Silves
As the crowds of locals attest, this farmhouse restaurant surrounded by citrus orchards is bom preço-qualidade (good value for money), serving hearty…
Must-see restaurants in The Algarve
Sagres
Eclectically decorated with retro TVs and radios, toasters, bottles, books and framed photos, this cosy spot on the main drag serves mostly vegetarian…
Odeceixe
Traditional dishes from the neighbouring Alentejo region – such as pezinhos de porco (roast pig trotters) and ensopado de borrego (lamb stew) – are served…
Lagos
Housed in a quaint old building on Praça Infante Dom Henrique, 2 Irmãos has lovely outdoor seating overlooking the Igreja de Santa Maria and the statue of…
Portimão
On the waterfront near the Museu de Portimão, the Naval Club has a fancy upstairs restaurant, Restaurante do Cais, with unsurpassed views over the river…
Olhão
Just back from the seafront, this converted merchant's store has just 22 seats, so advance bookings are a good idea. Begin with award-winning olive oil…
Carrapateira
On Praia da Bordeira's dunes, with stone walls around its terrace to keep the sand out, and direct boardwalk access to the beach, this great-value…
Faro
This simple place has been here for decades, so it must be doing something right. It grills quality meat and fish, and prepares excellent seafood dishes…
Tavira
Behind a rose-covered facade, mosaics and local artworks line the walls of this popular spot, while mismatched tables are topped in tiles, marble and…
Portimão
Elegant little tearoom Casa da Isabel is housed in a cute, tile-fronted mansion and bakes traditional desserts including pastéis de feijão (sweet white…
The Algarve
On the left as you come to the village proper from the south, this whitewashed place with a timber extension cooks hearty, no-frills country fare. Dishes…
Tavira
Beloved by its namesake tavirense (Tavira locals), this corner pastelaria has the full spectrum of Portuguese pastéis (custard-filled pastries), bolos …
Restaurante Associação Naval do Guadiana
The Algarve
Housed in a stark glass-and-tile box, this restaurant is more inviting inside than its exterior might suggest, with a timber-panelled dining room and…
Albufeira
Footsteps from the Turismo, Casa da Fonte serves everything from sandwiches to charcoal-grilled fish in a beautiful courtyard lined with azulejos (hand…
The Algarve
For an alfresco beer or local fare like barbecued spicy sausage and prawns, Casa da Igreja is a wonderfully traditional tasca (tavern) in the heart of the…
Lagos
Hearty, top-quality traditional food served in a bustling environment at great prices sees this buzzing adega tipica (wine bar) pull in the crowds. Daily…
Faro
Homestyle Portuguese food at bargain prices – Monchique blood sausage stew; fava bean fritters with smoked paprika sauce – and a retro interior with an…
Monchique
At this likeably old-fashioned, rustic place, with floor-to-ceiling timber cabinets filled with local pottery, regional dishes include the house…
Lagos
Around since 1964, this traditional cafe-bakery is a local favourite for cakes and sweets including pastéis de nata, bolas de berlim (custard-filled…
Lagos
Tiny Bora is the ideal place for your healthy fruit and veggie fix, with omelettes, soups, salads, sandwiches (such as beetroot, sweet potato and hummus)…
The Algarve
Overlooking the square In the centre of town, this São Brás institution has been around since 1952. Pastries and cakes made on the premises include tarte…
The Algarve
Opening to a terrace with views of the river, this cheap and cheerful family-run lunch spot is a good bet for its charcoal-grilled chicken, sizzling pork…
Faro
Students and bohemians head to the tree-shaded terrace of this laid-back hang-out for char-grilled seafood and meats, and traditional stews, plentiful…
Odeceixe
Chaparro is a great choice for no-nonsense Portuguese char-grilled meat and seafood, particularly the house-speciality, octopus with sweet potato. Watch…
Silves
This rustic tasca (tavern), with chequer-clothed timber tables and rural paraphernalia (ploughs, saddles, saws, sickles and hunting rifles) on the walls,…
The Algarve
One of four sister restaurants in the area, this large place opposite the riverfront serves excellent seafood such as razor clams, shrimp and octopus with…
Lagos
Tucked away on an atmospheric street that was Lagos' original sea wall, this pretty, tiled place does a short, simple menu of seafood and grilled meat…
The Algarve
Unpretentious, with rows of tables under whitewashed arches (hence the name) and more on the covered terrace out front, Os Arcos is a large traditional…
Faro
This deceptive spot looks like a pastelaria (pastry and cake shop) from the outside, yet inside it morphs into a restaurant, serving hearty Portuguese…
Lagos
Right on the sand, this is the best of the places to eat on Meia Praia. It's a fair stroll along the beach, but it's well worth it for the welcoming…
Carrapateira
Umbrellas shade the tables at this summer cafe on the town's cobbled square. It's a lively pre- or postsurf hang-out for bruschetta, burgers. vibrant…
Faro
Arrive early before this cosy spot fills to capacity (it doesn't take reservations) and its all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet starts running low. Each day…
The Algarve
A top-notch choice in Salema, Água na Boca has a dining room opening to a terrace with retractable glass and a well-stocked wine cellar. The menu changes…
The Algarve
On the beachfront 1.4km by road from Cacela Velha, this seafood specialist has a stunning outlook over the bobbing boats on the estuary and to the sand…
Albufeira
One of the original tourist restaurants – it's been around since 1978 – the Arches serves no-nonsense, traditional Portuguese steaks and grilled seafood…
Carvoeiro
You'll smell the smoky aromas of this well-established seafood restaurant before you see it, as almost everything is cooked over a flaming charcoal grill …
Lagos
Festooned with football pendants and flags, this barn-like place with iron chandeliers and farming implements dishes out generous portions of no-nonsense…
Silves
With a huge live tank, Silves' best seafood restaurant is a favourite with locals for its cockles, clams, crabs, Olhão oysters and whole fish, served at…
The Algarve
On the corner of a quiet lane just off the main drag, this traditional, family-run restaurant serves solid plates of market-sourced grilled fish and meat…
Aljezur
On the main road 4.5km south of Aljezur, what looks like a standard driver's lunch stop surprises with a contemporary interior, covered terrace and a…
