Ramires, the no-frills Portuguese chicken restaurant in Guia, close to Albufeira, claims to be the ‘The Original’ Chicken Piri-Piri restaurant – chicken well seasoned with hot pepper sauce and grilled over charcoal “until forms a crisp skin with unmistakable flavour” – whether or not it is where the dish originated, it’s absolutely delicious.
Having started out as a small café, opened by José Carlos Ramires in 1964, it’s popularity called for expansion over the years and it now takes up three floors.
Always busy but tables become available quickly, so no need to book. Open lunch times and evenings.
Address: Rua 25 de Abril 14, 8200-433 Guia, Portugal
Phone: +351 289 561 232
A family favourite restaurant serving typical Portuguese cuisine in Vale Fuzeiros, in between Silves and Messines.
Here you can get a fabulous ‘Prato do Dia’ – dish of the day – for lunch, but be early! The best lunch restaurants start filling up at 12 and dishes may run out if you arrive too late!
Daily specials are written on the board and cost between €8.50 – €12.00 per person for soup, main meal, water, a small jug of wine and pudding! Evening menu is A La Carte.
The restaurant’s proximity to the the Barragem do Arade (the dam for the river Arade) makes it ideal for a good lunch after a morning out exploring, or a fine spot to feast before heading to the lookout/picnic spot at the dam to have a lazy afternoon and enjoy the scenery.
Address: Vale Fuzeiros, 8375-082 Silves, Portugal
Phone: +351 282 332 277
Veneza, Paderne – A typical Portuguese restaurant with it award-winning 50,000 bottle wine cellar.
The port and wine collection is nothing short of extraordinary and the friendly team, who love to make you feel at home in this cosy and informal setting, take great care to welcome you. They’ll also be very happy to help you find wines to suit your taste and can arrange to have your purchases delivered anywhere in Europe. Closed all day Tuesday and Wednesday lunch time.
Address: Estrada de Paderne, 8200-488 Albufeira, Portugal
Phone: +351 289 367 129
Well known as the ‘best fish restaurant in the Algarve’, this restaurant, specialising in seafood, is our favourite within walking distance of Pine Cliffs Apartment.
With indoor and outdoor dining areas, a pleasant garden and a children’s playground, and a warm welcome, A Lagosteira serve food from mid-morning until midnight and specialities include shellfish rice, grilled prawns, fresh grilled fish, Algarve’s typical cataplana, and a seafood special – à Lagosteira for 2 to share.
They also have a rather good choice of steaks from the Portuguese-style bife à casa to a Chateaubriand, and a fabulous selection of wines to complete their “appetising culinary panorama”.
Address: Rua da Lagosteira Açoteias, Olhos de Água, 8200-252 Albufeira
Phone: +351 289 501 679
La Cigale overlooks the Atlantic ocean with a lovely large outdoor terrace for sunny days. A firm favourite with me as I love to walk along the cliffs from Pine Cliffs to Olhas D’Agua, a typical Algarve fishing village, for La Cigale’s “Prato do Dia”, a choice of either sardines, mackerel of chicken peri peri for €10. An à la carte menu is available.
Open every day from 10:30am -11pm
Address: Rua 25 de Abril, 8200 Albufeira
Phone: +351 289 501 637
Explore the historical town of Silves, famous for it Moorish castle. Enjoy the best seafood on the Algarve. Restaurante Marisqueira Rui is usually full of locals and tourists. Very attentive and friendly and knowledgeable staff. Fabulous choice from pricey lobster to humble fish soup.
Address: R. Comendador Vilarinho 27, 8300-117 Silves, Portugal
Phone: +351 282 442 682
Supper clubs and cookery classes at Algarve Mimo Cookery School are perfect for making new friends. Tasty Portuguese cooking made with fresh vegetables and fish from the local markets.
Address: Pine Cliffs Resort Praia Da Falesia, 8200-909 Albufeira, Portugal
Phone: +351 300 509 188
Cheryl’s Top Tips for Algarve Restaurants
Bread and Olives Not On the House
In Portuguese restaurants it’s traditional to bring ‘petiscos’ (bread, olives, cheese) to the table, to accompany drinks or for diners to nibble on as they await their meal.
Please note: Petiscos are not free. If you don’t want them you must make it clear to waiting staff and ask them to take them away.
And please rest assured, the proprietors are not trying to ‘rip you off’. Serving petiscos is a Portuguese custom and all part of the leisurely culinary experience.
Pine Cliffs Apartment
Experience luxury and leisure at Pine Cliffs Apartment, our modern, spacious one bedroom accommodation within the award-winning 5-star beachfront Pine Cliffs Resort.
With access to all resort facilities, including spa, golf, tennis, heated indoor and outdoor pools, gym and wellness centre, Pine Cliffs Apartment is the ideal getaway for golf in the sun, a stroll on the beach, pool relaxation, spa indulgence, a romantic escape or family-friendly fun.
Ready to experience Portuguese cuisine? Pine Cliffs Apartment is the perfect place to stay