Praia dos Pescadores · Albufeira · Est. 1984
A row of old fishermen's houses on Largo Cais Herculano, a terrace that ends where the beach begins, and a kitchen that has been serving cataplanas, jambalaya and cold sangria since 1984.
The House
Before the parasols and the postcards, the little white houses on Largo Cais Herculano belonged to the men who hauled their boats up the same sand every morning. Albufeira grew around them; the square kept its name — the old quay.
In 1984 the corner building, with its cobalt trim and iron balconies, became the Louisiana — a bar and restaurant named for another great waterfront, a steamboat painted in blue tiles by the door. Forty years later the paddle wheel is still turning.
A terrace of fishermen's houses is built facing the beach at Cais Herculano — the bones of today's restaurant.
José Moita Dias and Teresa Coffey turn the blue corner into a restaurant and bar, and give it a steamboat for a crest.
Their daughter Sofia keeps the family at the helm — and the staff still greet returning guests by name, year after year.
Signatures
The dish behind the name — chicken, chorizo and prawns in a gently spiced Louisiana rice. Our regulars' first and last order of every holiday.
Prawns, clams, mussels and crab, brought to the table sealed in the copper cataplana and opened in a cloud of the Algarve.
Our fried prawns, garlic-rich and sea-sweet — the starter that never left the menu.
Sirloin crowned with prawns and a pineapple sauce — the house's own north-meets-south classic.
"The jambalaya is one of the best dishes I've ever eaten in my life."
— From the guestbook, Tripadvisor
Cataplana de Marisco€5 each — or the combo plate, a little of everything, €20
the pans that made the house famous — for two
with sauté potatoes and salad
all served with chips
with chips and salad
the boards, chalked daily"Food and drinks are absolutely gorgeous. Right on the beach — sit back and soak in the atmosphere."
Janice · April 2025The Guestbook
"The most incredible cataplana — full of delicious prawns, shellfish and vegetables in a beautiful sauce."
"The jambalaya was just divine — tender chicken, shrimp and chorizo in a mildly spicy sauce. Prompt, attentive service."
"Sea bass so fresh I've not had a tastier piece of fish — with equally tasty sauté potatoes."
"Shellfish cataplana for two — very flavourful, a lot of fresh fish in it: gambas, crab, lobster."
"Great food. Staff are amazing — they even remembered us from last year. Beautiful sea views."
"Great food, lovely staff and fantastic wine, baking in the sun. Spotless."
Read hundreds more on Tripadvisor or say hello on Facebook.
Visit
Walk down through the old town, past the tunnel, and the last building before the beach is the blue one. That's us.