The dining scene of Faro reflects itself, a working port city where locals and tourists converge, creating a restaurant culture that serves both communities without compromise. Traditional tascas packed with Portuguese families sit alongside sleek contemporary dining rooms drawing international travellers.

Family-run establishments still serving recipes passed down through generations share the same streets as ambitious young chefs earning Michelin recognition for their modern interpretations of regional cuisine. Whether you're seeking the comfort of classic Algarvian cooking or the excitement of Portugal's culinary future, Faro delivers both with equal conviction.

This guide cuts through the noise to direct you to Faro's best restaurants ensuring every meal is a memorable part of your visit.

 

 

The following selection represents Faro's finest restaurants, carefully chosen to reflect the city's diverse culinary landscape. Each category helps you find the perfect meal to match your mood, budget, and occasion.

Traditional & Seafood

Tasca do Ricky
Portuguese, Seafood - €€
Best for: An unforgettably authentic Portuguese meal
This small, unassuming restaurant consistently ranks among Faro's very best for one simple reason: passion. Here, ancestral Algarve recipes are executed with heart and soul, while warm hospitality makes every guest feel like a local regular. The menu celebrates regional cuisine at its finest - the seafood cataplana is a standout, alongside perfectly grilled fresh fish and rich razor clam rice. Due to its popularity and intimate size, reservations aren't accepted during peak season (May-September), so arrive early.
www.tascadorickyfaro.com/

Taberna Zé-Zé
Seafood, Portuguese - €€-€€€
Best for: A top-tier seafood cataplana.
Beloved by locals and visitors alike, this authentic taberna has earned a formidable reputation for serving one of the Algarve's best Cataplanas de Marisco. The menu showcases the Ria Formosa's bounty through traditional seafood rice dishes and impeccably fresh shellfish, all served in a classic, no-nonsense setting. With mains around €20, it delivers excellent value for exceptional seafood.
tabernaze-ze.makro.rest/

À Do Pinto
Seafood, Portuguese - €€-€€€
Best for: Classic seafood dishes in the heart of the city.
Consistently praised for both food and service, À Do Pinto is a reliable choice for traditional Portuguese seafood in a central location. The kitchen excels at the classics, transforming fresh Faro coast ingredients into standout dishes like Arroz de Marisco, clams Bulhão Pato style, and fried octopus - a quintessential Faro dining experience that delivers quality and authenticity.
adopinto.pt/

Vila Adentro
Portuguese, Regional - €€€
Best for: Historic dining in the Old Town.
Dining at Vila Adentro transcends the plate. Housed in a magnificent 18th-century former azulejo factory in the walled Old Town, the restaurant's stunning blue and white tiles create an unforgettable backdrop for well-executed regional dishes. While the seafood is excellent, they're also noted for a particularly delicious vegetarian cataplana - a rarity in the region.
www.vilaadentro.pt

Adega Nova
Portuguese, Traditional - €€
Best for: Hearty portions and bustling local atmosphere.
Located in a cavernous converted warehouse near the train station, Adega Nova is a beloved local institution. Famous for generous portions, affordable prices, and convivial atmosphere far from the tourist trail, the menu focuses on simple preparations of fresh fish, enormous seafood skewers, and an extensive Portuguese wine selection from its own cellar. Two people can feast with wine for around €40 - one of the city's best value propositions.
restauranteadeganova.com

Chefe Branco
Portuguese, Seafood - €€
Best for: Local-approved cataplana and grilled fish.
Frequently recommended by residents and local hosts, Chefe Branco is a trusted destination for classic Algarve comfort food. The restaurant excels at flavorful monkfish cataplana and perfectly grilled fresh fish, served in a relaxed atmosphere with pleasant outdoor seating. A solid, reliable choice for authentic traditional dining, with mains ranging from €12 to €18.

