We really, really like pizza. | Photography by Clare Lewington
It’s about balance. Hearty but healthy. Local but international. We call it Sunshine Food. The defining moments of many people’s stay at Soul & Surf over the years have been the communal, post-surf meals in our gardens. These late, leisurely lunches and dinners tend to be the time when things are organised, like-minded people are met, plots are hatched, plans are made and friendships blossom.
We love to eat. And to drink. We do it all the time. It’s not insta-perfect hipster buddha bowls or Michelin fine dining. It’s just the right amount of naughty indulgence and restorative goodness; one minute you’re reaching for vegan raw energy balls after a surf, the next you’re feasting on local Portuguese barbeques. That’s what we call balance.
Covid-times
Of course, then Covid-19 came along and made shared mealtimes a thing of the past… almost. The good news is, as we have so much outside space, we have been able to refresh our set-up so that we can still share food together, albeit with a few changes to the process. Our large outdoor dining table is plenty big enough for everyone still to fit socially distanced. Talk to the team if you’re at all nervous about it.
Nourishment
More than just the menus we create, the meals we cook, the drinks we serve or the ingredients we use; it’s a way of feeding our souls.
So it’s no surprise that we are kind of stoked on serving up food and drinks which inspire you and make you feel good, whether you’re in the water, in the yoga studio or just chilling in the sun.
Developed by our head cook Rachel Weir and co-founder Sofie, the Soul & Surf menu is all about wild health; using nature in our dishes but not making it about #cleaneating - it’s more down to earth than that.
Everywhere we look, we’re surrounded by vibrant and colourful produce out here in the sunshine. This inspires dishes which start as modern twists on local Portuguese food and then range further afield - as we take inspiration from sunshine cuisines from around the world, from sunny salads to soulful sides.
We’re about integrating local produce and local techniques with global cuisine; fusing health with indulgence and always making sure our food looks as beautiful as it tastes.
Sunshine food, as we like to call it.
It’s not insta-perfect hipster buddha bowls or Michelin fine dining. It’s just the right amount of naughty indulgence and restorative goodness.
What You Get
Summer
In summer season we start the day with a breakfast of tea, coffee, toast served with homemade nut butter, tahini and local marmalade, and yogurt with fruits and homemade granola. Each day we do a different additional option too, which can be consumed at the hotel or taken away to the beach if you need a bit of something to keep you going. The non-surfers of course can take a little more time eating and drinking all the above at a pace of their choosing.
For lunch and dinner we have a set menu that we’ve lovingly curated using local, seasonal ingredients. These dishes will change depending on the time of year, and can be eaten at a more leisurely pace than breakfast (unless you are the GM, Adam, whose eating speed would impress a hungry wolf pack).
Winter
If you are staying with us in winter, we’ll set you up for the day with our nourishing Sunshine Soul breakfast, and you‘ll be able to help yourself to tea and coffee whenever you fancy. We’ll keep the fruit bowl stocked for you too – plus winter is the season for the orange groves, so you can even help yourself to fruit straight from the trees.
Group lunches or dinners aren't a standard part of the deal at this time of the year but can be arranged with plenty of warning.
Want a little taste of our food at home? Try our coconut roti breakfast...