The Algarve
A former threshing mill's stables have been converted to house this charming restaurant with white-clothed tables spread over several rooms and two…
Must-see restaurants in The Algarve
Monchique
High up in the hills, this local secret has dining rooms with crackling open fires, farming implements and black-and-white photos, and a magical garden…
Odeceixe
Overlooking the surf, this new-generation beach cafe with aqua-and-white tiles and terrace-only seating uses local produce in breakfasts, sharing platters…
Sagres
Seafood doesn't come fresher than at this converted fish warehouse, with a timber-decked terrace overlooking the marina and Ilhotes do Martinhal offshore…
Faro
With tables on the square in Faro's old town and a dining room decorated with floor-to-ceiling azulejos, this Moorish 15th-century building is a romantic…
Sagres
A rustic former farmhouse 9km north of Sagres is the atmospheric setting for José Pinheiro's lauded slow-food cooking. Seafood is landed in Sagres, with…
Silves
The star choice for foodies is this converted farmhouse 4.5km south of Silves, which utilises sustainably sourced fish and organic meat and vegetables in…
Tavira
Contemporary Portuguese cuisine is complemented by a striking dining room of scarlet walls and azulejos. Begin with petiscos like chorizo sautéed in…
Albufeira
Helmed by Austrian chef Dieter Koschina, this fine-dining restaurant in the Vila Joya resort was Portugal's first to gain two Michelin stars. Koschina…
Faro
For an exotic take on Portuguese cuisine, this small Madeiran restaurant bangs down plates loaded with specialities you'll only get on the Island of…
Faro
Built to look like a crab when viewed from above, this remote restaurant rises up on boardwalks from the Ilha da Barreta as its sole building. It's an…
Silves
Wrought-iron chairs fill the traditional blue-and-white tiled interior and pavement terrace at this atmospheric cafe. House-baked treats include bolos de…
The Algarve
At the edge of the Atlantic and Rio Guadiana river mouth, with its own small beach (and a pool), Portugal's most southeasterly restaurant opens to a…
Aljezur
A former wheat mill now houses this brilliant split-level bistro with raw timbers, comfy sofas and suspended lighting. All dishes are vegetarian and many…
Tavira
Tuti trufi (truffle oil and black-truffle shavings), siffredi (with ventricina spicy sausage, arugula and balsamic) and the house-speciality luzzo …
The Algarve
Produce from Loulé's magnificent Mercado Municipal is utilised in petiscos such as ostras (oysters) served with a squeeze of grapefruit, chouriço assado …
Sagres
Sagres' coolest cafe makes everything from scratch – tortillas, corn chips and brioche buns included – for its tacos, nachos and burgers (eg piri-piri…
Lagos
Perched above pretty Praia do Camilo, this sophisticated restaurant is renowned for its high-quality seafood dishes. Specialities include razor clams,…
Faro
Sophisticated twists on Portuguese classics at this stylish restaurant in the old town might include xarém (maize porridge) with Ria Formosa clams,…
Olhão
A white, modern interior is the stylish setting for first-rate traditional cooking using fresh produce purchased twice daily from the markets. Menu…
Aljezur
Adjacent to the ruined fortress of Arrifana, O Paulo has a romantic covered terrace with majestic clifftop views as far as Cabo de São Vicente. The vistas…
Albufeira
Famed for its cataplana – here, a delicious pork and clam combination – Veneza also turns out superb dishes such as polvo à lagereiro (tender octopus with…
Albufeira
Higher-end restaurants tend to be out of town, but here you can splash out and still walk back to your hotel. The elegant but intimate interior, dressed…
Sagres
In an elegant old house accessed by a lovely, mature front garden, upmarket Vila Velha offers consistently good seafood mains (go for the catch of the day…
The Algarve
Classier than most restaurants on the strip, F has superb views over the beach from the covered terrace and contemporary Portuguese dishes such as…
The Algarve
In a contemporary dining room with brick arches, timber tables and ivory-coloured chairs, Ysconderijo is popular with international visitors for elegantly…
Lagos
One of the town's best-value casual cafes, Mimar is excellent for coffee and breakfasts (eg omelettes, croissants) and lunch dishes like toasties, burgers…
The Algarve
Dine beneath beautiful vaulted-brick ceilings on delightful petiscos (tapas-style sharing plates), such as mushrooms stuffed with smoked wild-boar sausage…
Monchique
Perched on the cliff edge with expansive views from the glassed-in dining room and wraparound terrace, this rustic restaurant serves traditional…
The Algarve
An unusually traditional restaurant for Praia da Rocha, this low-key place serves classic Portuguese fare: sardinhas grelhadas (salt-seasoned grilled…
Lagos
Pass through the big arched doors of Lagos' longest-serving bakery (around since 1926) to discover an Aladdin's cave of Portuguese cakes, including…
Lagos
Blink and you'll miss this tiny traditional restaurant. Cosy and simply decorated, it concentrates on seafood grills and shellfish dishes, including…
The Algarve
Compact and unpretentious, with more seating on a covered terrace situated across the street, this place is recommended for its seafood: the day's catch…
Monchique
Light and bright, with red-and-white tiled floors, a timber bar and local art for sale on the walls, this cafe is a great weekday stop for soups, quiches…
Lagos
In summer, the stunning terrace overlooking the beach is the place to be, but the wood-panelled interior with a beautiful timber bar is also wonderfully…
Sagres
Built on the site of the owner's grandparents' house, this cosy terracotta-and-white spot serves wonderfully authentic Portuguese cuisine, including stand…
Faro
Located within Faro's municipal market, this very unassuming treat of a place is frequented by everyone and anyone, especially local office workers doing…
Carrapateira
High on the cliff overlooking Praia do Amado, what was a tiny fisher’s cabana has evolved into this large restaurant, where magnificent ocean views unfurl…
Carvoeiro
Run by husband-and-wife team Hugo and Marina, this tiny wine bar–style place turns out terrific petiscos such as sea bass ceviche, chorizo and squid, and…
Faro
With a menu of simply grilled fish and meat, this popular place has plenty of country charm, with a beamed ceiling, rustic cooking implements on display…