Innovative & Fine Dining

Alameda
Modern Portuguese, Fine Dining - €€€€
Best for: A Michelin-starred culinary journey.
Alameda represents the pinnacle of Faro's burgeoning fine dining scene. Here, Faro native Chef Rui Sequeira crafts a deeply personal tribute to his homeland through innovative tasting menus recognised by Michelin. Each exquisitely presented dish tells a story rooted in local legends and traditions, masterfully blending modern culinary techniques with profound respect for the region's finest ingredients. All served in a sophisticated, contemporary setting. Tasting menu a €90-115.
restaurantealamedafaro.com/

CHECKin by Leonel Pereira
Contemporary, Fine Dining - €€€€
Best for: Creative, high-concept dining.
Helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Leonel Pereira, CHECKin offers a theatrical dining experience within a beautifully remodelled historic warehouse. The menu cleverly mirrors a journey - with sections titled "Check-in," "Special Moments," and "Check-out" - guiding diners through visually stunning dishes that showcase seasonal ingredients. A destination for adventurous diners seeking culinary artistry and innovation.
checkinfaro.pt/

ATO Restaurante
Seafood, Mediterranean - €€€
Best for: Intimate modern seafood dining.
Despite its small size, ATO has made an enormous impression on Faro's dining scene, earning exceptional ratings from discerning diners. The focus on pristine seafood and Mediterranean flavours, prepared with refined modern technique, has quickly made it a favourite among those in the know. Reviewers consistently praise the perfectly cooked fish and creative compositions - an intimate gem for high-quality dining.
www.atorestaurante.com

Global Flavours

Pigs and Cows
French, International - €€€
Best for: An intimate French-inspired meal.
This charming restaurant is a passion project run by a French-Portuguese husband-and-wife team, built around the motto "Good vibes for happy people". The French chef, who left aerospace to pursue his culinary dream, crafts an excellent, constantly evolving menu inspired by global travels but grounded in classic technique. Standout dishes include duck gyozas and perfectly cooked steak. The three-course chef's menu offers remarkable value at around €44.50.
www.pigsandcowsalgarve.com/

Restaurant Céu
Asian, Fusion - €€€
Best for: Inventive South American and Asian fusion.
Céu, meaning 'sky' or 'heaven' in Portuguese, lives up to its name with stellar creative fusion of South American and Asian flavours. The menu guarantees 100% fresh ingredients and is 95% gluten-free, offering vibrant, beautifully presented dishes in a modern setting. One of the city's most popular and highly-rated restaurants - advance booking essential. Around €50 per person.
www.restaurantceu.com/

Kaira Sushi
Japanese, Sushi - €€-€€€
Best for: High-quality sushi and Japanese cuisine.
Widely regarded as the region's premier Japanese destination, Kaira Sushi offers an extensive menu of impeccably fresh nigiri and sashimi alongside creative signature rolls and hot Japanese dishes. With unwavering commitment to quality ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere, it consistently satisfies even the most discerning sushi connoisseurs.

Mavala Osteria Italiana
Italian, Mediterranean - €€-€€€
Best for: Authentic Italian cuisine.
This small, charming osteria has captured hearts as a "little hidden gem", earning a loyal following for its authentic Italian cuisine. Every dish, from starter to dessert, is prepared with care and exceptional ingredients. For those seeking a true taste of Italy in Faro, this delightful spot is well worth seeking out.

Namastey Restaurant
Indian, Asian - €€
Best for: Delicious Indian cuisine.
With overwhelmingly positive reviews, Namastey stands as Faro's most beloved destination for Indian food. Celebrated for authentic curries, flavourful tandoori dishes, and warm service, combined with very reasonable prices (around €15 per person), it offers a deeply satisfying dining experience that consistently delights.

