Must-see restaurants in The Algarve

  • Monte da Eira

    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…

  • Jardim das Oliveiras

    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…

  • Kiosk Agapito

    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…

  • A Tasca

    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…

  • Vila Adentro

    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…

  • A Eira do Mel

    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…

  • Restaurante O Barradas

    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…

  • O Tonel

    Tavira

    Contemporary Portuguese cuisine is complemented by a striking dining room of scarlet walls and azulejos. Begin with petiscos like chorizo sautéed in…

  • Vila Joya Restaurant

    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…

  • Restaurante Madeirense

    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…

  • Estaminé

    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…

  • Pastelaria Rosa

    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…

  • Grand Beach Club

    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…

  • Mó Veggie Bistro

    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…

  • Luzzo Pizzeria

    Tavira

    Tuti trufi (truffle oil and black-truffle shavings), siffredi (with ventricina spicy sausage, arugula and balsamic) and the house-speciality luzzo …

  • Colheita Fresca

    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 …

  • Three Little Birds

    Sagres

    Sagres' coolest cafe makes everything from scratch – tortillas, corn chips and brioche buns included – for its tacos, nachos and burgers (eg piri-piri…

  • O Camilo

    Lagos

    Perched above pretty Praia do Camilo, this sophisticated restaurant is renowned for its high-quality seafood dishes. Specialities include razor clams,…

  • Faz Gostos

    Faro

    Sophisticated twists on Portuguese classics at this stylish restaurant in the old town might include xarém (maize porridge) with Ria Formosa clams,…

  • Tacho à Mesa

    Olhão

    A white, modern interior is the stylish setting for first-rate traditional cooking using fresh produce purchased twice daily from the markets. Menu…

  • O Paulo

    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…

  • Veneza

    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…

  • Dom Carlos

    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…

  • Vila Velha

    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…

  • F Restaurante

    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…

  • Ysconderijo

    The Algarve

    In a contemporary dining room with brick arches, timber tables and ivory-coloured chairs, Ysconderijo is popular with international visitors for elegantly…

  • Mimar Café

    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…

  • Galeria dos Sentidos

    The Algarve

    Dine beneath beautiful vaulted-brick ceilings on delightful petiscos (tapas-style sharing plates), such as mushrooms stuffed with smoked wild-boar sausage…

  • O Luar da Fóia

    Monchique

    Perched on the cliff edge with expansive views from the glassed-in dining room and wraparound terrace, this rustic restaurant serves traditional…

  • Marisqueira Praia da Rocha

    The Algarve

    An unusually traditional restaurant for Praia da Rocha, this low-key place serves classic Portuguese fare: sardinhas grelhadas (salt-seasoned grilled…

  • Padaria Central

    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…

  • Casinha do Petisco

    Lagos

    Blink and you'll miss this tiny traditional restaurant. Cosy and simply decorated, it concentrates on seafood grills and shellfish dishes, including…

  • Restaurante O Lourenço

    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…

  • Óchálá

    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…

  • Atlântico

    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…

  • O Palhacinho

    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…

  • A Casínha

    Sagres

    Built on the site of the owner's grandparents' house, this cosy terracotta-and-white spot serves wonderfully authentic Portuguese cuisine, including stand…

  • Sítio do Forno

    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…

  • Le Crô Portugal

    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…

  • Adega Nova

    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…