Restaurants

followed by

Music, Entertainment and Dancing
in Western Algarve

This a FREE guide prepared by Star Villa Holidays

Please print for your own enjoyment © Star Villa Holidays 2008.
We welcome your comments and suggestions for new additions.
These are just a few of the many restaurants/bars in the area.

SAMPLING THE LOCAL CUISINE

Eating out in Portugal is both affordable and enjoyable. The Portuguese adore eating ! Portuguese cuisine is often quite simple and mixes Mediterranean ingredients such as onion, garlic, tomato and olive oil with more Northern European attributes such as butter, cream and dripping. During the Discoveries Portuguese sailors introduced many spices to the country, one which is popular in the Algarve is piri-piri, a type of red-hot chilli pepper.

The Portuguese eat a lot of fish but be warned, often the fish will come to the table with scales, eyes and tentacles still in tact; not for the faint-hearted, but please ask the waiter to take the fish off the bone etc. For the more traditional palate there are plenty of beef and pork steaks. For snacks, ham and cheese toasties are available everywhere, and try a delicious Portuguese soup. They are home-made and wonderfully filling. The local, crusty, fresh bread is a wonderful accompaniment and is a treat eaten warm with butter. Portuguese wines are now up with the best in the world and if you're eating lunch a vinho verde is a light and refreshing accompaniment.

Couvert - "Cover": The Portuguese pride themselves in cooking fresh to order, so they provide a series of appetizers known as the "Couvert" to carry you through the seemingly long wait for the meal to arrive. The "Couvert" is charged as a base fee added to your bill at all sit down restaurants. It often catches 1st time visitors by surprise. The "Couvert" usually includes bread, butter, sardine pate and olives. You generally pay for what you consume, although some restaurants have a flat cover fee. Other restaurants will bring you an endless stream of appetizers. Remember that these savoury treats are NOT FREE. You will end up paying for them, so if you are not interested in these appetizers, just politely let your waiter know. Some examples of these additional covers are shrimp; cod fish pastry; shrimp or chicken pastry; octopus salad and more.....!

Main Course Accompaniments: In most restaurants, the main course is served with potatoes and a mixed salad; ask your server for specifics; you can usually request a preference of boiled, chipped or fried potatoes. Rice is also often served.

TVs: If you are visiting the Algarve during any major sporting event you will find that several restaurants now sport flat screen TVs. The Portuguese love their football and so never want to miss any.

Restaurants, Taverns, Cafes & Beach bars:A whole range of national and international cuisine is available, including curry houses if you absolutely must, but in particular we highlight the traditional tavernas and adegas where proper Algarvian dishes are served. Below is just a small selection.

A Tasca - A very basic bar, often even someone’s converted shed or garage; not glamorous but cheap and cheerful.
O Bar - Nice in the evening for a cold local beer (eg. SuperBock), a long drink or something stronger. Visit a Portuguese bar which is very different from a tourist one - and cheaper! Try a regional Medronho with a small black coffee (bica). Medronho is the local fire-water, made from the fruitof the Arbutus tree.
A Churrasqueira (or 'Churrasco') This is a grill restaurant specialising in BBQ meats and fish.
A Marisqueira is a specialist for seafood.
O Restaurant - Don’t be put off by simple Portuguese restaurants; often the more plain the establishment, the better the fare. Portuguese waiters are reputedly the best in Europe and some of the more upmarket restaurants boast food as good as you will find in the best London restaurants and pleasant service.
A Pastelaria - Often a meeting point for Portuguese friends and families, there is a pastelaria on nearly every corner. They serve a range of items from coffees, hot chocolates, soft drinks to beers and whiskeys and, of course a huge variety of cakes and pastries. Try the daily-made cakes which are simply delicious made from almonds, marzipan and egg.
A Gelataria offers ice creams, sorbets and fresh fruit smoothies.

PRAIA DA LUZ

Bar Habana The locals know it as 'the International' and it's a popular place to meet. It's right on the beach front and offers lovely 'all day breakfasts' and snacks. Home to the Luz webcam - say hello to 'Mum' with a wave live on the internet

Lazuli - Next to Bar Habana on the beach. Open all day for snacks etc.

Cachoa Restaurante - An old converted farmhouse with a nice dining terrace. It's located down a fairly obscure dirt track between Luz and Lagos so can be hard to find but worth the effort for beautifully cooked and presented food. Sítio Cachoa, tel: 282 782 822

City Sol - Chinese restaurant located opposite the Hotel Belavista tel: 282 789 878

Chaplins- Located close to the church in Luz. English-run. Popular Sunday lunch. tel: 282 789 932

The Duke - English family-run pub and restaurant. Rua da Praia, 19.

