A family-run Portuguese restaurant with an African influence, Beira Alta is best known for its authentic dishes, amazing flavours and excellent service … not to mention their delectable ‘secret sauce’.  The popular North Coast restaurant, which recently underwent a stunning revamp, is owned by Portuguese-born family man and seasoned restaurateur, Laurindo Lagoa.

A welcoming place where families and friends come together to enjoy mouthwatering meals and unforgettable moments, Beira Alta at Ballito Lifestyle Centre is a long-standing North Coast treasure. Famous for their incredible flame-grilled chicken, pan-fried prawns and generous slatherings of ‘Mama’s secret sauce’, this is a traditional Portuguese restaurant with a whole lot of African flair!   The restaurant, which recently underwent an exciting revamp, has been owned by Laurindo Lagoa for the past six years.

A FAMILY BUSINESS

“Beira Alta was founded in Johannesburg in the early 1980s, which is when I started eating there. The first Ballito branch (called Beira Mar) opened alongside the ocean about 20 years ago. We owned property in the area, so we became regular customers there too. When they opened Beira Alta at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre, I started eating there two to three times a week.” Laurindo (or Larry as he is fondly known) took over ownership of Beira Alta in 2019. He also owns a branch of the restaurant at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom.

Although he was born in Portugal, Larry and his family moved to Africa (first Mozambique, then South Africa) when he was a small child. He is a seasoned restaurateur, having owned various restaurants in Gauteng before relocating to the KZN North Coast, and is passionate about ensuring his customers enjoy the best possible dining experience. “From our authentic, ‘old school’ good service to our incredible food, our customers know what they are getting when they visit Beira Alta.”

SECRET TO SUCCESS

The key to Beira Alta’s success, and what has continued to bring customers back,  year after year, is the incredible flavours and recipes that have been handed down over the years.

“Our biggest drawcard is our delicious sauce,” says Larry, “and the fact that most of the recipes are the same ones that were used when Beira Alta was first founded more than 40 years ago.”

The vast menu features several traditional Portuguese dishes with a Mozambican flair (think Grilled Cod and Prego Rolls), as well as curry and seafood, and outstanding flame-grilled dishes (like Piri Piri Chicken and Aged Mature Steaks). They are possibly best known for their fantastic combos and platters, which allow you to try a variety of dishes (the Chicken and Prawn Combo is one of the most ordered dishes on the menu).
“It has to be said that our success is also thanks to our amazing, loyal staff who have become family. From our managers to those who work in the back of house, they are all incredible. Some of our chefs have been with Beira Alta since the first store opened in the 1980s.”

BEIRA AT BALLITO LIFESTYLE CENTRE

“The Ballito Lifestyle Centre is hands-down the best place for our restaurant,” says Laurindo. “Eat Street has a great vibe and is loved by locals and holiday makers. We have a lot of people travelling up on weekends from other parts of KZN (like Hillcrest and Pietermaritzburg), to eat at our restaurant.”

The beautiful store also recently underwent a complete facelift, which saw them opening up the bar area, renovating the kitchen and toilets, and sourcing décor from various parts of Portugal. The revamp was headed up by interior designer Dale Dennis of Ground Floor Interiors.
“The inspiration for the design came from two towns in Portugal – Nazare and Aveiro. We used colour, rather than sticking with the traditional Portuguese ‘blue and white’ and incorporated several coastal design elements to tie it back to our beautiful North Coast beaches and lifestyle.”  

Diners can now enjoy the same tried and tested dishes – a true taste of Portugal in the heart of Ballito – in a fresh, newly designed space. For more information on Beira Alta visit their webpage here.