What to eat in the Algarve: one more reason to choose this destination

The Algarve’s cuisine is one of these reasons

Although enjoying local fresh fish or shellfish is always a good choice for travelers, you should take note of the salt flower of Castro Marim, famous octopus of Tavira, shellfish of Formosa, or goose barnacles of Sagres. A number of dishes make up the interesting gastronomy of restaurants in the region that have received multiple Michelin stars.

The cataplana is one of its most famous dishes

It’s a dish that embodies a cuisine they say has become famous for being authentic and genuine. In this case, fish and shellfish are the stars of a dish that also has a mountain version. But the shellfish version is the most famous. 

Vegetables typically used in a stir-fry and cured meats, such as ham or chorizo, are also part of this famous recipe to which a little brandy is always added. They say that if the cataplana tastes like anything it’s the Algarve.

Grelhados with their very characteristic aroma

In this case it’s not a food or a recipe in itself, but the smell of barbecue. The embers in which the Portuguese of the south specially grill their fish. In this case, it’s impossible and unforgivable for a traveler to miss this aroma combined with taste of the freshest fish, such as sardines.

The best restaurants in the Algarve

Although talking about the best is always a little silly, in this case and in this context you really can’t miss the Vista Restaurant in Portimão. An emblem captained by Carlos Fernandes, holder of a Michelin star since 2018. 

Ocean Restaurant with its two Michelin stars in Porches, Al Quimina in Albufeira, which also has two stars Avenida Restaurante in Lagos, Restaurante Hexagonein Caboeiro or Taverna Modesto in Faro are other restaurants that travelers shouldn’t miss. You must visit them if you want experience the fame of Portuguese dishes and cuisine in around the world for yourself and check out what to eat in the Algarve so you’ll always want to come back.

Author: Tirza Fagundes

Hospitality Supervisor at Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort

Hello! My name is Tirza Fagundes and I am honoured and proud to be the Hospitality Supervisor at Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort. My first contact with the hospitality industry was in 2017 with Minor Hotel Group, when I first started at as part of the Front Office Team. With time, my passion for providing exceptional customer service bloomed, allowing me to grow professionally and, in 2022, enter Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort as Supervisor of Hospitality. Nowadays, surrounded by my amazing team, we are exceptionally proud and dedicated to curating unique experiences suited for each guest and thereby creating timeless and unforgettable memories to exceed our guests’ expectations that transcend the vicinity of our resort and region. Me and my team will be more than happy to provide you with a warm welcome here at Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort and provide you with the most unique experiences to embrace and showcase our region’s most precious gems, local culture, and hospitality.