Drawing inspiration from the Algarve’s rich history of craftsmanship, Austa brings a dynamic restaurant, coffee shop, and shoppable pantry to Portugal’s culinary acclaimed town of Almancil. With the region’s vast resources at its disposal, Lisbon-based Studio Gameiro filled the beautifully tactile space with custom pieces such as a moleanos stone bar and bench crafted from ancient rock salt sourced in nearby market town Loulé. Studio Gameiro’s collaboration with local artisans extends to bespoke wooden and aluminum furniture, echoing traditional Portuguese designs. Earthy beige and tan-lime stucco walls not only pay homage to the Algarve’s mining heritage but also bring an element of geological splendor to the forefront, offering guests an immersive experience.
The rotating seasonal menu includes many ingredients plucked fresh from the on-site garden just before service, from a dish of wild foraged mushrooms, burnt butter, and fermented garlic to grilled cauliflower with almonds and smoked paprika. To wash it down, an eccentric wine list introduces patrons to small batch and low-intervention wines from specialty Iberian producers.
