This little restaurant doesn’t really stand out from the outside—nothing flashy or extravagant—but after getting a recommendation and seeing nearly 400 great reviews online, we decided to give it a try. And I’m so glad we did.

Tucked into one of the beautiful, narrow streets in the historic centre of Silves, the setting felt warm and inviting from the start. Just seeing the tables outside made us feel at ease. It already had that kind of atmosphere where you know you’re going to enjoy your time.

The story behind the place

I was curious about the story behind the place, so I asked—and Marina, who owns the place together with her partner, was more than happy to share. She’s originally from Russia, and her partner, Ashley, is from Goa (a former Portuguese colony in India), but they both describe themselves as world citizens. They’ve travelled, lived, and worked in different countries, eventually meeting in Portugal—where they now feel completely at home.

Before opening the restaurant, Marina worked in hospitality, and Ashley has a long background in the industry too—he even used to run a small hotel in the UK. Once they settled in Portugal, they fell in love with Silves. As Marina put it, “We are in love with this town, it’s absolutely beautiful.”

A little bit of fate

Finding the space for their restaurant almost feels like fate. While passing through Silves, their car suddenly broke down—right in front of what is now their restaurant. They contacted the owner, discussed their idea, and after that, the car mysteriously started working again. For them, it was a clear sign they had found the right place.

They opened in 2021 and have since welcomed visitors from all over the world. While the focus is on vegan and vegetarian food, the experience is really for everyone. Everything can be made gluten-free, and you can tell they genuinely care about different dietary needs. As Marina says, “The food we cook is a remedy, but at the same time it’s delicious, nutritious, and full of flavour and colour.”

And honestly? This is not just a place for vegans. They don’t try to push any lifestyle—they simply invite people to try the food and decide for themselves. Based on both their reviews and my own experience, it works. Marina clearly knows what she’s doing in the kitchen, and it shows.

Inside the kitchen – where the magic happens

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Parsley & Thyme Restaurant;

I even got to see their kitchen, which was surprisingly spacious—almost the same size as the dining area. Everything was spotless, and the spice collection was impressive. They use a lot of ingredients like turmeric and garlic— “it’s like a pharmacy on a plate,” Marina told me. There’s no deep frying, only olive oil, and everything is cooked with care. It really feels like homemade food—the kind you’d make for family or close friends.

While we were chatting, the restaurant slowly filled up, especially the outdoor tables (we were lucky to visit on a beautiful sunny day). Ashley stayed out front, chatting with guests and taking orders, while Marina headed to the kitchen. They work as a great team, even jumping in to help each other when things get busy.

At the table next to us was a family from Lisbon who told us they come here every time they visit the Algarve. Marina already knew exactly what they liked—that kind of detail says a lot.

The food – fresh, tasty and colourful

Everything is made fresh and prepared on the spot, which obviously takes time—especially with plant-based dishes that involve a lot of chopping, prepping, and careful cooking. Some dishes are oven-baked, others are prepared fresh to order, but you can really taste the effort.

One thing I appreciated was the menu—it includes photos of each dish, which is especially helpful if you’re not too familiar with vegan cuisine. We decided to try the Indian Thali (perfect for sharing), and since I love mushrooms, I couldn’t resist the portobello.

Ashley walked us through everything, explaining each dish in detail. The Indian Thali came on a traditional metal platter with small bowls filled with different dishes—pulao rice, chapati, Chana Curry with spinach (chickpea curry), vegetable Curry with coconut milk, lentil Curry—Dahl, and a variety of vegetable-based sides. The portobello mushroom was packed with flavour, filled with vegetables, and honestly just delicious.

An inspired menu

The menu draws on influences from all over the world—India, Syria, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and even Eastern Europe. Everything is colourful, vibrant, and full of flavour. The idea is simple: serve healthy, nourishing food that still feels exciting and satisfying.

All ingredients are locally sourced and organic. Marina describes cooking as a kind of “witchcraft”—bringing ingredients together to create something both nutritious and delicious. “Every herb or spice had meaning in medieval times,” she explained. “For me, it’s like doing a little magic in the kitchen.”

Our lunch was genuinely fantastic—even my husband, who usually prefers meat, loved it.

The name Parsley & Thyme comes from the medieval-inspired song Scarborough Fair by Simon and Garfunkel, referencing the line “parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.”

Plan your visit

If you’re planning a visit, it’s worth checking their opening hours online. Now, they’re closed on Fridays and Mondays, open for lunch Tuesday to Thursday and weekends, and for dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A visit here can easily turn into a full experience—wander through the charming streets of Silves, explore the castle, and then sit down for a relaxed, flavourful meal at Parsley and Thyme. It’s absolutely worth it.