Logo of the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta in Tavira, decorated with red hearts --- Glass of sparkling wine on a table decorated with red petals at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta --- Xavier enjoying a glass of wine in a romantic restaurant atmosphere with heart-shaped balloons. --- Garnished oysters served at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta in Tavira --- Two shrimp verrines on slate at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta --- Chocolate dessert glasses with marshmallows at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta. --- Caroline tasting a dish at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira --- Platter of assorted sushi at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta, warm and friendly atmosphere in Tavira. --- Assortment of colorful sushi at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta in Tavira. --- Sushi on a red plate with soy sauce, warm atmosphere at the restaurant "Sushi na Gaveta" in Tavira. --- Artistic sushi dish in the shape of a swan at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira. --- Gourmet dessert with heart-shaped cookie, cream, and red fruits, cozy atmosphere at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira.

Sushi na gaveta

VanTour Team 4 min
Restaurants Tavira, Rua Doutor José Pires Padinha, Tavira (Santa Maria e Santiago), Tavira, Faro, 8800-372, Portugal

Our review of Sushi na gaveta

4
4/5 — Very well Our review

Benefits

  • Innovative transformation from a cocktail bar to a sushi restaurant.
  • Owner Marcio has a strong reputation in Tavira's dining scene.
  • Menu designed as an experience with high-quality ingredients.
  • Friendly atmosphere that enhances the dining experience.
  • Offers a unique take on Japanese cuisine in a charming setting.

Disadvantages

  • In winter, the indoor dining area may feel a bit small, so reservations will be required.
  • It was a special menu, so we’ll have to go back (what a shame 😂😅) to try it in a more traditional way.

Sushi na Gaveta offers a unique dining experience with quality sushi. However, the price and limited options may deter some diners.

Formerly a cocktail bar, the place has undergone a true metamorphosis. Its owner, Marcio, is already well-established in Tavira with several recognized establishments:

  • Come na Gaveta
  • Churrasqueira na Gaveta

Each address develops a strong, coherent, and assertive concept. Tapas, grilled dishes, a friendly atmosphere…

Marcio loves to create places with a clear identity. With Sushi na Gaveta, he transforms an old bar into a venue dedicated to Japanese cuisine, while maintaining this demand for concept and staging.

Residents of Tavira, curiosity has naturally taken over. Even though the city already has several sushi restaurants, the desire to discover this new offering has emerged. The choice was made for a symbolic date: Valentine’s Day, with a menu specially designed for the occasion.

Logo of the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta in Tavira, decorated with red hearts --- Glass of sparkling wine on a table decorated with red petals at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta --- Xavier enjoying a glass of wine in a romantic restaurant atmosphere with heart-shaped balloons. --- Garnished oysters served at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta in Tavira --- Two shrimp verrines on slate at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta --- Chocolate dessert glasses with marshmallows at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta. --- Caroline tasting a dish at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira --- Platter of assorted sushi at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta, warm and friendly atmosphere in Tavira. --- Assortment of colorful sushi at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta in Tavira. --- Sushi on a red plate with soy sauce, warm atmosphere at the restaurant "Sushi na Gaveta" in Tavira. --- Artistic sushi dish in the shape of a swan at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira. --- Gourmet dessert with heart-shaped cookie, cream, and red fruits, cozy atmosphere at the restaurant Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira.

A menu designed as an experience

Offered at the price of 110 euros, the menu included water as well as a bottle of choice between red wine, white wine, or a pitcher of sangria. Upon arrival, a glass of champagne set the tone.

The evening begins with two magnificent oysters, fresh and elegant.
Then comes a breaded shrimp accompanied by a mango cream, perfectly balanced between crunchiness and fruity sweetness.
Next, a subtly seasoned salmon, served with sprouts, confirms the seriousness and precision in the kitchen.

A digestif punctuates this first part of the meal, gradually establishing a refined and relaxed atmosphere.

The opening was already exceptional, but the best was yet to come

Verre de vin pétillant sur table décorée de pétales rouges au restaurant Sushi na Gaveta
Xavier enjoying champagne at Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira, with heart-shaped balloons in the background.
Oysters served on a blue patterned plate at Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira, Algarve, Portugal.
Two shrimp cocktails in glasses on a slate platter at Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira, Algarve, Portugal.
Two glasses of chocolate dessert with marshmallows at Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira, Algarve, Portugal.

The highlight: the premium platter of 40 pieces

Then comes the signature dish: a platter of 40 pieces, generous and perfectly presented.

From the first two bites, the experience changes dimension.

The first sushi, with scallops, is remarkably delicate. Melting texture, impeccable freshness, precise balance.

The second, with smoked eel, truly marks the evening. Deep, slightly woody due to the smoking, melting in the mouth… It is, without hesitation, the best sushi ever tasted. A bite that imposes silence and provokes a simple knowing glance around the table.

The rest of the platter confirms this level of demand.
The white fish sashimi, delicately enhanced with lemon zest, gains freshness and intensity thanks to this perfectly measured touch of acidity.
The salmon, though classic, is executed with exemplary precision.
Even the tuna tataki, in its most traditional version, stands out with perfect mastery of cooking and seasoning.

The whole is coherent, harmonious, without any false notes.

Caroline enjoying sushi at Sushi na Gaveta in Tavira, Algarve, Portugal.
Sushi platter with diverse rolls at Sushi na Gaveta restaurant, Tavira, Algarve, Portugal.
Assorted sushi platter at Sushi na Gaveta restaurant, Tavira, Algarve, Portugal.
Sushi roll with soy sauce at Sushi na Gaveta restaurant, Tavira, Algarve, Portugal

A perfectly controlled atmosphere

To enhance the evening, a Brazilian musician accompanies the dinner on guitar. His presence brings an intimate, warm, and elegant atmosphere, without ever imposing.

Soft lighting, live music, champagne, a succession of refined dishes… everything seems designed to create a suspended moment. A true romantic staging, ideal for Valentine’s Day.

Elegant and balanced desserts

To conclude, the two desserts were chosen and shared to discover everything.

The pavlova, naturally a bit sweeter due to its meringue, remains perfectly balanced. Very well executed, light, it also impresses visually: shaped like a white swan, it transforms the plate into a true artistic piece.

The cream puff, filled with vanilla cream and fresh strawberries, stays true to the guiding principle of the meal: not too sweet, perfectly measured, where no element overshadows the other.

These desserts stand out from what is usually found in Portugal. Here, there are no excesses. Everything is subtle, measured, controlled.

Swan-shaped dessert at Sushi na Gaveta restaurant, Tavira, Algarve, Portugal, on an elegant blue plate.
Dessert gourmand avec biscuit en forme de cœur, crème et fruits rouges, ambiance cosy au restaurant Sushi na Gaveta, Tavira.

The perfect balance

Once the meal is finished, the conclusion is clear: the quantity is ideal.

Neither too much nor too little.

For a menu including several appetizers, three refined first bites, a digestif, a generous platter of 40 pieces, and two shared desserts, the balance is remarkable.

You leave the table satisfied, fulfilled, without heaviness.

Verdict

Sushi na Gaveta is not just another sushi place in Tavira. It is a venue that offers a true experience, thought out in every detail, with a rare coherence between the cuisine, the atmosphere, and the staging.

A restaurant that proves an old cocktail bar can transform into an ambitious and perfectly executed gastronomic destination.

An elegant, gourmet… and memorable evening.