Café · Bistro · Kitchen
Gastronomy
We grow much of our own produce and work closely with local growers and producers, following the rhythm of the seasons.
From vegetables harvested at first light to herbs picked just before service, our cuisine celebrates freshness, flavour and respect for the land.
Every dish begins in the soil
Our Roots
From the garden to the plate
Long before the 16th century, the Benedictine monks understood that wellbeing was rooted in harmony between body and mind. At Convento de São João de Cabanas, they cultivated their own gardens, making each meal an expression of their connection to the land and the seasons.
Today, we continue this tradition.
Guided by the rhythm of nature and by our own kitchen garden, we create cuisine that is simple, authentic and sustainable. Our harvests are complemented by carefully selected ingredients from local farmers and producers, chosen for their freshness, quality and flavour.
From the earth to the plate, every dish celebrates simplicity, tradition and harmony with nature.
The Blue Kitchen
Mornings of flavour & creativity
The Blue Kitchen is the living heart of the Convento — a light-filled, welcoming space where each day begins gently.
Every morning starts around a generous table: freshly baked pastries, artisan breads, homemade preserves, seasonal fruit and local produce invite you to savour the moment, simply.
But the Blue Kitchen is also a place of sharing and creativity. Guests can enjoy private masterclasses with our chef or take part in immersive cooking sessions, guided by the seasons and the produce of our region.
Warm, elegant and full of character, the Blue Kitchen celebrates generous, living cuisine, where the pleasure of preparing, sharing and tasting transforms the simplest gestures into moments of true conviviality.
Breakfast for house guests · masterclasses & private dinners on request
Café de Cabanas
A gourmet pause along the Camino de Santiago
Café de Cabanas is an open-air gathering place on the famous Camino de Santiago, where pilgrims, travellers and locals come together from spring through autumn.
In its peaceful garden, beneath the shade of the trees, guests can stop for a coffee, enjoy a simple lunch or linger over something sweet.
There is no need to hurry here. Nature, the changing seasons and the steady passage of pilgrims gently set the pace.
- April — October
- Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 – 17:00 · open air, by the river
Magnolia Bistrot
Cuisine shaped by the seasons
Named after the magnificent 400-year-old magnolia tree that stands on the restaurant’s terrace, Magnolia Bistrot is a warm and intimate dining space within the historic walls of the Convento.
The terrace unfolds around this remarkable ancient tree, offering a unique setting in which to enjoy the changing seasons and the beauty of the gardens.
Our cuisine celebrates the generous produce of the region and the rhythm of the seasons. From the earth to the plate, each dish is simple, vibrant and sincere, allowing local ingredients to take centre stage with respect and creativity.
In warmer months, meals unfold on the terrace beneath the shade of the ancient magnolia. As evenings grow cooler, the fireplace brings warmth and intimacy to the dining room.
- With the seasons
- A table that changes with the light, the produce and the seasons.
- From the earth to the plate
- Local ingredients, prepared with respect for time and tradition.
- Wednesday — Sunday
- Dinner 19:30 – 22:00
