The
bar of the Pousada, by the comfortable living room with a huge fireplace, is
crossed by the river that comes from the mountains and carries water to the tanks and lakes of the monastery. It is the ideal place to have a warm and comforting drink on cold days, and the perfect atmosphere for a nightcap or a coffee after dinner.
The
restaurant area at the Pousada of Santa Maria do Bouro is unique: set in the old kitchen of the Monastery, with the reconstructed original chimney, two impressive ovens and small food heating stoves cut into the stone, it is decorated with a huge granite table that has withstood all looting and bad weather, where the breakfast and dessert buffet is served.
In the hallway of arches, is a carved source, which since the renovations of the XVII century, brings fresh mountain water to drink. Winter is the
season of the lamprey, one of the major national gastronomic traditions.
Start with the cover - the seasoned olives, butters, olive oil, salt flower and fresh bread, as well as a trilogy of snacks. Whether it is traditional roasted chorizo, cod salad or bowl of porridge, your appetite will be stimulated to taste the flavors that Minho has to offer. In the starters, in addition to the tropical fruit salad with prawns, you will find an octopus carpaccio and a hunting basket on vegetables from the garden and apple, which are worth every bite.
Besides the
vegetarian dishes and risottos for those who prefer more known flavors; is the flagship the
Bacalhau (cod) à narcisa, typical of Braga; or the much appreciated "Bacalhau à moda do Convento do Bouro". Among the meat dishes, the rojões à moda do Minho, the rice "galo pica no chão"; the huge veal chop; and the delicious Portuguese-style steak, all bringing the air of the mountain to your table.
In the secular granite table try the amazing desserts:
pudding abade de priscos, the
quindão, the
golden soup, the
papo d'anjo, and the chocolate mousse. The
Amares orange pie, typical of the region, is very fresh and slightly sweet, ideal to finish the meal. In this ancient monastery, there are many heavenly things, and the meals in this amazing space are only one of them.