Best Restaurants in Faro, Portugal august 22, 2024 – Posted in: Portugal, Travel – Tags: Algarve, Faro, Food, Holiday, Portugal, Restaurants, Vacation
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Where to Eat in Faro: Top Picks for Foodies
Looking for great restaurants in Faro? This charming city on Portugal’s Algarve coast offers not just fantastic beaches and cultural sights but also exceptional dining experiences. From cozy bars and cafes along the waterfront to hidden gems in the winding streets, there are plenty of places to delight your taste buds.
In Faro, you can enjoy everything from traditional Portuguese dishes to international gourmet experiences. With its location right by the Atlantic Ocean, you can indulge in fresh fish, seafood, and shellfish. If seafood isn’t your thing, there are also many other culinary delights to explore.
Most restaurants and cafes are located around the harbor and in the nearby pedestrian streets, making them easy to find. While some places may close and others may open, we’ve put together a list of great dining options in Faro.
What Do We Like to Eat?
Before we dive into our recommendations, here’s a bit about what we look for in a restaurant. Dining out is a major part of our vacations. We don’t necessarily eat expensively, but we always eat locally and focus on regional ingredients. We’re also on the hunt for exceptional food experiences and prefer trying something new. So, keep this in mind when deciding whether to follow our recommendations.
Let’s sit down and enjoy the culinary delights!
3 Great Restaurants in Faro
Demo – Padaria Urbana
The long restaurant street, Rua Conselheiro Bivar, stretches from the harbor through the city, with restaurants lined up side by side. No matter where you decide to dine during your Faro vacation, you’re sure to find a great spot on this street!
Closest to the harbor is Demo, a cozy sandwich bar perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a light evening snack. At Demo, you can enjoy fresh bread, sandwiches, and delicious cakes while soaking up the charming street atmosphere.
Sāo Pedro Pinseria Romana
At the end of the street and a bit to the right is the trendy pizza bar Sāo Pedro. Instead of traditional pizza, they serve pinsa, a variation of thin Roman pizza. The pinsa dough is made from soy flour, rice flour, and wheat, offering a slightly healthier option.
Aside from the unique twist, the pinsas at Sāo Pedro were outstanding – crispy with exquisite local toppings. The restaurant’s quirky and charming decor is also a delight to the eye.
Moinhos do Grelha
The next spot may not immediately look like a place for exceptional dining, but don’t be fooled! At Moinhos do Grelha, the food is incredibly fresh, straight from the Atlantic Ocean. The fish is so fresh it practically curves, and you can smell the grilled delicacies from afar as you approach.
The restaurant is as local as it gets, and don’t expect top-notch service. However, it’s a cozy spot. NB! Cash only.
…and a Great Spot for Dessert!
In Faro, they excel at making delicious cakes! If you haven’t tried the famous Pastel de nata yet, you must. This delightful Portuguese pastry is known for its crispy puff pastry shell and rich vanilla custard with a caramelized top.
One of the best places in Faro to enjoy a Pastel de nata is the cozy patisserie Cherry located in the charming pedestrian streets. We’ve had many cakes here while waiting for our guests during our extended stay in Spain! Prices are reasonable, and the coffee and cakes are excellent, served by the sweetest staff.
At Chelsea Coffee & Brunch, the cake experience is even more delightful with some amazing creations. How about a three-layer Tiramisu cake or a crisp Pavlova meringue nest filled with caramel, lemon, and chocolate? NB! Cash only.
Where to Stay in Faro?
Whether you’re spending a vacation in Faro or just passing through on your way further along the Algarve coast, it’s good to know about the top hotels in Faro. We stayed at two hotels right by the waterfront and marina: Hotel EVA Senses and Hotel Faro & Beach Club. Both offer a vibrant city atmosphere throughout the day and are very close to the marina and pedestrian streets where all the action happens. Both hotels are a 5-10 minute walk from the Faro train and bus stations.
Hotel EVA Senses
Hotel EVA Senses stands prominently above the marina and lively waterfront with its many bars and cafes. Here, you’ll be right in the heart of the city, just a few minutes’ walk from the pedestrian streets and museums. And don’t miss the hotel’s infinity pool on the roof! Relax with a cocktail on the rooftop terrace while enjoying the stunning views over the Ria Formosa lagoon.
And get ready to enjoy breakfast! The breakfast buffet stretches endlessly through the room, and from the large, beautiful space, you’ll also have the most fantastic view, complemented by popular melodies from the pianist at the grand piano. It’s so delightful that you might just have room for one more Pastel de nata!
Hotel Faro & Beach Club
Just across from the waterfront and still offering splendid views over the lagoon is Hotel Faro & Beach Club. The beautifully light rooms are newly decorated in a modern style, and during our stay in 2024, there was no noise from the street. Like Hotel EVA, the breakfast here is also excellent – with everything you could wish for, including freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, and small cakes. However, Hotel Faro has one advantage over Hotel EVA: from the bar on the rooftop terrace, you can look directly into the stork nest where the stork mother was tending her chicks when we visited!
If you’re not into the large rooftop pool or spa facilities, the hotel also offers a shuttle service to their beach club during the summer season.
Which Hotel Should You Choose?
We will definitely return to the Algarve coast and look forward to visiting Faro again. Whether we stay at Hotel EVA Senses or Hotel Faro & Beach Club next time is secondary, as both hotels offer excellent standards, breakfast, and locations.
There are many other great hotels in Faro, which you can explore by clicking here: hotels in Faro. You can also conduct your own search for hotels in Faro right here: