How exactly do we evaluate Indian cuisine in a city where even the seagulls seem to crave a good curry? First, we eat a lot of dal. We revisit the classics, welcome the newcomers, and debate which spots truly transport you to the subcontinent. Taste in Indian food is deeply personal—find the restaurant that calls to you. Maybe it’s fiery Goan vindaloo, maybe it’s buttery chicken tikka masala, or maybe it’s our top pick.
Royal India
This is the definitive version of Royal India, and we know exactly why this place keeps drawing crowds. It’s serving the best Indian cuisine in Faro—and possibly the Algarve. Open seven days a week, Royal India is now in a warm, softly lit dining room in the heart of the city. Our go-to order is the saag paneer, but if you’re in the mood for something heartier, try the masala chai and dip torn-off pieces of naan into the rich and aromatic pool of sauce that forms around the paneer.
Since all the dishes have the same generous portions and high-quality ingredients, you can’t go wrong with whatever you order.
Restaurante Indian Hut 2
If you’re planning to dine at Restaurante Indian Hut 2 multiple times a week, that’s a perfectly reasonable plan, and we certainly won’t discourage you. Just ensure that one of those visits is when you’re particularly hungry. That’s when you should order the chicken tikka masala, a signature dish made with tender marinated chicken, a rich tomato-cream sauce, and a perfect blend of aromatic spices.
Like the rest of the offerings at this authentic Indian eatery, it comes in generous, satisfying portions that are beautifully presented. Pair it with some garlic naan, and savor every bite. The chicken jalfrezi is also excellent, with its vibrant peppers and onions in a tangy tomato sauce, and the overall value here is truly noteworthy. Restaurante Indian Hut 2 delivers top-class Indian food with brilliant, accommodating service that makes every meal memorable.
INDIAN HUT
$$ | 289 703 082 | WEBSITE
At this authentic Punjabi spot in Olhão, the curries are so aromatic and flavorful, we don’t recommend ordering them at anything less than medium strength. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just means you can savor more of that deliciously spiced sauce, which you will inevitably want to do. If you don’t live near the historic center, this friendly restaurant is worth the trip to the pedestrian street by the port. Try their lamb rogan josh at least once.
Namastey
We asked Gagan what makes his Indian food taste so authentic. He gave us a one-word answer: freshness. Operating for years in Faro, this lively restaurant is still serving simple, perfect Indian meals for a steady stream of customers. Stop by for the Tarka Dhal, or try to snag the curry with roti and rice fresh from the kitchen. The Ajwain lachha is crispy with a little bit of chew, the mango lassi is thick and not-too-sweet, and the generous portions are bright with flavor.
Grab a table in the bustling space so you can enjoy your meal as soon as it leaves the stove.
Restaurante Indian Tandori – Sandeep Kanojia
$$$ | WEBSITE
Restaurante Indian Tandori, which began as a modest family-run spot in Faro, now serves shamelessly flavorful Indian classics, with spices so vibrant and balanced that we’d happily finish the leftovers from a spice-averse diner’s plate. They don’t do small portions, which essentially encourages you to bring companions and share a feast in the cozy dining room. Things could be much better, but here they’re already excellent.
New Delhi Indian Tandoor Restaurant
New Delhi Indian Tandoor Restaurant sets the standard for authentic Indian cuisine in Faro, delivering the best Indian food by far the nicest ever tasted. Each spoonful of their delicious chicken curry simmers, then blooms, tasting more and more like the spices you’d find in a Delhi market thanks to traditional preparation. Generous dipping sauces and spot-on tandoor temperatures ensure the naan bread stays perfectly warm, while a stream of aromatic steam rises from the bowl.
The difference between this and most other Indian spots is that New Delhi prioritizes accommodating service and vegetarian options. Each dish comes with friendly staff attention and chatty hospitality, and highlights like lovely prawn curries, satisfying chicken curry, or flavorful naan. When it comes to the city’s most consistent Indian meal, this is simply the best.
The Piano Garden
$$ | WEBSITE
It’s almost impossible to resist the gravitational pull of The Piano Garden, both because of the cozy, thoughtfully decorated interior that wraps you in warmth, and because a Piano Garden vindaloo will make you want to investigate how lamb can taste so tender. Part of the reason the food is so good: The Piano Garden offers both Indian classics and thin-base pizzas that are highly praised. A jug of rad sangria complements the meal perfectly, with attentive staff ensuring every need is met.
Stick with the vindaloo or the thin-crust pizzas, as we’ve found the combination of both cuisines to be surprisingly harmonious, and you’re in for a great evening with delicious food and warm hospitality in Faro.
Maharaja Indian Restaurant
$$ | 289 842 474 | WEBSITE
You’ll want to make a reservation to secure a table at this family-owned spot in the Algarve mountains, but you can walk in for their exceptional lamb roganjosh and saag paneer anytime. The restaurant nails the authentic Indian flavors, but their signature fresh ingredients earn them our loyalty. The lamb roganjosh has a generous amount of warm spices, and we’d scoop anything with that creamy saag paneer just to savor more of it on our plates.
(Get a bowl of their well-seasoned soup.) Sometimes you’ll notice a bit of a wait, but if they’ve prepared a particularly enticing vegetarian option that day, we bet it’ll be worth it.
Taskinha Caseira
Taskinha Caseira is not just a classic Portuguese meal, but a classic Portuguese eatery as well. There are no pretensions. There’s no fusion menu. If you drop by for dinner, there won’t be a tourist crowd blocking the doorway. The Montenegro establishment sports a standard-issue blue-and-white tile façade, and it’s home to a perfect fish and chips with a light batter that mingles with fresh lemon wedges, becoming one. There are, however, some standout elements at work.
The fish is prepared daily—resulting in a flaky, tender fillet—and the sides range from crispy golden fries and house-made tartar sauce to warm, crusty bread served with olive oil.