Restaurante Ocean

They deserve the stars from Michelin. Exquisitely plated tasty and creative courses that were well paired with mostly Portuguese wines. Beautiful resort setting.

An all round excellent gastronomic experience in the Algarve, shielded from mass tourism, within the grounds of Vila Vita Parc Hotel. Magnificent views while enjoying highly elaborated and creative international dishes with a focus on the sea products and some Portuguese influence. The service is amicable and attentive, providing good guidance on drinks and explanations on dishes. Worth its 2 Michelin stars (as of 2024)

Such a great experience! Everything was a delight in terms of presentation, flavor and uniqueness. Every detail is well thought out by the Chef. This year's theme is Asia. We were told previous years was Brazil and Africa. Can't wait to visit this restaurant again if we are in Algarve. The butter with the bread course was a soy sauce flavored butter. Not sure how they managed that but it was delicious. All the dishware were all so pretty, some even 3D printed by the restaurant. You will not regret this meal!

The menu felt like it was forcing the story of the chef going to visit Japan. I get it, fish but personally a lot of the courses were underwhelming. There are so many other fusion dishes you could have considered. Service was exceptionally attentive and exactly what you’d expect from a 2*. Everyone was thoughtful and went out of their way to make it a splendid evening. As one of the more expensive 2*s we’ve attended plus the wine pairing on top, I expected more.

This was a fabulous experience. The tasting menu we had was inspired by the chef's (Hans Neuner) travels throughout Asia. The menu was a 15-course tasting menu mostly composed by fish and seafood, with only one dish dedicated to meat. It was an overall amazing experience. Everything was perfectly cooked and served at the right time. We had the premium wine pairing experience, and it was absolutely amazing as well, it included a 1993 Madeira wine and a 1999 Herdade da Calada that added to the overall experience. However, the biggest surprise was a 2017 Riesling. Totally recommend this pairing. The view from the restaurant is just breathtaking and adding a seamless service to it, just made the experience all worth while.

Ocean Restaurant continues to impress, now for our 3rd consecutive year of delivering an exceptional dining experience, and it's still as good as the first time. This year’s theme focused on South-East Asia, and once again, Chef Hans Neuner took us on a wonderful culinary trip. Every dish was crafted with precision and creativity, offering bold flavors and unique combinations that left a lasting impression. In addition to the incredible food, this year they introduced a non-alcoholic drink pairing, which was absolutely superb! The carefully curated drinks perfectly complemented the dishes, enhancing the overall experience in a way that was both refreshing and sophisticated. The fantastic views of the ocean provide the perfect backdrop for a meal that’s just as spectacular. The food, however, is the true star of the show—each bite is a testament to the restaurant's dedication to excellence. It’s more than just dining here; it’s a true experience, one that continues to delight us year after year.

That crab… 🥹 hot cuisine with a friendly face. Such a wonderful evening and magical dinner. Food was flavourful, beautifully designed and often surprising. One of the best wine pairings we have experienced so far! Staff is perfectly capable of keeping the balance between Michelin star and friendly, heartwarming environment. Totally worth visiting! 😍 thank you Chef for the wonderful trip around Asia :)

It is the full five star, 11 course, 3 hour dinner experience. It is Asian themed this year and the chef does a nice job of intertwining his experiences into the food creations. We chose not to do wine pairings as it is simply too much wine an you have to drink it too fast. The waiter did a nice job of pairing 3-4 wines for us along the way which was a much more comfortable pace for us. Be ready for the bill - it is very good but it is not cheap!

