10 Best Local Restaurants in Faro

O Ramos is a great local restaurant to start your gastronomic journey in Faro, especially if you’re arriving at Faro’s airport just in time for lunch or dinner. You will be only a short 15-minute walk or 5-minute drive away from tasting some of the best-grilled fish dishes in town.  

Ramos has a large dining room and a covered terrace that you can enjoy all year round. The aesthetic and the service are very simple and modest but you’re sure to find the true flavours of the Algarve region, with incredibly fresh fish grilled to perfection. Try the grilled golden fish – or another fish of your choice – served with baked potatoes and a refreshing traditional tomato salad, salada montanheira. If you’re not a seafood lover, you’ll still find great meat options on the menu.

Tasca do João is all about showcasing the regional products and flavours in a tapas-style menu. Located in a quiet square in downtown Faro, the restaurant has a discrete entrance that hides an amazing interior, with a cosy and intimate atmosphere. The décor is very well thought out with plenty of traditional-style furniture resembling an authentic Portuguese home, but with a modern twist and eye-catching pops of colour.

Make sure you go in with an empty stomach and a large appetite because there are almost 30 tasty options to try on the menu. You will not be disappointed with the octopus salad, the mackerel toast or the black pork strips with garlic, just to name a few.  You’ll also find an exceptional wine list with some of the best Portuguese wines.

Os Manos is a local favourite in Faro for its fish and meat grilled on charcoal dishes. The restaurant is away from the city centre, but well worth the trip. Due to its location, the restaurant is usually not crowded with tourists and is a great spot to enjoy an authentic Portuguese dining experience.

The star of the menu is the fish mix, an “all you can eat” option where you can try the different fish available on that day. The fish is grilled and served straight to your table by the cook himself still sizzling. The restaurant is very close to the airport so you might want to stop by on your way for a comforting meal before or after travelling.

O Alminhas has a lot to offer food-wise and you will hardly find a more authentic Portuguese spot than this. Don't be deceived by the modest look and the sign at the entrance saying O Alminhas – Snack Bar and Take Away. The host is well known for his fun and entertaining reception and the place is frequented mostly by local people.

At O Alminhas you can find a variety of grilled fish, such as sardines served with baked potatoes and tomato salad. You’ll also find several grilled meat options like steaks or pork chops, as well as other traditional Portuguese stews and soups. The taste is guaranteed and at very affordable prices. Located in the city centre, this is a place you don’t want to miss if you are looking for a truly local experience.

Cidade Velha is the place to go for some local food and much-needed rest, after exploring Faro’s charming Old Town. Set right next to the city’s main cathedral, this restaurant is a calm, modern and welcoming place to try some of the region’s best flavours alongside some international cuisine options.

Faro’s traditional food revolves a lot around seafood, mainly fish, shellfish and molluscs, and Cidade Velha is no exception when it comes to showcasing the region’s best products. Try the seafood rice with lobster, fried shrimp with garlic or a fish cataplana (fish casserole dish) and you’ll understand what we are talking about. The many steak options and the pork loin won’t also disappoint meat lovers.

Restaurante XIC is a traditional Portuguese cuisine restaurant and a local favourite in Faro’s city centre. Although it has many fish and meat options, packed full of regional products and flavour, this restaurant is famous for its francesinha, a meat sandwich stuffed with fresh sausage, ham, steak or roasted meat and covered with gooey melted cheese, a fried egg and hot and spicy tomato sauce. While originally from the North, the francesinha is loved throughout Portugal and locals say that XIC has the best one in Faro. There’s also a tuna and vegetarian option if you don’t fancy the original meat option.

Try and save some room (not easy, but possible) and taste one of the many traditional Portuguese desserts the restaurant has to offer, like the bolo de bolacha (a traditional wafer cake) or farófias com ovos moles (similar to a meringue with a sweet egg cream).

Tertulia Algarvia is discreetly inserted in a sunny square in the old town. It doesn't only serve delicious traditional dishes made with regional products but also teaches how to make them and even sells them in its own store. This restaurant, café, and shop offers workshops, exhibitions, performances and more – always focused on promoting Algarve´s culture and traditions.

Sit outside enjoying the sun or head up the spiral stairs that lead to the restaurant to enjoy local specialities such as octopus cataplana (a traditional casserole dish), mackerel fillets with Mediterranean spices or a variety of molluscs from the Ria Formosa. There are also excellent meat and vegetarian options to try if you’re not in the mood for fish.

Álef Burger Bar is a great local spot in Faro when you want to take a break from traditional cuisine and eat a juicy, tasty burger. This burger bar is small and cosy, with modern and simple décor, but it’s never too crowded and noisy. The menu is not extensive but includes several hamburgers and a vegetarian burger option, all served with irresistible crispy chips. It’s popular with Faro locals for a hearty meal.

Despite being located in downtown Faro and very well known, this restaurant is set in a very narrow street where it easily goes unnoticed. Keep your eyes open because you will not regret finding this place.