I'm turning 30 in October and I want to take 8 friends to somewhere special. We have a budget of around 40 euros per person and we'd prefer Portuguese or Italian food. Does anyone know of something good in the Covilhã area?
When I do something special with friends, I've always found that owners of smaller restaurants like to cooperate if you call ahead and let them know it's a birthday - I've gotten food discounts, some complimentary bottles, even a homemade cake they had on hand. Try contacting cozier Portuguese restaurants directly, not through a generic phone line, but ask if there's a manager or owner available, and mention that there will be 9 of you on an important day; with that budget and their flexibility, it's quite possible you'll get some nice menu tweaks or a better deal than what you see online.
In Covilhã it's tricky to find something really special with that budget, but you've got some decent options. Most Portuguese restaurants in the area can offer good value for money, especially if you go for more traditional dishes. With 40 euros you can eat well (starter, main course and a drink), but you need to pick a place that isn't too touristy so they don't inflate the prices on you.
My suggestion is to actually ask local people or search Google Maps/TripAdvisor with a price filter, because the area isn't really known for that kind of event. There are always traditional Portuguese food places that do good work and can accommodate groups without a problem - contact them in advance, explain it's a birthday, and often you can get a special dish or a discount. The Italy question is trickier in Covilhã, but honestly, well-made Portuguese food is way more interesting for a group party 😊 and you still stay within budget.
With 40 euros per person you've got a decent budget for something nice, but it's true that Covilhã isn't really known as a food destination. If you can stretch the budget a bit or are willing to head to nearby cities like Guarda, you'll have more options for restaurants with a more festive atmosphere that actually do proper Portuguese food. In Covilhã itself, what I've seen work best for groups is calling ahead and arranging a set menu - then some of the local restaurants will give you a good price and make sure everything comes out hot and ready for everyone at the same time.
The most important thing is really to call ahead to a place you're interested in and let them know it's a birthday - the owners usually go out of their way for groups, maybe a free appetizer or a fancy dessert. With that budget you can get something nice at a quality Portuguese restaurant, and the advantage is they usually have the space for groups without any problem, unlike fancier places that sometimes can't accommodate that many people at once.
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