As If Tourists Needed Another Reason, the Algarve Is Now a Food and Wine Oasis

The recent rise in visitors from further afield (remember when it felt like every American was heading to Portugal?) has moved developers to build the likes of grand resorts and pristine golf courses—add them to the litany of indulgences for which the region is beloved. Now with a vast and expanding inventory of resorts comes the gift of fine dining addresses, some of which have earned Michelin stars (Portugal received its own dedicated guide only in 2024, separated from the old Michelin Guide España & Portugal ).

In the last few years, the area has in addition welcomed hotspots that fit in between, like hip wine bars and modern bakeries that specialize in more than just flaky cups of pasteis de nata. Here’s what food and drink enthusiasts need to know about the Algarve, from the best bars to the best beaches. Courtesy of Austa and Daniel Schafer Where to Eat and Drink One of the most iconic restaurants in the area is Restaurante Noélia in the relaxed fishing village of Cabanas.

But there’s no need to even look at the menu for regulars like Jorge Raiado, who heads operations at Salmarim , an artisanal salt producer in nearby Castro Marim. “[Jerónimo] knows I love the green beans rice with loads of parsley and coriander to add freshness,” he states. One of the reasons Raiado has been a loyal guest at Jerónimo’s restaurant for ages is “the special touch that takes me to my grandma’s table.” While Restaurante Noélia is known for traditional hospitality, newcomer Austa in Almancil, a town known for its white-washed buildings, brings a more contemporary edge to the dining scene. For an exclusively Portuguese vinho hour, head to the town of Burgau—known for Praia de Burgau, a beach fenced by cliffs—and grab an outdoor perch at Sul , a family run coffee-shop-slash-wine-bar that began trading two years ago.

In picturesque Tavira and one of the region’s newest darlings, lovers of fine dining can choose from two-Michelin-starred Ocean in tiny Porches to one-Michelin-starred A Ver Tavira . The wine list here highlights every part of Portugal, from Niepoort in Douro to Arvad in Algarve—and throws in a little bit of Champagne too.

Campus of Austa recommends making an appointment to meet Filippo Pozzi of atlas.land in the hilltop village of Aljezur. A native of Lake Como, Pozzi relocated to the Algarve since he wanted to surf in the morning before working on his wines in the afternoon.

Nearby, a 20-minute drive away in Lagoa, family-owned Morgado do Quintão has one of the bigger wine tourism operations in the area. You can come for a tasting of their Negra Mole and Crato Branco (varietals indigenous to the Algarve) along with lunch, do a cooking class, hang out for movies under the stars, or throw a wedding on the estate.

The massive Praia da Falésia in Albufeira, known for its nightlife, is one of the most popular stretches of sand so it’s best to come early in the day to avoid the biggest crowds. And if you surf, try the breaks at Praia do Amado and Praia da Cordoama in the west. Raiado recommends a five-hour day with Fariniente , which you can board in the historic town of Tavira.

The sophisticated Vista Bar , which looks to be cloaked in thousands of tiles, has one of the best cocktail menus in the Algarve too. First opened in 1918, Bela Vista is smaller than the sprawling resorts in the area, but that’s the charm: You get the amenities but not the crowds. If you’d like to stay at a wine estate, book one of the minimalist cottages (or the four-bedroom Main House) at Morgado do Quintão .