„Tudo começa com uma recomendação.“
(Everything begins with a recommendation.)
Sometimes it is exactly these unplanned stops that stay with you the longest. That was the case with our lunch in São Francisco do Sul, a small harbour town in the south of Brazil, in the state of Santa Catarina. Located directly by the sea, São Francisco do Sul may not be a place everyone immediately has on their radar, but it is certainly worth a visit. Our stop was part of a cruise; I will share more about the cruise ship itself in a separate post.
Location of the Restaurant
Convés Restaurant is located inside the Hotel Villa Real, directly on the coast of São Francisco do Sul. The setting is calm and relaxed, with uninterrupted views of the sea – perfect for a leisurely lunch away from any hustle and bustle. From the outside, the restaurant appears rather understated and almost inconspicuous. All the more surprising is the moment you step inside and realise how warm, welcoming and pleasant the interior actually is.
Arrival & First Impression
From the very beginning, we were welcomed in a genuinely friendly manner. Even though we did not have a reservation, the team took their time and offered us one of the most beautiful tables on the first floor, with a view towards the sea. This first interaction already showed how attentive and professional the service is. You immediately feel welcome and well taken care of.
Atmosphere & Interior
The restaurant is designed in warm beige and natural tones, creating a calm, open and inviting atmosphere. It is stylish without feeling formal – relaxed, comfortable and understated. On that day, the weather was slightly overcast, but the view of the sea was still beautiful. The water lay calm in front of us, setting the perfect scene for an unhurried lunch.
Cuisine & Concept
At Convés Restaurant, the cuisine is modern, with a clear focus on regional products. Fresh fish and seafood are particularly recommended by many guests. Looking back, I think that is something we slightly missed.
The Lunch
We started with a small amuse-bouche from the kitchen, something I always appreciate.
For lunch, we first had a fresh salad and then chicken with garlic spaghetti. Everything was simple, honest and well made and went well with this lunch.
To finish, we shared two different desserts. Overall, everything came together very nicely and felt well balanced for this lunch.
Based on recommendations, choosing one of the fresh fish dishes would probably have been the better option, as this clearly seems to be one of the restaurant’s strengths.
Regarding the wine, I have to admit I found it a little challenging. I am not familiar with Brazilian wines at all and wasn’t quite sure what would suit my taste. That was entirely on me, not the restaurant – next time, I would certainly come better prepared 😊
Service
The service was consistently friendly and attentive. The staff regularly checked in to make sure everything was to our satisfaction, and it was clear that great importance is placed on making guests feel comfortable. Requests were handled naturally and without any complications.
Final Thoughts
It was a pleasure to discover this restaurant, and I am grateful to have experienced this special corner of the world. Our lunch at Convés Restaurant was thoroughly enjoyable and remains a very positive memory. A restaurant with style, where you feel at ease and leave with a genuinely good feeling.
„Foi um almoço tranquilo, em um lugar especial, daqueles que a gente conhece uma vez e guarda com carinho na memória.“
(It was a relaxed lunch in a special place – one you discover once and carry with you fondly in your memory.)
Looks so beautiful!