A Choupana (“the hut”) is a wooden, open-air grill restaurant on Praia do Farol, the lighthouse beach at Vila Nova de Milfontes on the Alentejo coast. The River Mira meets the Atlantic right in front of it. It lets a family turn a beach day into a sit-down meal: children play on the sand, adults eat grilled fish a few steps away, and in summer the sun sets over the river mouth.
01A Choupana
What is on the grill
The menu is short and built around a big charcoal grill that diners can see. Odemira’s tourism office lists the specialities as fresh grilled fish, febras (thin pork steaks), young beef chops and frango no churrasco, Portuguese barbecued chicken. Time Out describes the fish as very fresh, caught along this coast, and cooked by people who know what they are doing.
Sea bream (dourada) and clams cooked with garlic and coriander (amêijoas à Bulhão Pato) are the most popular dishes on Google Maps. Diners also mention sardines, mackerel and prawns, usually with chips and a salad.
For children, the barbecued chicken with chips is the safe choice. Grilled fish arrives whole, so be ready to take the bones out, and ask for a small or shared portion.
02A Choupana
Is A Choupana good for young children?
It is informal and outdoors, and the beach is right there when small people finish first. The listings we checked mention no kids’ menu or high chairs, so ask when you book, and plan to share a chicken between small children.
A few things to know. You reach the restaurant down a staircase from above, so leave the buggy in the car or carry the baby. Shellfish is priced separately and can add up quickly, so check the price before ordering prawns. And sunset is the most sought-after time in summer, which means a late dinner for little ones; an early lunch is calmer.
03A Choupana
Hours and booking
Odemira tourism lists A Choupana as open from 10:00 to 22:00 and closed on Mondays. Google Maps also shows it closed on Mondays and opening at 10:00 on Tuesdays, which fits. Hours can change out of the summer season, so ring if you are driving over specially. For summer dinners, especially around sunset, phone ahead on +351 283 011 275.
Expect to spend about €20 to €45 a head, based on what diners report on Google Maps.
04A Choupana
The beach in front
Praia do Farol is a Blue Flag beach with small waves, lifeguards every day from 10:00 to 19:00 in the bathing season, parking and toilets. At low tide long sandbanks appear where the river meets the sea, and children can wade and explore them. Keep swimmers close where river and sea water mix.
05A Choupana
Making a day of it
Across the river, Praia das Furnas is a lifeguarded river beach with calmer water, reached over the bridge or by a summer boat. In town, the public garden has a free playground and water features. Further south along the coast is Praia do Almograve.
06A Choupana
Questions parents ask
Is there a kids’ menu?
None is listed. Barbecued chicken with chips is the easiest choice for children, and you can ask for a portion to share.
Do you need to book?
The listings do not give a booking rule. For summer dinners, especially at sunset, phone ahead on +351 283 011 275.
When is it closed?
On Mondays. The rest of the week it is listed as open from 10:00 to 22:00; check out of season.
Can you take a buggy?
Not easily. The restaurant is reached down a staircase, so bring a baby carrier.
Where these details come from
Checked on 27 September 2026. Menus, prices and opening hours change, so confirm before you go.