Our beloved Beach Shack

Chef Hiram draws inspiration from memories of his childhood in Mexico, travels through Latin America and the vast array of ingredients, traditions, and cuisines of this wonderful continent. His cooking is exciting, soulful and genuine. Every dish is an ode to his affection for his heritage and homeland and the many loved ones with whom he discovered the wonders of the Latin American gastronomy.

Born and raised in Brazil, but a grandson of Japan, Chef Rafael is a unique amalgamation of cultures and traditions and his cuisine dutifully reflects that fact, providing a unique gastronomic journey. Steeped in Japanese discipline and utilizing the finest fish and seafood from our coast, his cooking prioritizes the elegance of simplicity and celebrates the inherent flavors and textures of every cherished ingredient.

“Vila Joya’s discerning head barman, Nathan Otten, created a selection of signature cocktails to enhance the flavours of every dish. (…) “It’s about the quality of the ingredients, having the absolute best and treating them with respect, making the flavours shine and presenting them beautifully,” he says. (…) Passionate about his trade and possessing an incredible knowledge of every substance’s provenance, Otten makes a point of telling a story with every cocktail.” — Essential Algarve Magazine