Where sustainability feels natural in the Algarve

More than just a café, it offers healthy food options and a welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer.

Marcel and Willow, the passionate couple behind this café, care deeply about sustainability and healthy living. Their philosophy is strongly reflected in O Cais, which is not only a café and restaurant but also a concept store with local crafts and a community space. As they explain, “There are so many different groups of people in the Algarve. Locals, expats, tourists, and digital nomads, and we want this space to be for everyone.”

Even though they focus on vegetarian and vegan food with gluten-free options, this place isn’t strictly for vegans. I tried their vegan pastel de nata, which they bring from Lisbon, and it was truly delicious.

Marcel and Willow think carefully about where their ingredients come from. Sometimes sourcing organic ingredients can be challenging, but their aim is to support sustainability and local producers. They prefer seasonal products rather than forcing things that aren’t naturally available. “Always quality over quantity.”

I love the interior of O Cais, and Marcel explained, “We try not to buy anything new; we always try to re-use. For example, our chairs are from a place where they were going to be thrown away because of not good enough, but here, they fit perfectly.” And I totally agree.

They reopened their location in December after transitioning to a new concept, and in January, flooding from the Arade River affected them. This wasn’t the luckiest start to the year, but they quickly got back on track and showed empathy for those affected, expressing their willingness to help.

This friendly couple is full of great ideas and would love to connect with like-minded people and possibly collaborate on new projects. Everything authentic and original, with a deep understanding of nature, is welcome. They are happy to support artists, writers, or singers, and even plan to promote local musicians by playing their songs in the café, which I think is such a beautiful idea.

And if you are a tea lover, like me, this place will be heaven for you. You can order from a great tea selection or buy herbs to prepare tea at home — a simple but thoughtful way to encourage a more conscious lifestyle, without being strict or preachy. There is also a great selection of fresh juices, wellness shots, and coffees. Every day there’s a new menu with healthy dishes and homemade quiche, depending on what’s fresh and available. They are very thoughtful with waste and try to reuse everything possible.

O Cais feels like a true community space. Marcel and Willow invite you into their welcoming space, where everyone feels at home, and you can easily say hi to the owners or to people around you. Here, inspiration flows freely, both given and received.

You can feel how much intention goes into everything they do. O Cais is not just about good food; it’s about quality, wellbeing, sustainability, and creating a space where people can connect.