Godot's - Long established bar and restaurant with outside terrace. English-run. Rua 25 Abril, tel: 282 789 647

Fortaleza Da Luz - Restaurant and 'churrasco' set in superb gardens with sea view. Jazz Lunch on most Sundays. Rua da Igreja, 3, tel: 282 789 926

Lime Tree - Up-market restaurant for special occasions. Good reports. Rua 25 Abril, 16, tel: 282 789 475

Cavaleiro da Luz - Avenida dos Pescadores. Opposite Fort. tel: 282 788 226

Marujo - Open all day and a nicely varied menu. Opposite the Fort. tel: 282 789 667

Atlantico - Portuguese and International cuisine. Opposite Fort. tel: 282 788 799

O Poço - Located overlooking the sea-front promenade (you might need to book to guarantee a place at the ocean-view window), this restaurant offers no-frills tasty cooking with an emphasis on fish dishes. Can be very slow. tel: 282 789 189

Pizza Real - Restaurant and take-away located close to the beach front in Luz. Proper Italian style pizzas and good Indian curries. tel: 282 788 369

Pizzeria Delicia - Pizza and pasta restaurant and take-away on the Ave. dos Pescadores, just up from the church square. tel: 282 789 766

Aquario - Rapidly gaining an excellent reputation, it's a small place tucked away in the rather unprepossessing Edificio Luztur complex just up from the Church square. Highly recommended. Rua 1. de Maio. tel: 282 789 177

Valverde - Open 7 days a week, on the main road out of Luz. tel: 282 789 474

The Dolphin - South African specialities (i.e meat and more meat) and highly rated.. Rua da Calheta. tel: 282 789 992

Kelly's - English style bar snuggled away down a side street off the Church Square. If you meet the owner and are foolish enough to start talking football be prepared for a complete run-down of Liverpool's European away matches in the 1980s, including scorers, substitutes and shocking refereeing decisions.

The Bull - English-owned, restaurant / pub (mostly English dishes) and bar with sea views. Sky sports . Rua Calheta, No.5 - just off the church square. tel: 282 788 823

The Plough & Harrow - English type Pub. tel: 91 761 4899

Volare - Pizza and pasta take-away on Rua 25 de Abril. tel: 282 789 607

Boozey Soozey's - Open 'til 02.00 seven days a week. In the commercial centre next to the Farmàcia - which you will need in the morning for the hangover. tel: 282 788 009

Clive's Bar - Great bar with friendly atmosphere hosted by a cocktail meister.

Mirage - One of the liveliest spots in Luz, puts on special party nights through the season. Pool table, table football, music video screens and large beer garden. Located near the Ocean club on Rua da Ramalhette. tel: (282) 78 80 41

Nautilus Bar - Friendly bar on Ave. dos Pescadores just up from the church square.

The Privé - The only proper nightclub in the Luz area. Good for all ages from 18y. It's also the place with the latest drinking hours in Luz.

Paraiso - The beach-bar and restaurant right on the beach in Luz. tel: 282 788 246

ALMADENA

O Celeiro – Country restaurant near Almadena 5 mins drive from Luz. A wonderful Portuguese family restaurant packed with local antiquities. Very highly recommended. Take Burgau Road out of Luz, Left for Almadena and left up track just before crossing EN125 tel: 282 697 144

BURGAU

Ancora Restaurant - Friendly and relaxed. Terrace with sea view. Huge portions. A bit pricey. tel: 282 69102

Burgau Beach Bar - Always popular, right on the beach, super food. Reservations recommended. tel: 282 697 553

A Barraca (The Hut) - Looks basic but the food is good, particularly for fresh, grilled fish. And it offers a lovely view high over Burgau beach and across to the cliffs tel: 282 697 748

Beira Mar - Friendly restaurant at the bottom of the slip-way. Varied menu, excellent sea views.

The Pig's Head - English-run pub grub and sunday roasts - Montinhos de Burgau.

