The Come na Gaveta restaurant, in Tavira, starts from an old popular expression of the city to build a gastronomic concept based on Portuguese-inspired snacks. The menu, designed for sharing, includes simple proposals and more elaborate ones, with prices starting at four euros.
The name refers to a habit associated with the city’s commercial past. According to the Come na Gaveta restaurant website, for many years local establishments did not close at lunchtime, leading traders and employees to eat their meals at work.
Eat quickly and hide the plate
Therefore, whenever a customer arrived, the dish was stored in a drawer and only retrieved later. In some cases, as a precaution, the meal remained hidden throughout the work period, being consumed in short bursts, opening and closing the drawer.
The explanation is accompanied by a cultural clarification. Despite the fame associated with the expression, Tavira has always been recognized as a hospitable city, where offering food to anyone who comes home at lunchtime is a common practice.
Tradition transformed into concept
It is from this narrative that the restaurant defines its identity. Come na Gaveta seeks to perpetuate the tradition of hospitality through a selection of tapas and snacks that changes seasonally, allowing different experiences on each visit.
The menu is extensive and organized by categories, starting with the sharing boards. Among the options is the Algarve board, priced at 17 euros, which includes products such as tuna muxama, octopus salad, Algarve carrots, toasted almonds and bread.
Affordable snacks from 4 euros
It should be noted that the lowest prices appear on starters and side dishes. The vegetable soup costs four euros, while the green salad is available for the same price. The tomato salad costs five euros.
Among the fish and seafood dishes, there are proposals such as anchovy on a string, served for 12 euros, or tuna tacos, priced at 15 euros. The shrimp flambé is listed for 16 euros, while the prawns from the coast cost 12 euros.
Meat, burgers and dishes to share
The meat section includes options such as beef pica-pau, priced at 16 euros, and fried chicken for 11 euros. There are also dishes designed for those who prefer more complete meals, such as the cheeseburger, priced at 15 euros; or the double cheeseburger, for 16 euros. To share, a highlight is the ribs board (€26), made up of Angus beef ribs, side dishes and sauces. The tuna prego, served in a bolo do caco, appears on the menu for 15 euros.
In the final phase of the meal, the restaurant offers traditional desserts. The bitter crème brûlée costs six euros, the same price as the chocolate mousse or the churros with Nutella. The sponge cake with mountain cheese is the most expensive option, as the price reaches eight euros.
In addition to the space in the city of Tavira, Come na Gaveta extended the concept to Ilha de Tavira. The new space on the island is located at Orla Ecoglamping, in the island’s campsite, maintaining the logic of snacks and sharing.
Local memory served at the table
The project is seen as a contemporary translation of an old habit. According to the website, the city’s history serves as the basis for the concept, without resorting to artificial recreations, instead focusing on a diverse and accessible menu. The tradition of “eating in a drawer” is no longer just a popular expression and becomes part of the gastronomic experience of those who sit at the table at Come na Gaveta.
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