Eating out in the Algarve holds a prominent position in Portuguese life and is the only way to truly discover the extent of the region's culinary range.
Food in the Algarve can be seen to reflect the heritage of this fantastic region, always full of flavour and richly prepared, and with roots dating back to a world long since gone.
The food in the restaurants is always of the highest quality and is based on fresh, local produce.
In a land of fisherman, fish and shellfish play perhaps the leading role in the kitchen. Sardines and salad is a very popular dish in the Algarve, but don't be afraid to order some of the more interesting and exotic sea-food dishes that are on offer - bass, bream, swordfish, lobsters & prawns are all widely available.
In many cases, the best recipes are those that have evolved over time, with the fisherman perfecting the art of sealing in all the wonderful natural flavours by slow charcoal grilling.
If seafood isn't quite your thing, then you'll find a huge array of pork and chicken dishes. The Portuguese eat pork in all of its different forms, from whole roast suckling pig to trotters with coriander.
The local agriculture of the region contributes a lot to the cuisine, with wonderful dishes based on the wild herbs and plants, and the meats from the hillside pastureland.
The Algarve's most innovative dish is 'Ameijoas na Cataplana', baby clams with sausage, ham, onion, tomato, garlic, paprika and white wine, cooked and served in a sort of pressure cooker called a 'Cataplana'. A Cataplana is a copper utensil, Islamic in origin, and is particularly effective in preserving delicate flavours.
Chicken Piri-Piri is another world-famous Portuguese dish. The sauce is made from chilli peppers and ranges from mild and tangy, to very hot and spicy (beware if you opt for the hottest piri piri dish they can be very very hot, my best man actually turned red in the face for 2 whole days !)
Most meals are accompanied by country bread, black olives, and small tins of sardine pate. If like us you enjoy the wonderful rustic bread and pate as much as the meal don't be afraid to ask for more. Portugese waiters are usually very accomodating and will try meet any request with a desire to ensure your meal is a memorable one and hopefully return for another visit.
Now internationally famous, the cakes and desserts are the sweetest of delights! There is no resisting the divinely produced specialities featuring their lavish dash of sugar, eggs, almonds and locally grown fruits.
Don't forget, Portugal is also famous for it's Vinho Verde (green wine although it's not actually green !) and superb rose and never forgetting the wonderfully robust red, as well as the distilled spirit known as 'Aguardente de Medronho' and many fruit liquers. For those that enjoy a beer with lunch, the Portugese Sagres and Super Bock are both very drinkable and often served in iced glasses. In the home of Port wine, why not complete your meal with a glass or two and local cheeses.
Resturants & Bars we have tried and return to as often as possible.
(please remember that the Portugese Police do not tolerate drink driving, cabs are readily available and are reasonably priced)