David’s guidebook
Food scene
Here are some of my personal recommendations. I suggest different places for different tastes, moods, and settings. Enjoy, and let me know if you'd like a more personalized recommendation!
An Alvor classic, right on the beautiful Alvor beach. It is hard to find a place to eat closer to the ocean than here. This restaurant has a big reputation for its typical seafood dishes and fresh fish.
Around 35€ p/ person.
If you want fresh fish, avoid ordering it on Mondays, as on Sundays the fishermen don't go out to fish.
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Restinga
An Alvor classic, right on the beautiful Alvor beach. It is hard to find a place to eat closer to the ocean than here. This restaurant has a big reputation for its typical seafood dishes and fresh fish.
Around 35€ p/ person.
If you want fresh fish, avoid ordering it on Mondays, as on Sundays the fishermen don't go out to fish.
A family run italian restaurant. They do take away, but dining there is surprisingly cosy. Nice pizzas, pastas, and desserts. We go there often!
19 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mediterraneamente - Pizzeria
1A Beco da AmoreiraA family run italian restaurant. They do take away, but dining there is surprisingly cosy. Nice pizzas, pastas, and desserts. We go there often!
A typical, classic-style Portuguese food restaurant. The waiters are part of the history and energy of the place. Good, honest food, and fair prices. About 20€ p/ person.
Restaurante O Mané
A typical, classic-style Portuguese food restaurant. The waiters are part of the history and energy of the place. Good, honest food, and fair prices. About 20€ p/ person.
A Family owned and run restaurant that specializes in canned fish dishes. Try the spicy mackerel burger and the tasting menu. Absolutely delicious! You get to experience a bit of Portugal's cultural heritage (a big fishing and canned fish industry) and you can also buy high-quality canned fish as souvenirs. I go there about once a month :)
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Maria do Mar - Conservas
Rua DireitaA Family owned and run restaurant that specializes in canned fish dishes. Try the spicy mackerel burger and the tasting menu. Absolutely delicious! You get to experience a bit of Portugal's cultural heritage (a big fishing and canned fish industry) and you can also buy high-quality canned fish as souvenirs. I go there about once a month :)
It's a lovely restaurant with great typical Portuguese food. It has a relaxed atmosphere and is right on the beautiful Três Irmãos beach. The price is about 25€ per person. I go there when I want to treat a friend to something nice and cozy.
O Luís
It's a lovely restaurant with great typical Portuguese food. It has a relaxed atmosphere and is right on the beautiful Três Irmãos beach. The price is about 25€ per person. I go there when I want to treat a friend to something nice and cozy.
A classic place in the charming town of Ferragudo, about 15 mins from Pausa. Beautiful to eat out at sunset, overlooking the river and Portimão. Try a typical cataplana, or a more ubiquitous Algarvian grilled fish, with clams & shrimps for starters. 40€ p/ person.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sueste
3 R. da RibeiraA classic place in the charming town of Ferragudo, about 15 mins from Pausa. Beautiful to eat out at sunset, overlooking the river and Portimão. Try a typical cataplana, or a more ubiquitous Algarvian grilled fish, with clams & shrimps for starters. 40€ p/ person.
This is an original place from Alvor where you can usually find the owner in the grill, a very kind-hearted and smiling man. I love eating here. I'd recommend a grilled fish, but ask for the specials if you're feeling like exploring the local cuisine.
O Arco da Velha
This is an original place from Alvor where you can usually find the owner in the grill, a very kind-hearted and smiling man. I love eating here. I'd recommend a grilled fish, but ask for the specials if you're feeling like exploring the local cuisine.
Another good spot to eat locally in the center of Alvor. It was recently and tastefully redecorated. The waiters are nice, and the food is good. I like the prawn curry here, but everything I've tasted was delicious.
Sereia
Another good spot to eat locally in the center of Alvor. It was recently and tastefully redecorated. The waiters are nice, and the food is good. I like the prawn curry here, but everything I've tasted was delicious.
Sightseeing
One of our favourite beaches. A beautiful beach with lots of rocks formations and caves to explore. There's a restaurant there called Caniço that has a beautiful view, built into the rocks, right over the beach.
40 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beach Três Irmãos
Rua Praia dos Três IrmãosOne of our favourite beaches. A beautiful beach with lots of rocks formations and caves to explore. There's a restaurant there called Caniço that has a beautiful view, built into the rocks, right over the beach.
A fun beach that attracts younger crowds, with a big promenade full of shops and restaurants and the marina of Portimão at its end.
315 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Praia da Rocha
A fun beach that attracts younger crowds, with a big promenade full of shops and restaurants and the marina of Portimão at its end.
A more local beach, well sheltered from the wind. Beautiful sights and nice, relaxed vibes.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Praia do Alemao
A more local beach, well sheltered from the wind. Beautiful sights and nice, relaxed vibes.
My favorite beach. Even at the height of summer, there is plenty of space for everyone. And if you don't mind walking for about 10 minutes after parking your car, it will feel nice and quiet.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Isibhakabhaka sase-Alvor
My favorite beach. Even at the height of summer, there is plenty of space for everyone. And if you don't mind walking for about 10 minutes after parking your car, it will feel nice and quiet.
The town and surrounding mountains of Monchique are absolutely worth visiting. Famous for its thermal waters, beautiful views, and the iconic spirit Medronho (a strong liquor with about 40% volume; you have it with your coffee in the morning or after a meal, as a digestive).
You can hike there, go for lunch, visit the beautiful ceramics studio Bongard, and drink water straight from the mountain in the Fóia fountain, with breathtaking views.
Monchique
The town and surrounding mountains of Monchique are absolutely worth visiting. Famous for its thermal waters, beautiful views, and the iconic spirit Medronho (a strong liquor with about 40% volume; you have it with your coffee in the morning or after a meal, as a digestive).
You can hike there, go for lunch, visit the beautiful ceramics studio Bongard, and drink water straight from the mountain in the Fóia fountain, with breathtaking views.
Neighborhoods
A little fishermen village with plenty of shops, restaurants, and beautiful sights.
175 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alvor
A little fishermen village with plenty of shops, restaurants, and beautiful sights.