Creative masterpiece! Love the thoughtful journey the chef brings us upon so dinner isn't just delicious food that tickles our taste buds but it also creates a sparkle in our eyes as we are presented incredible aesthetic dishes in a beautiful setting. Ocean is part of the Villa Vita Park resort - and holds incredible ocean views. The service is top notch and really polished (from the presentation, plating, demeanor and engagement). The menu changes annually - in 2022, it was influenced by the chef's trip to Mozambique and reflected the journey around Africa. You're presented a scroll that tells the journey and the staff explain how each course is tied into that journey. For 2023, we were told it may Brazilian influenced. It is a fixed menu so no decisions needed. Expect many small courses that delight the senses. Our favorite dish was the oyster with fresh shaved ice (performed table side!) along with the bread/butter (presented in a tackle box with layered flavors in a fish shape). Every course had a story such as the chocolate ice cream celebrating African women - presented as part of the head. Overall, a fun experience and good value (especially compared to same Michelin experience in California or New York) Note/Tip: it's not listed on their website but corkage is 45 euros if you're bringing in your bottle which felt a bit excessive but their wine/drink options were quite expensive so it's a decent option if you'd rather BYO.

I often tell people that in order to truly appreciate an ultra high end restaurant, you need to be there for more than the food. You have to understand the elements of history that go into the dish, appreciate presentation, unique ingredients, flavor combinations, etc. In essence, most of these Michelin star restaurants are trying to stimulate all five senses instead of just one (taste) and because they can do that every single time, this is why they are considered among the best restaurants in the world. I still believe that, but if Restaurante Ocean was judged purely on taste, it would be the best place I have ever eaten (for context, I've eaten at a number of restaurants ranked in the World's Top 50 and quite a few Michelin starred restaurants). Adding in the fact that they also amazed on every level of service, atmosphere, and presentation, I'm stunned this is not considered at least a top 5 dining destination in Europe. I thought Belcanto was also a 5 star experience, but truly, Ocean was on another level. Since every tasting menu is different, let me just say overall that the concept of Ocean's "Voyage to India" was perfectly executed. Moving the flavors from different regions of the world parallel to the Portuguese travel to India was a remarkable idea. It also allowed for a wide assortment of flavors featuring inspiration from across the globe including Antarctica, Mozambique, India and of course Portugal. Aside from the pure artistry from each dish, the flavor combinations never failed. Each bite was perfectly designed with multiple dishes being among the best I have eaten at any restaurant across the globe. The dining room itself is absolutely magnificent with some tables even having a gorgeous view of the ocean at night. Service was perfection with each dish being described in English, cocktails being modified to my liking, and keen observation of every individual guests' needs. I have included a few photos with some descriptions so that you can get a sampling of what Ocean does. Keep in mind that the menu may change by the time you book this experience. But I would also suggest that you just book the restaurant and prepare to be dazzled beyond your wildest imagination. In my mind, Ocean is easily better than Quintonil which was recently ranked #9 in the entire world. If that doesn't give you an idea of what I think of this experience, I don't know what to tell you.

I've eaten all over the world (including what has been recently ranked as the #1 restaurant in the world), and this place equals them all. I'm not sure why it hasn't earned its 3rd star. It deserves it. The menu was inspired by the Portuguese traveler, Vasco da Gama, on his way to India in search of a sea route to the East. What a fantastic way to showcase the length, breadth and depth of food possibilities. I won't detail each course, of which there were approximately 14, but I will say that each course was impeccably created and served. Service and food was what one would expect at a three star Michelin restaurant.

Two star Michelin Hans Neuner pulls off one of the most beautiful and artful masterpieces of fine cuisine I've ever had. With incredible views of the... Ocean. Staff that is friendly, professional and spot on with their service (ie, got up to use their restroom and 1. The hostess walked me all the way back to my seat to tuck me in and 2. They didn't fold my used napkin, they gave me a brand new one) Each dish is beautiful, incredibly creative and wonderfully executed. There was nothing I didn't like. Most Michelin restaurants these days (especially in NY) hits you with truffle, uni, or foie gras to win you over since they are the popular ingredients. Chef Neuner does none of that. Instead, he puts together fresh ingredients and artfully masters the look and flavor for you with his innovative techniques to the likes I never seen. Eleven Madison, Per Se, Chef table, or Le Bernadin pales in comparison to what Ocean brings to the culinary table. This restaurant would easily be a 3 star and actually should be. Hands down - best dining experience I've ever had.

