Giver of Fruits

The name Yavanna means 'giver of fruits', so as you might imagine, we attach great importance to the quality of the food we can offer our guests. 

There is an abundance of good quality organic food, much of it produced locally. There are several good quality supermarkets within a 15 minute drive of Yavanna.

The Pie Factory

Imagine coming back from a day away to find an evening meal prepared for you. A local duo can meet your needs. The Pie Factory makes a range of ready to cook savoury dishes. These include assorted pies, curries, lasagnes and vegetarian dishes. Other dishes could be cooked to order. Many of our guests have tried the Pie Factory and raved about their food! For further information contact Sian 914 853 825  / 251 948 053 or Barbara 969 487 000, or we can arrange for the food to be delivered once you are staying at Yavanna.

Northern Portuguese Food - If you choose to eat out

In the Costa Verde region, you will discover a number of delicious northern dishes, including "caldo verde", codfish, pork filets ("rojões") and duck with rice.

In Viana do Castelo, we recommend their local speciality, rice with codfish and octopus "à Margarida da Praça". In Caminha, sample the steamed conger-eel, whiting and bream. If you visit Paredes de Couro, the salted cod "Miquelina" style is not to be missed. Roasted baby goat, shad and lamprey are local specialities in Monção. In Melgaço, try smoked hams, in Porto the renowned tripe.

For those fond of desserts, there is no shortage of rich and varied pastries, traditionally baked by nuns.  Try the egg yolk and almond based ones, and we are sure you will also enjoy any of these:  “S. Gonçalo", "papos de anjo", "doce de travessa", "arroz doce" (sweet rice), "aletria", "rabanadas", "sonhos", "mexidos" and also "pão de ló".

To accompany your meal, the Port wines and Vinho Verde are well worth a try!

Yavanna

People ask about the origins of our name....

Yavanna Kementári is a Vala from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. Her first name means "Giver of fruits" and her surname Kementári means "Queen of the Earth". She's also called Palúrien. She is the wife of Aulë and is responsible for the Olvar (flora) and Kelvar (fauna) of the world.

When she has taken visible form it has been as a tall woman in green or a great tree spilling golden dew on the earth. In many ways she resembles the Earth Mothers of many mythologies.