Don’t worry, you’ll get used to everyone who’s not from Faro saying, “Oh, the Algarve. I think my cousin went there,” when you tell them you’re visiting. In the meantime, you’re lucky to be in a place that’s in the heart of Portugal’s sunny coast. Bar-wise, that means you’re surrounded by some great options. When you’re sick of the same touristy sangria, check out one of the spots below.
Dream bar
A short walk from the marina is Dream Bar, another spot where you can have a great night without spending a fortune. It’s a Brazilian bar that serves tasty snacks like coxinha and empada, one of which is a really good coxinha that uses both chicken and cream cheese. But their live music with local bands may be our favorite thing in the place, since it covers you for entertainment, too.
New Delhi Indian Tandoor Restaurant
New Delhi Indian Tandoor Restaurant is one of the most popular Indian spots in Faro. You’re fortunate enough to have a schedule that frequently leaves you with nothing to do at 3pm except watch reruns of Law & Order, so you should take advantage of that and head here off-hours for some great curry.
Grab a seat in the dining room that feels more like a cozy lounge, start with an order of the chicken curry and the prawn curry with dipping sauces for the naan bread, and see why there’s really nothing not to like about this place.
LAB Terrace – Sunset Bar
If you want ocean views but are stuck with friends who prefer indoor spots, take them to LAB Terrace (or get new friends). This is a really welcoming, fun rooftop bar that serves things like the sangria, which is the gateway to their cocktails. Even if you can’t get them to try those, this place is one of the most relaxing spots in Faro – with good drinks, seats overlooking the water that’s perfect at sunset, and a vintage music vibe with attentive bartenders who sing along.
Columbus (Columbus Culinary Bar)
$$ | 917 776 222 | WEBSITE
Exceptional cocktails for under $14 are as essential to a night out as good company, great music, and a welcoming atmosphere. Columbus Culinary Bar is a relaxed spot where you can enjoy creative drinks and tasty bar food every evening. You can’t go wrong with the Asia Mojito, but we prefer the Bomerang, and we almost always finish with the Cheese Sausage Plate.
Old Tavern
Old Tavern is one of the most charming spots in Faro’s old town. As a result, if you come here for a late lunch it’ll seem to be filled entirely with locals and travelers sharing plates of seafood in the sun-drenched square. But you should keep this Portuguese tavern type place in mind for just about any occasion. It has some of the best grilled octopus in the city, and the cozy interior that’s separate from the outdoor seating is a great place to have a few early-in-the-evening beers.
Rrudy’s
You’ve probably noticed that Faro is on a lagoon (if not, consider taking a geography class). As a result, we do snack bars just about better than anything else. A lot of our best snack bars are touristy and crowded, though, which is why you’re really lucky to be so close to Rrudy’s. This place makes some seriously great things like shrimp tostadas and English breakfast, and does it fast-casual style.
All you have to do is order at the counter, take a seat with that nice lagoon and city view, and enjoy their burger with fries, the first bite of which may turn out to be a formative life experience.
19th Hole
$$ | 289 301 113 | WEBSITE
When you’re looking for a spot to unwind with friends after a long week, head to 19th Hole in Faro. The Guinness at this lively bar is a highlight (pints run about €6) and it’s one of the best pours in town, with a creamy head that holds up and a rich, malty flavor that hits just right. If you want to keep things more casual, you can grab some decent bar food while catching a game, along with some friendly banter from the regulars, too.
Expresso
Anyone who remembers the old station kiosk might hesitate to give this spot a try, since it took over that cramped space where you’d grab a quick coffee before catching your train. But if you’re going to replace a functional transit stop, it might as well become a genuinely pleasant little bar-restaurant. This place is a cozy nook that serves very good, affordable food for lunch, dinner, and late-afternoon snacks, while the cool, delicious beer is ideal for passing the time between departures.
The food is consistently satisfying, and with €4 pints and a simple but reliable selection, the drinks definitely hit the spot.
Naufrágio
If your idea of a good time is a plastic cup on the beach, then it’s time to elevate your standards. Naufrágio, a laid-back spot with both weathered wood and panoramic ocean views is the perfect place to do just that. Come here for some truly excellent sangria and a selection of tasty sandwiches that’s satisfying enough to enjoy even if you forgot your sunglasses.
Elementos
All that complaining your foodie friends are going to do about authentic Portuguese cuisine? You can triple that for your Lisbon-based acquaintances when it comes to seafood rice. According to them, there is nothing outside the Algarve that should legitimately be allowed to call itself shrimp rice. Ignore them at Elementos, where you can get generous, flavorful Portuguese dishes for quite reasonable prices (most main plates hover around €15-€20).
Our standout dish is the shrimp rice, which comes packed with fresh shrimp underneath, and we love enjoying it on the accessible patio with that easier parking out front.
Varandas Bar
If you’ve ever been paralyzed by the choice of what cocktail to order at a top-tier bar, gather some companions and make your way to Varandas Bar in Faro. All the drinks here are crafted with such originality and adaptability that you don’t have to choose between the classic martini and the signature house creation—you can sample nearly every one. We highly recommend doing that when the evening is still balmy, so you can settle into the very pleasant and confidential rooftop terrace.
But even when the weather turns, this place remains a fantastic destination, largely because the romantic atmosphere feels like one of those cozy European retreats you’d read about in a travel magazine.
Bilhares 2K
Research shows that friendly competition boosts mood, social bonding, and coordination.* With that in mind, Bilhares 2K should be where you go for a casual hangout. This cozy pool hall is set up like the game room of a fun-loving local (think well-maintained tables and lively background music) and can get quite packed.
Snag a spot at one of the pool tables or try darts while waiting, order a drink from their affordable selection, and use the magic of friendly games to connect with friends old and new.
Baixaria Bar
Your friends from Portugal might endlessly complain that there’s no good nightlife in Faro. Let them do it – complaining about dull bars is a crucial part of forging your identity on vacation. But while they’re busy ranting about quiet spots, head to Baixaria Bar. It’s a great casual spot for getting your hands really messy and downing some sandwiches. Believe it or not, the passion fruit caipirinha is actually the best thing on the menu, so don’t miss out on a glass of that.
La Bodeguita Del Medio
La Bodeguita Del Medio is a lively Cuban bar and cafe with some of the best street food around Faro. You’re going to want to soak up the vibrant atmosphere, so either come early or when you’re ready to mingle with the crowd. It’s fun, it has great mojitos, and it kind of looks like a Havana alleyway owned by a wildly successful musician, so come here, start with the bifana on baguette with hot batata fritas, and have a good time.
Sunset Bar
Looking for a bar restaurant that disappoints is easy, but you’re basically guaranteed a solid evening at Sunset Bar. That’s because you get excellent mixed toast made with fresh ingredients for around $12 alongside live performances. If you can’t make it at night because that’s when you catch up on your favorite shows, they have great atmosphere during the day too, and you can always count on it for shrimp salad or burgers that are so satisfying you’ll be thinking about them the next day.