Eating out in the Algarve

Fine dining in São Lourenço, Victoria Boulevard and Quinta do Lago

The Algarve is in a privileged position on Portugal’s southern coast to provide it’s guests with an amazing variety of culinary delights. Due to an influx of immigrants from many countries in the world, the choice varies from the humble (and very British) fish & chips to the freshest seafood dishes, served straight from the fishing net to your table! The local produce is many and varied, with some unusual and delicious vegetables and fruits that can only thrive in this sub-tropical climate. The international influences come from far-reaching countries such as India, China and Mozambique. Please find below a small selection of dishes available (and a few Portuguese translations, to help you with your gastronomic choices!):

Starters

Soups are a staple food of the Portuguese people and there are many tasty, healthy varieties and a substantial source of your much-needed 5-a-day nutrients. Some of the local favourites are:

Feijão - bean soup, with a variety of local beans
Cenoura - carrot soup, nice and creamy
Legumes - vegetable, lots of local produce

Salads are also a popular, healthy choice with local produce being included, such as:

Alface - lettuce, many varieties available
Cebola - onions, hot and tasty
Tomate - tomatoes, red, round and succulent
Azeite - olive Oil, a fine companion for salads

Another favourite is the Tuna or Chicken salad, servings of which are usually large enough for a very substantial lunch. Also at lunchtime many restaurants offer a Prato do Dia (Dish of the Day) which is usually a regional or chef’s favourite and is invariably good value for money.

Main courses

Most of the average Portuguese restaurants have these regular cuts of meat available, and they are generally grilled as a healthier choice, including the following:

Costaletas de porco/borrego - pork/lamb chops
Entrecosto de porco - pork Spare Ribs
Picanha - brazilian cut of succulent steak
Espetadas de novilho/porco - veal/pPork Kebabs
Frango Piri-Piri - chicken, with a hot and spicy coating

Fish dishes are many and varied and are all tempting, especially when you see them displayed in the chiller cabinets of your favourite restaurants. Be careful to read your menus carefully, as sometimes the fish are priced PER KILO, not EACH, and this can come as a bit of a shock when you get your wallet out to pay the bill! Most chefs will go to the local markets first thing in the morning and will serve their fish fresh daily. Some of the favourites with locals and tourists alike are:

Arroz de Marisco - seafood rice, a tasty mix of fish & rice
Cataplana - another mix of seafood (sometimes including meat)
Camarões prawns – served plain or with garlic
Robalo sea bass – preferably simply grilled
Lulas - squid (sometimes in seafood kebabs)

Desserts

The Portuguese are notorious for their sweet tooth and the vast array of delicious desserts are usually home-made and based on the fruits and produce that is available locally:

Bolo de Amêndoa - almond cake (with many variations)
Molotof - caramel and meringue confection
Arroz Doce - rice pudding (served cold)
Bolo de Bolacha - biscuit cake
Pudim - portuguese version of créme caramel

These are just a small sample of the many and varied items of cuisine that are available in the Restaurants across the Algarve. There is also an increasing amount of International cuisine with Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Italian restaurants popping up in the main tourist areas, with a few good Fish and Chip shops (should you miss your local chipshop!) You can also find the ever-popular MacDonalds, KFC, Pizza Hut outlets in the larger shopping Malls, such as Forum Algarve (Faro) and Algarve Shopping (Guia).

Wine

Whilst you are enjoying your meal, you will of course want to wash it all down with some of the local ‘vinho’. Portugal is one of the most popular wine-producing countries, famous for more than the widely exported Mateus Rosé! There are many wine regions in this small country such as Dão Douro, Alentejo, all producing fine drinks at affordable prices, such as the following:

Mateus Rosé- ever-popular slightly sparkling rosé wine
Quinta do Carmo - excellent quality red and white wines
Vinho Verde - ‘green’ wine, young, fruity and sharp
Esporão - high class red and white wines
Duas Quintas - high class red and white wines

The ‘Golden Triangle’ area of the Algarve is blessed with many top class international restaurants, some even having coveted Michelin stars. You are most certainly spoilt for choice with the range of restaurants available in the Algarve, something for everyone’s taste and pocket.

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