
If you ask anybody in the know where you can have a good Indian meal in the western Algarve, you will almost certainly be told “Pashmina”. Serving authentic Indian cuisine, in a relatively short period of time Pashmina has managed to create a very loyal client base, thanks to the quality of the food and the professional service.
At Pashmina you can count on real Indian food. Nothing is moderated or altered to suit foreign palates. The team at Pashmina all hail from the Delhi region of Northern India and the food served here is typical of that area. The cooks, all Indian, are highly trained, having worked in several 5 star hotels in India. They use their expertise blending their home-ground spices to create flavour, rather than just tossing in a few more chillies. The menu is extensive, featuring all the usual favourites – dansaks, masalas, jalfrezis – as well as some dishes unique to Pashmina. There is a good selection of vegetarian dishes and even a childrens menu. To keep the authentic experience going you can drink Cobra and Kingfisher Indian beer at Pashmina, or if you prefer, choose from the good list of Portuguese wines.
The Pashmina brand currently has two restaurants – in Praia de Luz and in Lagos. In Praia de Luz the restaurant, which opened in 2008, is next to the quaint church, and the terrace has great views across the rocks down to the sea. The décor is lovely – a long wooden bar running the length of the restaurant, wooden ceilings and the floor is traditional Portuguese calçada.
In Lagos, the Pashmina restaurant is set right on the main avenue, just down a little from the market. Open only since April 2009, the restaurant has, like it sister in Luz, a pleasing décor - teak tables and chairs, lovely lighting and a surprisingly spacious interior. Here, Pashmina can cater very well for private parties, setting up a fantastic buffet with all your favourite dishes.
The service at both Pashmina restaurnts is always professional and friendly. The staff take very good care of their clients – remembering their favourite dishes or their preferred wine. The overall experience at Pashmina is one of quality - not just excellent food, but also lovely surroundings and more than competent service.