This is a restaurant my family and I still talk about. The food was absolutely amazing. I can be a picky eater sometimes and wasn't too excited about some of the courses but I ate every single bite. Amazing presentation and stunning flavors. They were even able to keep up with my mock-tail orders (I like to try all that a restaurant has for mock-tails). A nice blend of seafood and meats. The service was also spectacular. They served by eldest women first to youngest man last in a traditional fashion. All the plates came out at once and were served in unison. A waiter would then describe the plates. They even were able to find a waiter who spoke German to come and describe the plates to my grandparents (who they realized only spoke German, when I would attempt to re-describe everything for them). As soon as someone would stand up, a waiter would rush to push in the chair or help them to the restroom. Napkins were then changed and new silverware was set up. The view was also stunning and perfect for an evening dinner. With regards to COVID-19 precautions, they were stellar. We were provided with a mask holder at the beginning of the service to stow our masks and were asked to sanitize our hands prior to entry into the restaurant. Service were wearing masks and gloves for our protection. If anyone left their table without a mask, they would kindly ask them to put one on.

Over the top and unbelievable. Worth every penny. The wait staff was amazing, the setting is incredible and the food was out of this world!! Will add more to this post when I have more time! Call and make your reservation!! I have tons of photos ... I hope I can add them. Be sure to see my menu -- it lists everything that was offered in the six course menu, however they inserted a number of other dishes from the chef as well.

This was an epic meal - every part of it! It's fine dining at its best and not only are they creative, the theme of this whimsical meal was very coherent. It mainly revolves around "the ocean" and boy, was the seafood good. Every bite was a perfectly planned delicious piece of art. The service was perfect and to top it off, the restaurant opens up to a beautiful view of the water as the sun sets.

I came here with two friends and thoroughly enjoyed the food and the experience. We made our reservations a few months in advance and had no problem getting the date that we wanted. I used their website to send a message that way. A staff member replied and helped with securing the reservation. This included noting any dietary restrictions. The restaurant is attached to a massive hotel, which has spacious and beautiful grounds. We got there a little early, as we were staying in Lagos and didn't want to be late. We opted to grab a drink at the hotel bar, which also had a lovely outdoor space. Just word to the wise if you get there early.... The decor of the restaurant is somewhat minimalist, but definitely has a maritime feel to it. Tables are spread out, so you almost feel like you have a private dining experience. The staff was exceptionally friendly, proactive, and engaging. They work extremely hard to provide a wonderful experience for diners. We opted for the tasting menu with wine pairings. Seafood was prominently featured during the evening. Aside from the seafood, there was an interesting twist on chicken piri piri. I go back and forth about adding photos of the food, but I enjoyed being surprised as items came out, so I'm refraining from putting them up here to hopefully give you that same experience. As you end the evening, dessert was excellent (due to the time of year it revolved around berries) and Portuguese sweet wines like port and Madeira were featured. While the experience is a splurge, it's definitely worth it. We also went to Vila Joya and if I had to rank them, personally I'd give Ocean a slight edge. We took Uber from Lagos to get there which was quite easy. The restaurant arranged for a taxi ride back, which is worth noting to them as I suspect several diners are also guests at the hotel. No need to drive there if you don't want to - makes it easier to enjoy the wine with the meal.

Two Michelin stars, delightful wine Pairing, intimate venue, very much avant-garde styled cuisine with about 16 courses. Small venue right on the ocean on the Algarve coast if oortugal.

Unmatched staff and service. Food was excellent but typical small single bite portions. This is a must go to while in Portugal if you are a foodie

Wonderful experience! This is the Algarve's only Michelin 2 star restaurant. The staff and service are impeccable. We had the 6 course option plus premium wine pairing. Every course was an explosion of flavor. Likewise, the wines included in the pairing were exquisite. I high recommend Ocean if you visit the Algarve.