walk around the Marina so I suggest a 2 minute-long aqua taxi across the water.
Marc H. • 21 reviews
October 16, 2021
10/10I ate here with my girlfriend just out of season and the concept, fantastic food and atmosphere was well worth the visit, the only thing that let it down was the restaurant was hard to find whilst on foot and it could do with being better advertised however this has no reflection on Mo Tao as a restaurant. Overall very satisfied and will definitely visit again.
Eimear M. • 1 review
September 23, 2021
4.5/10Main courses were disappointing, too expensive for what it was! Service was slow and it didn’t seem busy Dessert was extremely disappointing
Eduardo M. • 42 reviews
September 11, 2021
10/10My wife and I went there for our anniversary and it was indeed a special night. Great ambience and service, the food is delicious and surprising. We'll be back!
Aisling P. • 2 reviews
September 4, 2021
2/10This was the worst meal I have ever had by a long mile (and I eat in very nice places). The food was pure garbage (watery curry and stale sushi), the drinks were garbage (no alcohol and the espresso martini was watery coffee rind), The staff were told we were unhappy but did not rectify (unprofessional). Never visit this establishment unless you want to be scammed and leave upset.
Ronak K. • 2 reviews
August 26, 2021
6/10Overpriced for mediocre food and drinks. The dumplings didn’t have any taste. The tofu bao was extremely dry and no taste overall. Have eaten better food. Total rip off!
Miguel D. • 28 reviews
August 10, 2021
10/10Great place, fantastic music, professional staff and very trendy ambiance - definitely a must go! In addition parking is very easy just next to the restaurant. Miguel
Samantha B. • 1 review
August 2, 2021
3/10Terrible service and waited for an hour and a half before getting the starter which was cold and sub standard, unfortunately the night ended where we had to leave without any food! Such a shame as the decor, setting and DJ were great.
Danny N. • 5 reviews
July 12, 2021
10/10
What a great place! If you visit Vilamoura you must visit Mo Tao. Lovely food, relaxing atmosphere and top service for a affordable price. Thank you for a great night out!
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