A Guide to the Algarve from TheAlgarveinfo.com

Posted on March 11, 2009
Filed Under Algarve

With little time to write and wanting to bring you the great happenings in the the Algarve, we’re inviting guest bloggers to help share their love of the Algarve with you.

We welcome Neil, our first guest blogger from the Algarve Portal “TheAlgarveInfo.com” a travel’s guide to all things Algarve from restaurants to hotels. If you’re planning a trip to the Algarve, be sure to check out MyAlgarve trip planner.

(photo credit: scottx)

The Algarve is a foodies paradise. No matter where you are in the Algarve you are never too far away from some sort of eating establishment. A bit like Ireland and pubs. The choice of restaurants is simply staggering – from the simplest of “tascas” to the Michelin starred and everything in between – Indian, Chinese, British, Thai, French and Fusion. To select a Top 10 list of Algarve restaurants would be sheer folly as everybody has their own opinion on the subject. Plus to be fair one would have to eat in every restaurant around – and there is almost 100,000 of them.

For the absolute top end dining experience just follow the Michelin stars. The only restaurant in the Algarve to be awarded 2 Michelin stars, Vila Joya has a stunning location to complement the stunning food. With one star each, Willies in Vilamoura, Henrique Leis and São Gabriel in the Golden Triangle should be on your list of fine dining venues.

algarve restaurante

Most people associate the Algarve with fantastic beaches – so what about the beach restaurants? Years ago most beach restaurants were shacks, very vulnerable to the vagaries of the weather and with uncertain plumbing. Nowdays you can enjoy great food in beach side restaurants all year round. Check out Papagaio at the famous Vale de Lobo Praça – a great all day restaurants and bar. For the most stunning entrance Caniço in Prainha wins hands down – you take an elevator down through the cliffs to get to the restaurant which is carved out of the rocks. For the best rest and relaxation, and huge fish kebabs, visit Windsurf on Praia da Alvor. And if you really want to get away from it all we suggest the Ilha Deserta – Desert Island. The only building on the island is the restaurant.

restaurant in the algarve

Visiting the Algarve and not eating fish is like visiting Egypt and not seeing the pyramids. Look for the restaurants grilling the fish on outside BBQ’s. Check out the harbour side restaurants in Alvor, such as Ababuja, the “sardine restaurants” in Portimão, under the old bridge. Sagres in the Western Algarve offers some of the best fish around – straight from the sea and wonderfully flavoursome. You can’t go wrong at Fio de Pesca or O Telheiro do Infante. In the Eastern Algarve there are fantastic restaurants serving fish, eels, octopus and shell fish right by the waters edge.

O Telheiro do Infante

Once you head inland away from the coast you can find some great restaurants serving hearty algarvian food. Wild boar, Lamb stew and goat kid stew – simmered for hours so that the meat falls of the bone, caldeirada and cataplana – traditional fish stews. The Monchique area is dotted with some fantastic restaurants - some with stunning views across the countryside as an added bonus.

For more great tips and suggestions, visit thealgarveinfo.com today and discover the best of the the Algarve has to offer.

Comments

14 Responses to “A Guide to the Algarve from TheAlgarveinfo.com”

mallory ferland on March 12th, 2009 5:17 pm

oh my gosh i’m in love with your site and your photography! this is the best travel blog i’ve ever seen! and i’ve been to a lot! i can’t seem to leave…i can’t beleive i didn’t go to Algarve when i was in Portugal, but i think it will be the center of my next trip there. First of my next 10 Portugal trips. i’m finishing my degree right now, writing my thesis in Portuguese history; Algarve is definitely the center spot of the world!
Eddie on March 12th, 2009 7:24 pm

hi Mallory, thanks for the kind words, really appreciate it! Yes Algarve is one of the hidden jewels and tons to see and do beside soaking up the sun : )
Ludovik on June 4th, 2009 8:46 pm

I’ll be in Algarve this summer and I cannot wait it looks beautiful, I’ll be staying at the Afalgar Village near Albufeira and for sure I’ll try some of the restaurants you’ve mentioned, thank you. http://www.club.royal-holiday.com/index.php?fuseaction=home.resort&id=219
mutuelle on July 3rd, 2009 11:23 am

cool post and high quality pictures, thank you for sharing them
nannie on August 3rd, 2009 11:57 am

Waitin for a new blog love the site! Going to Algarve in sept this year!
Keep up the good work!

xxx Nannie
mutuelle on September 30th, 2009 6:36 pm

thanks for the kind words, really appreciate it!
mutuelle on October 6th, 2009 11:12 am

Great pics thank’s
Lopsang Sherpa on January 9th, 2010 1:57 pm

I like you site very much. Pictures are really great.

All the best to you!

Lopsang Sherpa from Nepal

http://www.verticaladventures.biz

http://www.accesshimalaya.com
Tim on January 30th, 2010 4:10 am

Loved the pics, I stayed in Portimão two years ago; I visited the hills of Monchique and on the last day went on a memorable boat cruise to visit the caves along the coast near Lagos. This year have booked an apartment in Vilamoura with http://www.algarvexpress.com all their apartments are on special offer with 15% OFF if you book before the middle of February.
mutuelle on February 1st, 2010 11:54 am

Really nice pictures ! First picture is paradise, I would like to live there.
Denis on February 8th, 2010 3:44 pm

And if you want to stay in Algarve, a nice house or apartment, look at http://www.friendlyrentals.com/algarve houses. Like they do it for other cities and regions, they do select carefully the best options for successful holidays following your advice.

Congratulations for the good tips.
Anouk on February 19th, 2010 3:52 pm

Hello all,

I was hoping that maybe someone could give me a tip where I can find a restaurant, a villa or hotel in the Algarve with a semi private beach that could be used for a wedding!
I have seen many properties, but most of them are only available for at least a week (I only need it for 1 day or for 2 nights when it’s a villa or hotel) or are on too crowded beaches.
If anyone could give me a tip, it would be most appreciated!

Thanks you,

Kind regards
Anouk Lisman

Weddingplanning In Style
Jan on March 9th, 2010 11:55 am

The Algarve is definitely the place to be for those who enjoy good food, especially if you like fish.

If you are in for culture the Algarve has numerous small village that seem to date back to the stone ages. I usually prefer to stay in a somewhat larger city like Portimao or Albufeira (see: http://lookandbook.com/albufeira-hotels/albufeira/) and visit the country side from there.

Both cities are located at the sea making them a great destination for beach vacations.
mutuelle assur-online on March 10th, 2010 4:14 pm

I like you site very much. Pictures are really great.

All the best to you