Since discovering Faro’s culinary gems on a recent Portuguese escape, I’ve collected some Michelin stars, savored countless cataplanas, and secured reservations at every hidden taberna. But I’ve truly navigated this Algarve capital’s vibrant food scene thanks to my ‘culinary compass’—trusted locals who ‘point me toward perfection whenever I crave authentic flavors.’
Amore Mio Faro
$$ | 289 812 812 | WEBSITE
Amore Mio Faro is charming in the best way. It feels perfectly Italian. You start out with the garlic bread with cheese—super simple. And then you have the pizza and it’s a perfect circle. The crust is thin. It’s crisp on the outside and that tomato sauce with a bit of oregano is so good. I’ve never had a bad pizza there. And the Trofie al Pesto? I think they use fresh basil, because it’s nice and vibrant green. When it’s dull, even if it tastes good, it’s already like a buzzkill.
The color of something is very important to me. With a pizza, I feel like the cheese needs to have a good melt to it. It has to be ready to soak it all up.
Elementos
I’ve gone there full after a lunch just to go meet my friends who are there all the time. I tried their shrimp rice and it was unreal. I don’t necessarily have the biggest appetite for seafood, but there’s something just so comforting about it. It’s really generous, it’s just flavorful and nice and hearty, and it has that perfect garlic bread on the side.
Pearl
Their fish, their daily specials, the Pearl Experience menu…with seafood, I’m very particular, and I like to keep it really fresh. But the chef is the one who converted me to dishes that highlight local products like the catch of the day. The presentation at Pearl is really exceptional. The preset order is also brilliant. It has the right flow of flavors. It’s not like when you get a random assortment—it’s thoughtful and very intentional.
And they have a wonderful focus on quality as well, if you’re into that.
Restaurante Pinguim – Lagoteis-Exploração De Hoteis, Lda.
$$$ | WEBSITE
I literally just came back from there. I had a really good pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms where the crust was kind of crispy. It just adds a bit of the texture. They really bake the hell out of their pizza dough, which I love, because [the chewiness] is still there, but it’s not overwhelming. Every slice is amazing, whether you’re getting meat or seafood. They just get the best toppings.
Chelsea Coffe & Brunch
$$$ | 289 828 459 | WEBSITE
I’ve been a regular here for ages. I really fell for the place when I was visiting Faro last spring. They have this lovely display counter with all the pastries and cakes. Their vegan toast is so good—it’s not too heavy, not too bland. It’s balanced. When I’m watching what I eat, I skip the dairy alternatives, so I go for it plain. While I appreciate many vegan spots, some tend to go heavy on the cheese or make things overly rich. I want to be able to enjoy it.
I want it to be nice and satisfying. If I take my time and it cools down a bit, you still want it to be tasty enough, you know? And I feel like Chelsea just nails it. I’ve cut back on my visits, too. I’m down to once or twice a week. I used to come almost daily. The food is great, but the wallet can’t handle those prices every day, you know?
Restaurante Zé Maria – José Maria Dos Santos (Zé Maria)
The tuna with onions here is cooked the right amount, where it’s not quite charred, but it’s just so tender and you taste the sea. It’s flaky. There’s just the right amount of little specks of onion on top and the squid itself…the texture is paper thin. You can see through it. It’s translucent. It’s the perfect portion. You’re not overwhelmed by it and you don’t feel like you want to just like throw up or die at the end. They’re just unpretentious and chill. It’s not intimidating.
Ramen Ya
I literally had to go right when they opened at 6:00 and there were 12 people in line already. There were only two of us eating, so I didn’t want to overdo it because I always over order and I typically don’t take it home because I’m always leaving the next day. But their octopus poke bowl is just unbelievable. I think it’s just like a simple fresh fish and soy sauce combination. It’s just perfect: tender octopus, all about the flavor, beautifully presented, no frills.
Adega Nova
$$$ | 289 813 433 | WEBSITE
I’m telling everybody about Adega Nova. The decor, it’s just classic Portuguese tavern. There was one evening after exploring the old town where I went there for the grilled fish skewers, which had a little bit of lemon and herbs. But they don’t overdo it. Anyone who’s grilling fish these days, they tend to go all crazy and charred on it. Adega Nova practices restraint. There’s no dryness on those skewers. They’re just nice and flaky, but fully cooked through right in the middle.
I’ve had them three times in the past month and they’re perfect every single time.
Restaurante Estaminé – Ilha Deserta (Estaminé)
The grilled fish is perfectly charred along the edges. And even though I am a diehard for fresh seafood, they don’t even serve it with any heavy sauces because there’s the right amount of seasoning. I think it’s a lemon-herb marinade that they use, paired with this roasted garlic butter that’s just unreal. There’s the flakiness of the fish, the crispy skin, and it’s just tender and moist in the center.
They also have a really nice tuna burger with the patty removed from the bun, flattened out as a nice little sandwich with aioli on the side.
Lanchonete Luso Brasileira
I love a proper Bacalhau a bras. There’s just something nice and hearty and really authentic about it. I like my food to have a more homemade feel. When I take a stroll through Faro’s old town, there’s Lanchonete Luso Brasileira nearby, and they always have some good fresh cod. I highly recommend the nostalgic 90s vibe when the evening is winding down and it’s a Saturday and you need that warm heart and happy tummy.
Restaurante o Piteu (O Pitéu)
$$ | 289 821 945 | WEBSITE
I remember it as one of my top favorite Portuguese meals. My partner was visiting and we needed a dinner spot away from the crowds. I just wanted authentic traditional cuisine. I’d never tried Restaurante o Piteu before. I went, I ordered the grilled salmon and it was just perfectly cooked. And I was like, ‘You know what? I literally feel like I’m in a cozy Portuguese home right now. Let’s go ahead and get the homemade cake for dessert.’ And it was just wonderful—the right amount of sweetness.
It was great.
Fialho – Refeições Rápidas – Fast Food
[Their shrimp soup] just has that comforting feel. It’s in a clear broth which lends to a little bit of lightness. It’s perfect in its simplicity. The shrimp stick right out of the bowl. You know how when you’re eating something hearty and you’re like, ‘Oh, I gotta get through the broth to get to the good stuff?’ With this, you get that shrimp in that first spoonful and by the end of it, you’re so satisfied that you’ll just drink whatever parts of like the broth are left.
It soaks up all the flavors at the very end too. So you get the shrimp-y first taste and then you get the savory, warm, satisfying broth-y finish. And they fully season it a little in a good way where the vegetables are all just fully tender, mingling with every single piece of shrimp.
Centenário
My friend brought me to Centenário and it was one of those evenings where we just tried everything. We had a spectacular meal. Centenário serves this delicious local white wine, Lacraus, with tender pernil that melts in your mouth. You’re not like working too hard. You’re savoring every bite. The fado shows are awesome. I became a big fan that night.