Casual Bites & Unique Finds

Faaron Steakhouse
Steakhouse, American - €€€-€€€€
Best for: A premium steak dinner.
Faaron is the undisputed champion for meat lovers in Faro. Led by meticulous Chef Diogo Dias, this premium steakhouse specialises in high-quality aged cuts of both national and imported beef. The menu is a carnivore's dream - from classic sirloin and ribeye to impressive T-bones and shareable Tomahawk steaks. The elegant yet relaxed atmosphere provides a sophisticated alternative to the region's seafood-centric dining.
faaronsteakhouse.com/

Outro Lado
Vegan, Portuguese - €€
Best for: Exceptional vegan versions of Portuguese classics.
A true pioneer in Faro's food scene, Outro Lado masterfully reinterprets hearty Portuguese cuisine for plant-based palates. Experience incredible vegan versions of iconic dishes like the traditionally meat-heavy Francesinha sandwich or traditional fish stew. Creative, deeply flavourful, and beloved by vegans and meat-eaters alike, all served in a cosy, welcoming space. A must-visit for anyone interested in the delicious future of food.

A Venda
Petiscos, Portuguese - €€
Best for: Authentic petiscos in a cosy setting.
With charming ambiance that feels like dining in a grandmother's lounge, A Venda is the perfect spot to experience petiscos culture. This small, informal restaurant serves an array of traditional sharing plates, all made from scratch in an open kitchen. The menu offers excellent options for meat-eaters, vegetarians, and vegans, making it a versatile and authentic choice.

Old Tavern
Petiscos, Portuguese - €€
Best for: Fun, theatrical tapas and sangria.
Immensely popular for its lively atmosphere and delicious petiscos, Old Tavern offers meals that are both tasty and entertaining. The undisputed star is the flaming chorizo, dramatically lit on fire at your table. Complemented by generous sharing boards of meats and cheeses plus excellent sangria, it's perfect for a fun, casual meal with friends.
oldtavern.pt/en

A Fábrica
Burgers, American - €€
Best for: The city's best gourmet burgers.
When only a great burger will do, A Fábrica is Faro's definitive answer. Consistently rated as the city's best burger joint, it delivers high-quality, juicy burgers with creative toppings - including spectacular melted "cheese rain". Paired with excellent homemade lemonade in a modern, welcoming space, it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ponto Smokehouse
Sandwiches, Casual - €
Best for: A quick, delicious, budget-friendly bite.
Tucked away opposite the train station, this tiny spot is a treasured local secret for incredible quality and value. Ponto Smokehouse does one thing exceptionally well: low-and-slow smoked pulled pork sandwiches on fresh, crusty baguettes. For just a few euros, you get a sandwich rivalling far pricier establishments - unbeatable for a quick, satisfying, budget-friendly lunch or snack.

Beyond simple recommendations, some restaurants offer experiences so unique they demand a closer look. These establishments don't just serve food - they tell stories of a chef's dream, a city's history, a culinary philosophy. They transform meals into lasting memories, representing the very soul of Faro's diverse and evolving food scene.

Alameda: A Michelin-Starred Love Letter to the Algarve

Alameda is more than Faro's premier fine dining restaurant; it's the realisation of Chef Rui Sequeira's dream. A Faro native who honed his craft in prestigious kitchens - including Serge Vieira's two-Michelin-starred restaurant in France - Sequeira returned home to open the city's first true haute cuisine establishment. The restaurant pays genuine homage to the Algarve, where modern culinary artistry explores and elevates the region's traditional roots and rich bounty.

The centrepiece is the tasting menu, poetically titled "Love beyond time: A journey through the tales of the Algarve". This isn't merely a sequence of dishes but a narrative journey. Each course draws inspiration from local legends, presented to diners as an immersive cultural experience connecting the plate to the land's history. Standout dishes include tender octopus with smoky chorizo, succulent Algarve pork, and perfectly cured codfish with traditional migas.

The sophisticated contemporary ambiance features an open kitchen showcasing the team's calm, focused precision. Yet the atmosphere avoids stuffiness, achieving "fun fine dining" where elegant food meets warm, impeccable service. With tasting menus from €89 to €115, Alameda is a special-occasion destination, its consistent Michelin Guide recommendation serving as definitive proof of exceptional quality.

