ST3ER SME, A Torre, celebrates 50 years of seafood tradition with Augmented Reality menu
This innovative project in the gastronomic tourism sector is supported by the European Commission.
An interactive menu and a flavour map with information on local products in augmented reality are two of the technological innovations that the restaurant A Torre, in Porto Alto – Samora Correia, is introducing at the start of its 50th anniversary celebrations. With decades of reputation for seafood and fresh fish, the family-run restaurant is now combining gastronomic tourism and technology with the support of the European Commission.
Customers can now view dishes in 3D on their smartphones before placing an order, through an interactive augmented reality (AR) menu that offers detailed information on ingredients, their origin, and pairing suggestions. In addition, through an interactive AR flavour map, visitors can follow the route of the ingredients—from the sea and local farms to their plate—discovering the stories behind sustainable production and meeting local producers, such as goose barnacles from Berlengas, Norway lobsters from Sesimbra, or limpets from the Azores.
The restaurant also reinforces its commitment to transparency and product freshness through the installation of live cameras in the seafood tanks, streaming in real time to screens inside the restaurant and on social media.
Founded 50 years ago by Delfim Paiva, and now managed by his sons Carlos and Jorge, the restaurant is betting on the fusion of tradition and technology to attract a younger, global audience and enrich the gastronomic experience. “We want to maintain our essence and tradition, but also innovate to meet the expectations of a new generation of customers. The technology we are implementing with the support of the ST3ER project allows us to tell our story in a more immersive and appealing way,” says Jorge Paiva. “It’s a way to show that tradition and modernity can coexist, ensuring the longevity of our legacy.”
The celebrations of the 50th anniversary of A Torre restaurant begin on 25 September and will conclude in the summer of 2026 with a closing event. The pioneering technological innovations in the restaurant sector are supported by the ST3ER project, a European Commission initiative that promotes projects from SMEs in the tourism, media, and creativity sectors across five European countries.