Chico Elias
A legendary family restaurant in Tomar since the 1960s, cooking over wood fire and famous nationwide for its pumpkin rabbit.
Located in Algarvias village, about 2 km south of central Tomar, the restaurant grew out of a workers' tavern. Chico Elias's children now run it, and it still uses the original recipes of the founder's wife, cooked in a wood-fired oven. Its signature is pumpkin rabbit, rabbit meat stuffed inside a whole pumpkin and roasted. It was nominated to represent Tomar in the Seven Wonders of the Table competition. Other dishes include cod baked with pork, roast suckling lamb, grilled small sardines, and a snail and bean stew. Portions are very large. Reservations must be made by phone at least 24 hours ahead, and you must choose your dishes when booking. Expect about 25–35 euros per person. You'll need a car or taxi to get there.
Opening hours
Opening days vary; confirm by phone (sources list lunch from 12:30, with dinner on Saturdays); reservation required
Nearby sights
- Convent of Christ
- Tomar Castle
- Match Museum
- Tomar Synagogue
- Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes
- Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Conceição
- Rua Serpa Pinto & Old Town
- Church of São João Baptista & Praça da República