ESPICHE

Fontenario - Excellent family-run restaurant offering extensive Portuguese and international menu in relaxing and pleasant surroundings. Small childrens play area outside on terrace. tel: 282 789 953

BUDENS

O Tiago - In the village between Burgau and Salema. Varied and generous portions. Booking recommended. tel: 282 695 081

SALEMA

Boia Bar - Portuguese bar/restaurant on the beach. Extensive choice of fish and meat dishes. Beautiful surroundings and friendly staff. tel: 282 695 382

BARAO de S. JOAO

Florestal - In beautiful, tranquil setting, surrounded by National Forest. International cuisine. Lunches and dinners. tel: 282 687 204

LAGOS TOWN CENTRE

Adega Velha - Excellent wine cellar. Trav. dos Taneiros, 7. tel: 282 761 752

Cantinho Algarvio - Traditional Portuguese cuisine. Rua Afonso de Almeida, 17-21. tel: 282 761 289

Dom Sebastião - High quality restaurant and good for large groups. Super service and wonderful food, dining at its most luxurious. Prices very reasonable. Roof garden. tel: 282 762 795

Duquesa - International cuisine. Rua Marreiros Neto 37. tel: 282 764 716

Giga - Sandwiches, crepes, salads and fruit juices. Rua Conselheiro Joaquim Machado, 5.

Italia - Restaurant and pizzeria. Rua Garrett 26-28. tel: 282 760 030

Momo 59 - Authentic Tibetan cuisine. Travessa do Mar No.3. tel: 282 767 802

Navegador - Sea views, international cuisine. Rua da Barroca, 1-3. tel: 282 767 162

O Alberto - Superb Portuguese cuisine. Recommended. Located at Convento da Nossa Senhora da Gloria 27, behind the Tivoli Hotel. tel: 282 769 387

O Artista - Karaoke and live music. Opposite the Hotel Lagos on Rua Antònio Crisògno dos Santos. tel: 282 761 731

Pouso do Infante - Portuguese and international cuisine with grilled dishes a speciality. Rua Afonso de Almeida, 11. tel: 282 764 625

No Patio - Nice terrace patio. Very popular, a bit pricey. Rua Lançarote de Freitas, 46 tel: 282 763 777

Piri Piri - Portuguese cuisine. Rua Afonso de Almeida, 10 tel: 282 763 803

Reis - Long established and offering the best of Portuguese cuisine. Rua Antonio Barbosa Viana, 21 tel: 282 762 900

Vagabundo Do Mar - Charcoal grilled meat and fish. Rua da Estrema, 22 tel: 282 763 356

Sheng Hua - Chinese restaurant located just off the main sea front avenue (Avenida dos Descobrimentos) towards the marina tel: 282 768 324

Taberna De Lagos - A proper 'taberna' (tavern) with live music and exhibitions. Rua 25 Abril tel: 282 084 250

Terraco da China - Chinese restaurant with sun terrace. Take-away available. Rua 25 de Abril, No.91

The Taste of India - Indian tandoori restaurant (take-away service) available. Rua Afonso D'Almeida, 27. tel: 282 768 083

Filho d’Mae - Portuguese family run restaurant, tapas style dishes and full menu with daily specials - excellent value. Near Lidl. Sitio dos Moinhos, Cerro do Convento, St. Amaro, Lote 7 C. tel: 282 760 074

LAGOS MARINA

Adega de Marina - An authentic adega style dining hall. You know it's good because the locals eat there, often in large family groups. Excellent service, fantastic food, value for money and a great atmosphere. Can be found on the main sea front avenue (Avenida dos Descobrimentos) towards the marina end. tel: 282 764 284

Do Cais - Bar and bistro with International cuisine. Tasty and interesting menu. Great location overlooking all the posh boats in the Marina. tel: 282 792 037

Convento dos Frades - Great seafood. Located close to the Hotel Tivoli. Largo Convento Senhora da Gloria, 29. tel: 282 763 152

LAGOS MEIA PRAIA

Linda Beach Bar - The owners call the cuisine 'Mediterranean with subtle Thai flavours' and we like it. Friday nights BBQ night. tel: 282 792 037

Destino - Restaurant and bar offering Mediterranean dishes in a Moorish setting. Part of the 'Jardim da Meia Praia' resort. tel: 282 792 473

O Mandarin - Well established Chinese restaurant on the hill in Calicas above Meia Praia. tel: 282 762 401

LAGOS PORTO DO MOS area

O Antonio - Beach bar good for shellfish overlooking the beach and sea.

O Campimar - Basic but friendly beach bar, offering traditional Portuguese style cooking overlooking the beach and sea. tel: 282 762 957

Triangulo - on the Tulip roundabout. tel: 282 764 736