The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, and it is the most popular holiday destination in Portugal and also one of the most popular in Europe as a whole. Most of the region's major towns, cities and tourist resorts are located close to the Mediterranean coastline. Tourism and food are the main contributors to the local economy.
The Algarve region boasts a wide range of restaurants and caters for a wide range of tastes. Portuguese restaurants specialising in local cuisine are particularly common, and most restaurants, especially the Portuguese and Mediterranean-themed outlets, also offer a wide range of seafood.
Those after Asian cuisine are also well catered for, with a range of Japanese, Indian and Chinese restaurants across the region. Those who would prefer British or European-style cuisine also have a range of good options, and some outlets serve British-style pub meals as well as Sunday roast dinners, and many of these provide free Wi-Fi and TV screens that broadcast major sporting events.
Many of the seaside restaurants in the Algarve border the major beaches and offer spectacular views over the sea front. Due to the hot dry sunny summers, outdoor patio areas so al fresco dining - are commonplace, particularly at the Portuguese-style restaurants.
Local cuisine
Restaurante Malveiro at Vale de Eguas, Almancil, is very well-received by visitors and sells a range of Portuguese cuisine, as well as some local wines. Agua na Boca in Salema is similarly worth considering, which sells a range of high-quality Portuguese food, though bear in mind that it is closed on Wednesdays and that advance booking is recommended. Museu das Salgados at Estrada de Vale Parra, Albufeira offers some Portuguese options, as well as Asian and French cuisine.
There are good local restaurants in the Ferragudo area, of which two are especially worth a try. Restaurant a Ria at Rua Infante Santo 27, Ferragudo is only moderately expensive and serves a range of well-received Portuguese cuisine. Le Paradis at Vale da Azinhaga, Ferragudo also has a wide range of tasty Portuguese cuisine.
Also worth considering is the Oiliveira Dourada restaurant at Sitio de Conseguinte, Vilamoura, which is a family-run restaurant with a focus on Portuguese cuisine, although some international food is also served. For a combination of Portuguese and Mediterranean options, Pimenta Preta, near Vale de Centeanes, Carvoeiro, is a top choice.
For those after a Portuguese restaurant that focuses primarily on seafood, Os Arcos Restauarante, at Rua Alves Correia, 25, Albufeira, is a great choice. O Rusitano at Urbanizacao Quinta Correeira Lote 54-Bloco 4, Albufeira offers a range of Portuguese cuisine, also with an emphasis on seafood. Fin du Mundo at Rua Manuel Teixiera Gomes No 28, Ferragudo serves a mix of Portuguese and English-style food with an emphasis on seafood.
European
For those who like Italian restaurants, L'oasis Pizzeria Italiana at Edificio Atlântico IV, Armacao de Pera, offers high quality Italian food the pizzas are especially popular. Restauarant Italia, Ferragudo is a relatively inexpensive option which offers a wide range of home-made Italian food. Camillo's Italian Restaurant at Rua Francisco Filipe Viegas 12, Almancil sells a wide range of Italian food including pizzas, and hot and cold sandwiches and grilled food. Those on a visit to the Tavira area should consider popping into the Tavira Lounge for free wi-fi and a good range of snacks, bar meals, Mediterranean and Portuguese cuisine, and tapas.
For French cuisine, Le Marquis Restaurant, located at Monte da Palhagueira, Santa Barbara de Nexi, Faro, is fairly expensive but the food is highly regarded by previous diners. Another good option with a range of French-style food, as well as international options, is Casa do Pintor- Gourmet & Bistro, at Largo Santa Maria da Graca.
Johnny Hooper's Saxophone Bistro at Rua Almeida Garrett, Areias de S. Joao, Albufeira offers grills and traditional European cuisine. Johnny Hooper frequently plays the saxophone and other entertainment is frequently on offer. The International Cafe at Rua Antonio Barbosa Viana, Lagos sells a range of European food, including British-style pub meals and Sunday roast dinners. Also worth considering for a general range of European cuisine is Restaurante No Patio, situated at Vau, Alvor, Portimao.
The fairly expensive but high-quality Restaurante Buzio at Aldeamento Prainha, Alvor serves a variety of Mediterranean food. Recommended for pleasant outdoor eating and a real Mediterranean feel, is the Birds Nest restaurant at Tenoca Boliqueime, Loule, which serves great food at good prices. British-style Sunday lunches are also served. Pimenta Preta, near Vale de Centeanes, Carvoeiro, serves Mediterranean food with a mainly Portuguese theme.
British
The Crows Nest at Rua 25 De Abril No. 14, Alvor, Portimao is a traditional British restaurant serving a variety of pub food, it also shows live sports and has a pub quiz every Friday night. Although The International Cafe at Rua Antonio Barbosa Viana, Lagos sells a variety of European food, the menu has numerous British pub-style options and the Sunday roast dinners are said to be good.
Fans of burgers are unlikely to go wrong with Hamburgueria Casavostra - Casavostra Burger & Bistro at Av. 5 Outubro no. 360, Almancil, which serves various burgers and salads.
The Joker Bar at Rua Goncalo Velho, Quarteira also serves British-style pub/bar meals of a high quality, including traditional Sunday dinners, and offers sports broadcasts and free wi-fi. Oasis at Marina de Lagos, Lagos is another good bet for traditional pub-style food as well as snacks. Also consider the Cockerel County Chicken at Areias de Sao Joao, Albufeira for a selection of good British meals including steaks, or Marco's Bistro at Dunas de Alvor, Alvor, which offers a selection of meals and snacks.
