Vila Joya is the famous gourmet restaurant of the equally famous boutique hotel Vila Joya, located in the Algarve region in Portugal. Both the hotel and the restaurant share the same philosophy: offer their guests an unforgettable, intimate experience with only the best that Portugal has to offer. For more information about the exclusive Vila Joya hotel, please consult our Hotel section.

Restaurant Vila Joya is located in the heart of the hotel and from the terrace, diners enjoy marvellous views on the ocean, Galé beach and beautiful greenery. The interior is classical, mixing luxury and tradition. In summer season, most meals are served on the outside terrace which is located on the top of a small hill and only a few metres from the ocean. The proximity of the sea makes that you can hear, smell and feel the ocean during your meal. Indeed, this stunning location makes Vila Joy definitely one of Portugal’s most exclusive dining environments.

Executive Chef Dieter Koschina is in charge of the kitchen of Vila Joya restaurant. The Chef slowly but certainly made the restaurant to what it is today: one of the best restaurants in the region. Dieter Koschina has an impressive experience record. He started with a training at some of Northern Europe’s best restaurants where he learnt the art of fine-dining and the focus on details. His career in Portugal started more than 25 years ago and over the years Dieter learnt to know the Portuguese kitchen and flavours like no other. Today he is assisted by Head Chef Stefan Langmann in the kitchen of Vila Joya. What is absolutely unique about Vila Joya is the fact that the menu changes every day. This way, hotel guests have the possibility to enjoy a totally different 6-course menu each and every single day. During lunch there also is an à la carte menu available, featuring some of the signature dishes of the Chef.

At Vila Joya, Dieter combines local products with Northern-European inspired cooking techniques in his kitchen. He starts from a classical base and offers pronounced and flavourful dishes to his guests. Top-quality products, lots of seafood, and beautifully prepared sauces are important aspects of his cuisine. A signature starter dish is the preparation with the famous Carabinero prawns from Portugal. They are served in a glass, with on the bottom an avocado cream, topped with a brunoise of tomatoes, nice pieces of slightly baked Carabinero prawn, jalapeno foam, and finished with some flowers and herbs. A stunning and delicious starter. Another famous dish is the lobster serving, with a ravioli from celery, an intense lobster sauce and perfectly baked lobster.

Attention to detail is not only important in the kitchen of Vila Joya: it is an aspect you will also find in the service, which is attentive, professional and discrete.

The wines are selected and presented by French sommelier Arnaud Vallet. Guests can choose a bottle from the interesting wine menu, offering many Portuguese wines as well as a selection of international wines, or go for the interesting wine pairing option. For the full Vila Joya experience, try one of the tasting menus together with the wine pairing – you will not be disappointed.

Written by Sven & Frank