Best Supermarket in Carvoeiro

[Gary/Gaynor]

Thanks fmm...

Convieience really wins over price to be honest...we'll prob stop off to pick up a few essentials and to be frank with a 7 month in tow after the journey a few extra euros is neither here nor there...

But its good to get local expert opinions as this will be our very first visit to CV...cant wait especially given current autumnial weather here in UK!

If you enjoy a good bun fight then use Intermarche its a dreadful place and convienient it aint. I avoid the place like the plague and to try and compare it to Sainsburys is gobsmacking

Gary

[fmm]

Well. I used it half a dozen times over the past two weeks (half a trolley load) and was in and out within 20 minutes (and this included getting 5 keys cut as well). Perhaps more people are using the other supermarkets?

It took 15 minutes to queue to get out of Sainsburys last night (AND it was pouring with rain when I finally made it to the car park )

I got stuck in the closing water park queue once at the Pao de Azuar and vowed never again!

Out of choice, I stop at Continente at Algarve Shopping.

[Goatee]

I've never had an issue with Intermarche tbh. OK it can be very busy but if yer looking for a UK type supermarket then it ain't for u. The best way that I find to shop there is to stay chilled out, yer on yer holidays after all, so what's the rush? I'd prolly compare it to a Lidl/Aldi type shop. Then again I don't do shopping too often back in Edinburgh so it's like an adventure for me anyway lol. The selection of fresh meat and fish is very good too. If I remember the Crystal beer is only about 20c when u buy the crate of 24.

All excited now, we fly out next Thursday. Happy days

[jeremy]

My advice is to avoid Intermarche early evenings and Sat/Sun mornings as they have too few check-out staff and there isn't enough room to queue for the tills when it's busy.

Pato - BTW - what do you think of this:

Sainsbury's unveil plans for new store in Heswall

[bruce]

Never had a problem with Intermarche, bit tatty but we don't go there for the ambience

[GeeBe]

Continente at Algarve Shopping Portimao get my vote.

I'm not a fan or Intermarche either, not tried Pao de Azucar but we did used to use it when it was Modelo.

GB

[superbocker]

Now after all that if you don't spend your entire holiday trawling around all the supermarkets mentioned, you'll just never know.
I pray that you don't ask which restraunt has the best fish as you'll never get away. Cheers

[Lauzy28]

Im with you Superbocker....I was beingining to think I had started quite a debate on the old supermarket wars...in the interests of being a UN peacekeeping negotiator I will just say I have taken a balanced view and will try them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was going to start a thread on best restaurant in the area but I fear world war III may ensue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously though I like a good debate and differing opinions...what a boring world it would be otherwise

[HampshireRich]

I was going to start a thread on best restaurant in the area but I fear world war III may ensue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Already been done - we survivors beg you not to do it!

[Burki]

...and will try them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Good idea. Try them and compare yourself...

But tbh, Continente is a bit far, but quiet, clean and with bigger variety. But you may give Intermarché a first chance for the first trip.
We'll be arriving next week late on Sunday - so the first walk will be to a small supermarket on Monday for getting anything for breakfast. Next trip will be to Continente (however, Intermarché seems to have more imported stuff...).

Burkhard. (it's raining cats and dogs here, can't wait to go to CVO)

[Bruce Wallis]

Having spent 6 months in Carvoeiro, we shopped far and wide, Guia, Portimao, Silves and Lagoa....and OK Intermarche is more pricey on some things.....especially if you try and buy UK stuff.....but dont do it....get used to locally produced stuff.

I really do think that Intermarche gets a worse rep than it deserves. Yes it is a tad more expensive, but if you are on holiday, does that matter over much??

[EMM]

Bruce has hit the nail on the head, we who are no longer just tourists do shop around and go further afield not just on price but for quality and variety. We have disovered where we can get better value etc,
We like to pass that knowledge on to visitors but as others have said when on holiday shopping is not a priority.

But please do not complain afterwards about the prices when alternative choices have been given.

[blue]

I use Intermarche on the way into Carvoeiro & it's mostly good, I don't think its prices are at all bad, you can save a few bob by going further afield but it's the nearest large supermarket to Carvoeiro. In the town on the in road on the right hand side before the Irish Times is Loja Fresca, I think this is a great little supermarket, very well stocked. Its prices won't compare to the larger supermarkets but its very convenient for us.

[Geoff]

We have moved from Intermarche to Pingo Doce....much cleaner, less crowded, less queuing. Range is more limited , but excellent meat & fish counter & cooked chickens are only about 2.5€. Bakery counter is also excellent value, & you can get a coffee/patisserie/roll also.

[Sandy]

I'm with Geoff on this one. Pingo Doce does it for me.