Asian
Museu das Salgados at Estrada de Vale Parra, Albufeira sells some Asian cuisine, alongside European options. Those who enjoy sushi should earmark Sushi Ya at Rua Cruz das Mestras 36, Faro, which also has takeaway options, the prices are moderate, too. Also consider Fuji at Santa Eulalia, Albufeira, a Japanese restaurant which serves sushi, sashmi, tempura and sukiyaki, all to a high standard. It is open every day except for lunch on Mondays and Thursdays.
Albufeira is the best place to go for a selection of good Indian restaurants. Fans of Indian food should try Great India Tandoori Restaurant, located at Areias de S. Joao, Albufeira. There are takeaway and home delivery services, or you can eat inside the restaurant and take advantage of the restaurant's speciality dishes. Also consider the Clay Oven at Avenida dos Descobrimentos, Albufeira, which offers high-quality Indian food. O'Licorne, at Olhos de Agua, Albufeira, has a range of Indian curries, and also has a lawn area at the front, which is good for children to play on. Elsewhere in the Algarve, Saffron at Praia da Luz, Luz offers tandoori options and an outdoor patio dining area, overlooking the sea.
There are also numerous good Chinese restaurants at the Algarve. Happy House Chinese Buffet at Urbanizacao Quinta Pedra dos Bicos, Albufeira, is a high quality "all you can eat" Chinese restaurant, while Zu Yi, situated at Marina Plaza, Vilamoura, offers nice views over the sea front as well as offering a selection of high-quality Chinese food. At Rua Da Alagoa, Quarteira, Jin Du is also easy to recommend, and this restaurant includes takeaway and delivery options.
International
Museu das Salgados at Estrada de Vale Parra, Albufeira offers a range of European and Asian cuisine, and is popular with tourists and locals alike. Aventura Wine and Cocktail Bar at Rua Dos Pescadores, No 80, Salema offers good views from within the premises, outdoor eating facilities and a wide range of international cuisine. O Alambique, at Poco Barreto, Silves, is particularly suited to special occasions, as the food is quite expensive but of very high quality. Restaurant Mr. Freddies, in Sítio das Escanxinas, Almancil, is a good bet for both international and Portuguese cuisine, plus wines and desserts. Restaurante dos Artistas, at Rua Candido dos Reis, 68, Lagos, is quite pricey but offers a wide range of international food and outdoor patio eating if desired, plus the portions hearty.
Fine dining
The Dom Carlos Restaurant at Rua Alves Correia, Albufeira is a tight-knit family-run restaurant which offers a range of very well-received foods and is especially suited to special-occasion dining, with 4 or 5-course meals the norm. O Alambique, at Poco Barreto, Silves, is another good option. Agua na Boca in Salema is another good choice for special occasions, with a focus on high-quality Portuguese food, though bear in mind that it is closed on Wednesdays and that advance booking is recommended. Also worth considering is the Aventura Wine and Cocktail Bar at Rua Dos Pescadores, No 80, Salema, which offers international cuisine.
Restaurante Ruccula at Rua Poeta Joao de Deus, Alvor, Portimao is a good choice for those who would like something a bit different; the food is high quality, plus the views are good, too. Villa Joya at Praia da Gale, Albufeira is a two-star Michelin restaurant, which specialises in top notch fare. There's a "casual elegant" dress code. Restaurante dos Artistas, at Rua Candido dos Reis, 68, Lagos, offers a wide range of international food, and also provides an outdoor patio for al fresco dining surely one of the best things about being on holiday.
Cafes & bistros
Well worth a visit is Il Cappuccino café at R. Quinta da Correira, Albufeira, which serves mainly snacks, soups and cakes and coffee, and also a selection of main courses. The nearby Soft Caffe at Torre da Medronheira, Albufeira is a pleasant family-run cafe with a range of snacks, coffees and cakes, and also does good burgers.
Oasis at Marina de Lagos, Lagos , and Marco's Bistro at Dunas de Alvor, Alvor, are good outlets for snacks and cakes as well as a range of traditional British-style pub food. The Hamburgueria Casavostra - Casavostra Burger & Bistro at Av. 5 Outubro no. 360, Almancil is particularly well-known for its tasty burgers. Atomic at 15 Rua Principal, Burgau offers quality cafe snacks as well as home-cooked meals and free wi-fi. There's a quiz night on a Tuesday.
Those on a visit to the Tavira area should also think about popping into Tavira Lounge for free wi-fi and a delicious range of snacks, bar meals, Mediterranean and Portuguese cuisine, and tapas.
Seafood & grills
A Tasquinha do Rossio at Rua Dr. Santos, Albufeira, sells a great range of seafood, mostly locally-sourced, and is relatively inexpensive, too. Johnny Hooper's Saxophone Bistro at Rua Almeida Garrett, Areias de S. Joao, Albufeira offers grills and traditional European cuisine, along with entertainment, as the owner frequently plays the saxophone.
Os Arcos Restauarante, at Rua Alves Correia, 25, Albufeira, offers a range of seafood as well as Portuguese-themed menu choices. O Lusitano at Urbanizacao Quinta Correeira Lote 54-Bloco 4, Albufeira also focuses mostly on Portuguese-themed seafood, Fin du Mundo at Rua Manuel Teixiera Gomes No 28, Ferragudo serves a mix of Portuguese and English-style food with an emphasis on seafood.
Another good seafood restaurant, which also has some international cuisine on the menu, is Tres Palmeiras at Avenida Infante D Henrique 51, Albufeira. At Quinta do Romao, Quarteira lies the Restaurante Jorge do Peixe, which serves a wide range of high quality seafood.