El Cartel
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9-10
7-8
5-6
3-4
1-2
What diners said about this restaurant:
Filinto F. • 1 review
August 19, 2024
8/10Good food with good options and a nice service
Kristi O. • 3 reviews
March 14, 2024
9/10This was our first visit and we will go back. We went mid-week in March. Enjoyed a lovely, tasty meal in a friendly and colourful dining area. Great value. Nice to go to a locals’ place (menu only in Portuguese) which made it even more fun if you want a break from tourist places.
Lanvin L. • 1 review
February 22, 2024
10/10Went for a first date last night . Was treated exceptionally well . Food was good . We were treated with a complimentary desert and shot 🥃
Pepijn G. • 4 reviews
February 22, 2024
10/10Food and service were excellent. If you are in the neighbourhood of Loulé, you must drop in!
Julie B. • 41 reviews
August 13, 2023
5/10Been a number of times before but the food was disappointing this time; all rather bland. The service is always good but the food let the side down. Do not order the children’s meals, they are awful. The nuggets were inedible. I’m afraid that was our last visit.
El Cartel • Owner
Obrigado pela sua sincera opinião, pedimos desculpa por algo que não estava do seu agrado, vamos averiguar o que se passou com os nossos nuggets, que não são congelados são feitos na nossa casa. Perguntamos a todos os nossos clientes se gostaram e se estava tudo bem, mas mais uma vez na internet as vozes tem mais força e as opiniões saem mais livremente. Sendo que o serviço estava bom como sempre avaliou o serviço também mal. Se você está com receio que seja a última visita, o El cartel não está.
Michele S. • 28 reviews
June 17, 2023
9.5/10Best Mexican food we have had close to Albufeira so far! Great tacos. Wonderful friendly service.
Cannelle W. • 2 reviews
February 19, 2023
9.5/10Highly recommended
Julie B. • 41 reviews
August 15, 2022
10/10Wow! This place is incredible. Such a warm greeting as we entered the restaurant and wonderful service throughout our visit. The food was the best we’ve eaten during our holiday and we will definitely be visiting again. Great value too. Try the mojito - divine!
Ana I. • 2 reviews
August 1, 2022
7.5/10The food is tasty and nicely presented. The classical Margerita is yummy. They are low on staff so it takes a while to get your order taken or served, but they are nice.
El Cartel • Owner
Boa tarde, antes de mais obrigada pela visita, mas gostariamos de clarificar a suposta lentidão do staff. A vossa mesa foi a primeira reserva a chegar, eram 19h30, foram os primeiros a ser servidos, naturalmente, mas também é verdade que para além de terem demorado muito tempo a decidir o que iriam comer, foram pedindo ao longo da noite, entre entradas e pratos principais , e relembramos que logo no início vos alertamos que que para quatro pessoas a comida que estavam a pedir era pouca, e o resultado é que já passavam das 21 horas e a vossa mesa ainda estava a fazer pedidos á cozinha, numa altura em que haviam várias mesas a chegar e outras para servir, como poderam ver. No entanto, muito obrigada mais uma vez pela vossa visita e agradecemos também a vossa crítica, que acreditamos ser construtiva, e que levaremos em conta para melhorar o nosso serviço e atendimento.
Spencer B. • 10 reviews
May 11, 2022
8.5/10Lovely Mexican, had some great house made smoked chilli sauce. Espresso martini with tequila was fab. Such friendly service as well. Was a little quiet on a Wednesday night which affected the ambience somewhat.
See photo
Jan M. • 58 reviews
February 17, 2022
8.5/10Ruben, the manager, is a great host. Very attentive, good recommendation on the food and drinks. The food itself is good. Off season the place was a little quiet, but it's not disturbing. I'll come back.
El Cartel • Owner
Dear Sir, Thanks for your comment. We will continue to work to improve and provide an even better and more surprising experience at El Cartel Restaurant. Best regards, El Cartel Team
Lina A. • 3 reviews
February 14, 2022
8.5/10We went there on Valentine’s Day which had a set menu. The food was good The starter was fried prawns with mango mousse very nice. The main was a little short as we had to share the three tacos with different meat and veg and chilli con carne wrap The staff were very friendly and service efficient. We had live Mexican music which was really lovely and unexpected. We did turn up a bit earlier than our time and we’re told to come back as they weren’t ready for us. All in all a lovely experience
Louise R. • 1 review
January 21, 2022
10/10El Cartel was fantastic! The restaurant is tucked away off the main road, the food was amazing, so delicious and Ruben offered recommendations and helped with deciding what the children would like. Amazing wine, delicious desserts and super friendly staff…we’ll definitely be back for more!
David L. • 2 reviews
November 4, 2021
8.5/10Really enjoy going here, service always excellent, atmosphere very good and tasty food. Always made very welcome . We go back often and will continue to do so.
Wendy E. • 11 reviews
April 22, 2021
10/10Excellent staff very friendly and professional service , great food , love it each time we go .
Charlotte S. • 7 reviews
December 12, 2020
10/10Excellent night as always! Atmosphere, service and food fabulous and the margaritas went down so nicely! Thanks again for a fantastic night. We will be back again soon.
Alex E. • 57 reviews
November 29, 2020
10/10First time trying El Cartel. Food and service were fantastic. Very authentic Mexican. Will definitely be returning.
Dorothe S. • 113 reviews
November 21, 2020
10/10Very nice atmosphere service perfect and the food very good. Something different then the portugees food what is good to but a change is what you need. I definitely come back.
Julie R. • 17 reviews
November 20, 2020
10/10Very nice food, good choice and friendly service!
Meghan B. • 16 reviews
November 18, 2020
6.5/10The food here is, in my opinion, just average. It's definitely not what I would call 'authentic' Mexican food, however, it is well prepared and tasty. If I were to give some constructive feedback: homemade tortillas (corn tortillas) and tortilla chips and more seasoning and Mexican flavors (cilantro, jalapeno) would elevate the experience. Our favorite thing we ordered was actually the cheesecake - very good! As starters we had the tortilla chips and ceviche tacos. The tortilla chips are most definitely from a bag. The ceviche tacos were very vinegary, unfortunately. I ordered the shrimp enchilada as my main and enjoyed it (although I had to add my own hot sauce for more flavor). My margarita was just ok, it needed to be sweeter. My boyfriend didn't enjoy his chicken burrito, saying it was just average. The service was pretty good overall. The décor and atmosphere were what you can expect from your typical Mexican restaurant.
Tripadvisor reviews
112 Tripadvisor Reviews
About this restaurant
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R. de São Paulo 27, 8100-687 Loulé
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