I dont know if you guys are aware, but theres a new Indian opening soon in Castro Marim called Punjab Palace II

it,ll be far too cold by the time i get it back!

They do allow you to eat in

oh, sorry

There is an Indian restaurant in Praia da Luz...at least there was last year but saying that my husband and I got a takeaway from there and we couldn't eat it as it was way too salty and tasted like they had bought Pataks sauce from Batista supermarket.

When we lived there 10 years ago - so the restaurant has been around a while - I used to go and get a chicken tikka starter and some onion bhaji's and take them down onto the rocks where my 'then boyfriend' was fishing for supper and we'd have it for a light lunch. That's all our budget would stretch to! I think it was 500 escudos for the tikka and about 200 for the bhajis. It was delicious back then, don't know if it changed hands somewhere along the line.

I can tell you now the majority of Portuguese people hate Indian...I guess apart from those from Goa. You'd think with Piri Piri they'd like the heat but it's the spices they don't like much. My BIL nearly puked when we took him there for dinner once.

All I can say is there has been an influx of Chinese restaurants, I think I saw at least 8 in Lagos last time I was there so you can only try I guess? I doubt you'd get a licence for a van they don't really do that over there and I don't think hotels would go for it either.

In short, yes, I know people in LISBON like to eat traditional indian cuisine. When I was there I went to a few good indian restaurants in the city. However, really know your market and plan well. The Portuguese are very fond of their own food and proud of it too. Also, what about starters? The Portuguese expect olives, cheeses, bread etc before the mains. To state the obvious, I think opening up in traditional country Portugal in a village would be difficult to make money.

Good luck. Hope you do well.

Clearly there are a lot of ex-pat curry addicts here but I'd say what you want to do depends on your location. I'd agree with everyone who suggests the Algarve as your best bet to make the most of the ex-pats and the summer holidaymakers. However, if you're going for Vilamoura or Albufiera you'll have some competition but you can charge British prices. If you're going for somewhere like Tavira you'll have little competition for the ex-pat crowd but I'd say you'll have to charge much less to get the locals even interested.

Just had a good laugh at all the replies, what a hoot!
Don't know where in Portugal you are planing on going but there is a great Indian restaurant in Nadadouro a mile or two outside Caldas da Rainha on the Silvercoast. If you want an example of a tasteful (pardon the pun) restaurant and good food you should try it. It's nestled among the trees and overlooks the Obidos Lagoon (well it would do if it wasn't for the trees). It's called Monte n Horeb tel 262 978 000

Oooooooooooooooo guess where im going
Wend,can you give me a landmark,I know the lagoon??

And there is another Indian Restaurant in the East. São Brás.

If you take the Foz do Arelho road from Caldas to the roundabout on the way to the beach, turn left along the edge of the Lagoon, Avenida Marginal, turn left past the Solar da Paz, (Rua Da Paz) and right into Rua Das Casinhas, you will see the restaurant on your right through some gates.
Its open 12.30-15.00 and 19.30-23.00. I've a feeling it closes one day in the week but can't really remember so you're best calling first. tel: 262 978 000.

I'll be going in July, can't wait!

Great thanks,will give it a try

There is a new Indian restaurant in Praia da Luz called Pashmina, just down from Chaplins. I think that it is in a different league than the Maharaja that has been here for years. Perhaps the Maharaja will have to buck up its ideas with the competition. The Pashmina is an offshoot of the Tasty Indian restaurant in Lagos

Oooh lovely! I do like my indian ...and was soooo disappointed by my last meal at Maharaja da Luz . What has it replaced?

Probably charge double though for having a sea view

New update on Maharaja. I was handed a leaflet today. It is under new management.