CHECKin by Leonel Pereira: A Journey of Culinary Creativity

Located in a beautifully remodelled former cereal and wine storehouse in Faro's historic centre, CHECKin showcases the bold vision of Chef Leonel Pereira, an Algarve native who previously earned a Michelin star. The entire concept revolves around travel metaphor - the menu structured like a flight itinerary, inviting guests to begin with "Check-in" (creative starters), proceed through "Cozinhados no Tacho" (traditional pot-cooked dishes) and "Momentos Especiais" (signature mains), concluding with "Check-out" (desserts).

Chef Pereira's cooking demonstrates deep respect for seasonal products, transformed using current and advanced techniques whilst minimising fat, sugar, and salt. Dishes are as visually striking as they are flavourful. Praised signatures include tender slow-cooked octopus, perfectly roasted suckling pig with crispy skin, and the highly recommended cheesecake with strawberries, lime, and tangerine peel ice cream.

While CHECKin aims for the highest culinary standards, experiences can vary. Some diners note inconsistencies, particularly regarding service and allergy handling. Clear advance communication of dietary restrictions when booking ensures the kitchen can fully accommodate needs and deliver the seamless journey promised.

Vila Adentro: Dining Amidst Centuries of History

Dining at Vila Adentro means stepping back in time. The restaurant's name - "inside the village" - perfectly describes its location within Faro's ancient Old Town walls. The building itself is a historical artefact: a magnificent 18th-century former azulejo factory. The interior resembles a museum, with stunning original tile panels adorning walls, narrating Portuguese heritage tales and creating unparalleled historic charm.

Adding intrigue is a secret beneath the dining room floor: an ancient Moorish tunnel, part of a mysterious network running beneath the old city. Friendly staff often offer guests glimpses into this subterranean passage, adding adventure to the dining experience.

While the historic setting draws visitors, the food holds its own with well-executed traditional and regional dishes. The menu features classic seafood and meat preparations but is particularly noted for excellent vegetarian cataplana - a thoughtful, delicious option with chickpeas, seasonal vegetables, and tofu. Vila Adentro offers the quintessential Old Town Faro experience, where food, décor, and the building's very stones steep diners in centuries of Portuguese history.

Faaron Steakhouse: The Prime Destination for Carnivores
In a region celebrated for seafood, Faaron Steakhouse makes a bold, successful statement with singular focus: being the Algarve's premier destination for meat lovers. The restaurant's mission centres on providing exceptional steak experiences, specialising in high-quality aged cuts of both national and prestigious imported beef - a relative rarity in this coastal city.

Chef Diogo Dias drives Faaron's success, his passion for quality evident in rigorous meat selection from the world's best beef producers - a process he's personally overseen since opening in 2015. The menu testament to this dedication offers eight distinct cuts satisfying different palates, from classic tenderloin and perfectly marbled ribeye to commanding options like 15-day matured T-bone and impressive shareable Tomahawk steak.

The dining experience matches the meat's memorability. The atmosphere is intimate, elegant, and relaxed with careful, attentive service. Dishes arrive on traditional cutting boards, accompanied by signature sides like potato generously stuffed with crème fraîche, elevating the meal from simple dinner to curated gastronomic event for true carnivores.

Outro Lado: The Vegan Revolution of Portuguese Cuisine
Outro Lado stands as arguably Faro's most innovative and culturally significant restaurant. Operating not just as vegan dining but as culinary embassy, it proves that hearty, soulful Portuguese flavours can be brilliantly reimagined within completely plant-based frameworks. It demonstrates how culinary tradition can evolve without losing identity.

Outro Lado's genius lies in masterful reinterpretation of classics. The menu features stunning vegan versions of dishes famously reliant on meat and fish. Their plant-based Francesinha - traditionally layered with multiple meats and covered in cheese - triumphs in flavour and texture. Other remarkable creations include vegan "fish" stew with tofu evoking the sea's taste, savoury vegan "duck rice", and complex artisanal cashew cheese boards.

The cosy, welcoming atmosphere feels like a passionate family-run business where every dish radiates love and care. Immense popularity with both vegans and curious omnivores testifies to quality, making advance reservations essential. Outro Lado offers more than great meals - it's delicious proof that plant-based food can be profoundly comforting, culturally resonant, and exceptionally creative.

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