Xerem Fusion Cuisine sits in a traditional orange Algarvian farmhouse at Estrada Ferreiras-Paderne 264-A, Sítio do Cerro do Ouro (8200-465) – roughly six kilometres inland from Albufeira, on the Ferreiras approach rather than Paderne village centre. Chef Ezequiel Viegas (Chef Eze) leads a fusion kitchen rooted in Algarve produce after two decades at Quinta do Lago; Google and TripAdvisor reviewers praise creative plates, warm service, and a rustic room with wood-fired oven details, stone walls, and a summer terrace – roughly 4.4 on TripAdvisor at the time of writing.
The restaurant is named after xerém, the fine-grain Algarve corn porridge locals cook with clams, seafood, black pork, or vegetables. Signature versions here run to lobster, carabineros, mussels, and prawns, but the menu stretches wider: muxama de atum, chef’s tapas boards, regional tomato soup, cataplana variations, grilled corvina, Argentine tenderloin, vegetarian salads, and desserts such as arroz doce and fig-carob-almond plates. A gourmet menu around €30 gets repeat mentions for value on a four-course path. Occasional fado, jazz, and live-music evenings turn the room into a celebration venue – enquire onfor event nights.
Hours: typically Monday closed. Tuesday-Friday dinner about 18:30-22:00 (some directories to 22:30). Saturday lunch about 12:30-15:30 plus dinner; Sunday dinner. October sometimes shifts midweek for private groups – confirm before you book. Reservation advised. On-site parking.
Who it suits: couples and food-focused groups who want chef-driven Algarve cooking without driving to Michelin coast rooms; wedding and rehearsal dinners in a rustic Barrocal setting (bespoke group menus available); villa guests in Ferreiras and inland Albufeira escaping strip menus. Less ideal for piri-piri budget lunches, beach walk-ins, or Monday arrivals – pair village value at Os Arcos with a Xerem evening on another night.
Nearby: Padaria Do Cerro (24h bakery), Cantinho da Villa (regional lunch). Paderne dinners: O Alagar, Mato à Vista, Mesón Veneza. Guides: best restaurants in Albufeira, Algarve weddings guide.