This post is also available in:
Latest update: 21 May 2024
Eating in Faro is a feast. The city has cozy cafes, trendy restaurants, and authentic taverns where you can enjoy the best Portuguese dishes and international cuisines. This blog lists my favorite breakfast and dinner spots in Faro..
Breakfast tips in Faro
If you sleep in Lemon Tree Stay, a delicious breakfast is included. You get a plate full of delicacies, an egg – just the way you want it -, yogurt, cake, and a friendly dog. But, if breakfast is not included at your hotel, you can have breakfast the way the Portuguese do: get a coffee and a pastel de nata. I was told you get the best pastel de nata’s at O Seu Café (Google Maps location). But apparently, more people know about that insider’s tip because they are all gone when I order. Such a shame.
Lisbonense
If you miss out on the pastel de nata from O Seu Café, luckily, there is a bakery on the corner. At Lisbonense (Google Maps location), you can go for a pastel de nata at the strangest times and for bread, cake, and toasted sandwiches. Usually open until noon and then again in the evening at 11 pm, sometimes until 5 am!
Chelsea Coffee & Brunch
Does a coffee and pastel de nata breakfast sound like not enough? Then I’ll send you to Chelsea Coffee & Brunch (Google Maps location). They have an extensive breakfast menu starting from 8 am. Come early because many people come here for breakfast in Faro. The bowl is tasty, the eggs benedict is good, and they have beautiful cakes here – they look so good. The coffee is meh, like so many places in Portugal.
Tip! What can you do between meals? Check out my blog about the sights of Faro.
Restaurants in Faro for later in the day
A Venda
A Venda is a nice low-key restaurant in Faro. There are a few wooden tables outside. Sometimes just for your company, sometimes you join other diners. Inside, there are enough trinkets to fill an episode of Antiques Roadshow. The service staff is friendly and relaxed, but they should pay a little more attention to the diners – they could have sold me way more drinks. At A Venda, they serve dishes to share. No Instagram-worthy dishes, just good food. I recommend the lamb and grilled pumpkin!
Columbus Culinary Bar
I saw a very enthusiastic Google review about a cheese and charcuterie platter at Columbus Culinary Bar. I thought that was perfect for the end of the afternoon. But that platter had now disappeared from the menu, so I ordered some smaller dishes from the lunch and dinner menu. I wasn’t disappointed though, because Columbus Culinary Bar has an exciting cuisine with interesting flavor combinations. And a VERY extensive cocktail menu. So much choice!
Old Tavern
In the old center of Faro, there are three restaurants on a small square, and Old Tavern is clearly the most popular. There’s a good chance you’ll have to wait a while for a spot here. But it’s worth the wait. The service is friendly, and you can eat local tapas. I wanted the flaming chorizo (served burning!), but the people next to us had just claimed the last one. The alternative of sausage and bread (Migas de Alheira) also tasted surprisingly good. You end the meal with a shot of Portuguese Viagra: a homemade mix of brandy and two types of liqueur.
Alameda
I haven’t tried this one, but I really wanted to go here. I happened to be in Faro on the days the restaurant was closed. So I’ll leave this one for you to try out: Alameda restaurant (Google Maps location). Judging from the photos, the food is delicious.
More Portugal inspiration?
Useful links for your Portugal trip
- Accommodation. All-time favorites: Booking.com and Campspace. Would you rather stay in a hostel? Check Hostelworld.
- Activities. You book the best tours and activities with GetYourGuide and Viator. Try WithLocals for experiences with Portuguese locals. Book your ‘free’ walking tours with Freetour.com or GuruWalks, and try bike tours with Baja Bikes.
- Attractions and museums. Interested in a 5% discount on museums and other attractions? Use this discount code at Tiqets: KIMOPREIS22
- Car rental. If you want to compare prices, check out Discover Cars or Rental Cars.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Be sure to check out Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Guidebooks. I love paper guidebooks to flip through. Buy them at Amazon.
- Money. Your debit and credit cards may not get accepted everywhere. You could opt for a Revolut card as an additional card when you travel.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Maybe Expedia or CheapOair has a good option.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high calling and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Train and Bus Travel to Portugal with Busbud. And reserve buses and trains on the go with 12Go or Omio.
- Yoga retreat. Or maybe treat yourself to a yoga retreat in Portugal.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy something through these links, I might receive a small commission.
Comments are closed.