Feasting In Faro: A Foodie’s Restaurant Guide

From the quaint old town to the fascinating collections of the archaeological museum, Faro has a lot to offer the discerning holidaymaker. Often overlooked, however, is the city’s burgeoning reputation as something of a foodie’s paradise, with restaurants offering some of the region’s finest seafood. What’s more, with Faro’s growing popularity as a destination in its own right, you can now sample its delights with minimum hassle. From frequent and inexpensive flights to a choice of easily pre-booked Faro airport transfers, there has never been a better time to get a taste of the real Algarve.

Here are our top tips: four restaurants that are off the tourist trail, and positively brimming with culinary delights.

República Restaurant

Dinner at República is like dinner in your grandmother’s front room, if your grandmother could rustle up Faro’s finest fig tartlets and expertly grill squid. This snug cantina is centrally located near the marina, making dinner here the perfect end to a long day of sightseeing. República seats just 24, so be sure to book in advance, and prepare to settle in for an evening of hearty traditional food accompanied by an affordable selection of Portugal’s finest wines.

Le Marquis

If you are willing to stray a little further from the beaten track, Le Marquis is well worth the extra effort. Situated just north of Faro in a sprawling farmhouse, the restaurant combines high quality food with captivating views of the surrounding countryside from the charming terrace. Play it safe with classics like venison fillet, or for a more exotic treat, try the oxtail-stuffed squid.

Adega Nova

Situated close to the Maritime Museum in an old tiling warehouse, the quirky decorations lend this restaurant a rustic atmosphere, while the seasonal menu ensures a fresh take on traditional cuisine. From monkfish rice to garlic calamari, there are many popular choices to satisfy your seafood cravings. For something a little unique, be sure to check out the regional specials, many of which you would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the city.

Faz Gostos

For a luxury finale to your culinary exploration of Faro, head to Faz Gostos. Since opening in 2009 it has repeatedly expanded due to popular demand, all without sacrificing a crumb of quality. The elegant surroundings provide an apt backdrop to the creations of head chef Duval Pestana, who reimagines traditional ingredients in novel pairings. The oven-baked salted codfish with scallops, in particular, is not to be missed; and your waiter is sure to provide the perfect recommendation for an accompanying tipple from their extensive wine list.

How to Get There

Arguably one of the easiest European cities for enthusiastic foodies to get to, Faro is now served by several major airlines throughout the year. Although many flights to the city are operated by low cost companies, don’t be put off if you prefer to start your holiday in style: there are options available for every budget. After you land, I would recommend looking into pre-booked Faro airport transfers to get you to your hotel, so you can be met at the arrivals gate and have the luggage taken care of. By making use of Faro airport transfers, you can also side-step many of your fellow passengers who will be making a beeline for the all-inclusive resorts down the coast.

Author Plate

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct, the number one provider of shared and private airport transfers all over Europe and northern Africa. If you’re looking for the most convenient and affordable Faro airport transfers, Lukas and his colleagues can make sure that you and your luggage get to and from the airport swiftly and safely.