Portimão’ s restaurant offer is rich and varied, with many fine restaurants celebrating the flavors of theAlgarve. We enjoyed authentic Portuguese cuisine, blended with Mediterranean notes and contemporary influences. From freshly caught seafood to creative vegetarian dishes and refined gastronomic experiences, this Portuguese coastal town is full of culinary nuggets.
In this article, discover our selection of the best restaurants in Portimão, which combine characterful gastronomy with traditional craftsmanship. Find out more about our experiences with all our image tips.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Best restaurants in Portimão: our 3 favourites
In this article, you’ll find detailed reviews of each of our selected establishments. But we couldn’t resist sharing our favorite restaurants with you right now:
- Restaurant Vista: our absolute favorite for its daring, refined cuisine that sublimates the products of the Algarve in a luxurious setting within theHotel Bela Vista.
- Restaurant NUMA: a family-run business that celebrates local produce with modern, elegant dishes.
- Restaurant Mãe Terra: our favorite address for healthy, vegetarian dishes that are as beautiful as they are good, in a soothing, creative “slow restaurant” atmosphere.
WHERE TO STAY IN Portimao
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Best luxury hotel
Bela Vista Hotel & Spa – See prices, photos and availability
Best 4-star hotel
Jupiter Marina Hotel – See prices, photos and availability
Best hotel for families
Vitor’s Plaza Aparthotel – See prices, photos and availability
Best Michelin-starred and gourmet restaurants in Portimão
1. Restaurant Vista (1 star, Hotel Bela Vista)
Nestled within the Hotel Bela Vista, our favorite establishment in Portimão, this Michelin-starred restaurant promises a luxurious experience in a unique setting. Each plate was a true culinary experience that transported us. Chef João Oliveira’s refined, inventive cuisine showcases the flavors of the Algarve and sublimates local produce with creativity and elegance.
Before dinner, we enjoyed a house cocktail on the outdoor terrace to take in the superb sunset over Praia da Rocha. This magical moment was the perfect start to an exceptional experience. The harmony between the quality of the food and the beauty of the setting make this restaurant a must for lovers of fine dining. Don’t hesitate to extend this enchanted interlude by staying at the Hôtel Bela Vista – see prices, photos and availability.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: Praia da Rocha
- Type of restaurant: starred gourmet
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: menus at €225 per person (€140 wine pairing)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Online booking required here
2. Restaurant NUMA (vegetarian options)
This family-run business led by Chef Nuno Martins and his wife Manuela João in the dining room won us over with its authenticity and excellence. The cuisine, prepared with the finest Portuguese ingredients and a modern approach, is accompanied by a rich selection of local wines. The refined decor creates an intimate, elegant atmosphere.
During our dinner, we tried a surprising dish based around grilled lettuce, accompanied by fermented melon, dehydrated onions and white bean purée. We really enjoyed this culinary creativity. The establishment offers a 10-course tasting menu at 90€ and a second 8-course menu at 75€, allowing you to discover the full extent of the chef’s talent!
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: downtown
- Restaurant type: gourmet
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: no
- Price range: between €50 and €90 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Online booking required here
3. LOKI Restaurant (downtown)
Chef João Marreiros has made the bold choice of offering no menu at all, as he uses the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, offering a new experience every day. This 11-step culinary journey begins with the eyes, as the dishes are carefully presented. Everything is local, organic and homemade (including the bread and butter), from the fish and shellfish caught in the Algarve to the ceramic tableware made by Portuguese artists. Each bite tells the story of the region and its producers!
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: downtown
- Restaurant type: gourmet
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: single menu at €135 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Online booking required here
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN THE Algarve
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Don’t take a car that’s too wide, as old towns have narrow streets and small parking spaces.
- For more choice, book early.
Read our tips (coming soon)
Best bistronomic restaurants in Portimão
4. Restaurant O Quinto Império
The Restaurant O Quinto Império offers a fine immersion in traditional Algarve cuisine. Generous, tasty dishes featuring local produce: grilled fish, delicately cooked seafood or duck simmered Portuguese-style. The plates are carefully prepared, full of flavor, and accompanied by a wide selection of local wines to enhance every bite.
Located away from the city center, the establishment is easily accessible by car, with free parking available to guests. This slight detour is amply rewarded by the warm welcome from the staff and the friendly atmosphere in the dining room. An ideal address for an authentic meal in a peaceful setting, far from the tourist hustle and bustle.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: inland
- Type of restaurant: bistronomic
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: no
- Price range: between €25 and €45 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: yes
- Reservations recommended by telephone (+351) 282 074 993
5. Restaurant F (Praia da Rocha)
This restaurant’s contemporary local cuisine seduced us with the elegance of its plates and the creativity of its combinations. Our starter, a shredded Wagyu beef presented as a salad, set the tone for a meal that was both refined and inventive. Special mention for the octopus, perfectly cooked and melting, far from any rubbery texture: a real delight that confirms the chef’s savoir-faire.
The bread service, accompanied by 2 pods of homemade butter (including one with mushrooms) provided a gourmet touch right from the start of the meal. The rhubarb cheesecake, revisited with finesse, was a real favorite for dessert. To accompany it all, we opted for a sparkling Algarve wine from a fine local selection, which perfectly complemented this modern and masterful culinary experience.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: Praia da Rocha
- Type of restaurant: bistronomic
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €30 and €60 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: yes (menu)
- We advise you to book online here
A LITTLE MORE patience
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Best family restaurants in Portimão
6. Restaurant Xarme
Located between Alvor and Portimão, this contemporary restaurant boasts elegant decor and a large outdoor terrace. Typical Portuguese cuisine, served by particularly friendly staff. Children’s menus featuring chicken or fish, a fine selection of local wines and dishes to share create a friendly atmosphere ideal for family meals. The establishment brilliantly combines modernity and tradition, in a refined setting perfectly suited to young and old alike.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: inland (between Alvor and Portimão)
- Type of restaurant: bistronomic
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €25 and €40 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: yes (menu)
- We advise you to book online here
7. Restaurant O Viriato (traditional cuisine)
This rustic, traditional-style restaurant offers generous Portuguese specialities, ideal for sharing with the whole family. Children are welcome, with a dedicated menu including chicken nuggets, sausages, fish fingers and hamburgers. The outdoor terrace lets you enjoy the mild Algarve climate in a friendly atmosphere. With its hearty portions, warm welcome and excellent value for money, this is the perfect address for discovering local cuisine with young and old alike.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: between Praia do Vau and Praia da Rocha
- Restaurant type: traditional
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €20 and €35 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: yes (menu)
- Reservations recommended by telephone on (+351) 967 625 775
Best traditional restaurants in downtown Portimão
8. Restaurant Casa da Tocha
This friendly restaurant charmed us with its warm atmosphere and decor that blends tradition with modern touches. The menu features regional cuisine with a wide variety of dishes: fish, seafood, meats, risottos and pasta, all accompanied by a wide selection of carefully chosen local wines.
Among our tastings, the mushroom and truffle ravioli proved tasty and well-balanced, with a discreet truffle fragrance and a very aromatic mushroom mix, even if the dish turned out to be a little heavy. We also loved the crispy chicken and home fries, rustic and comforting as can be. A great place to discover Portuguese cuisine in a simple, authentic setting!
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: downtown
- Restaurant type: traditional
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: no
- Price range: between €20 and €40 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: yes (tapas)
- Reservations recommended by telephone on (+351) 282 424 144
9. Restaurant AllGarbe
This excellent address offers an authentic immersion in Portuguese seafood cuisine. From the outside, the azulejos on the facade are a reminder of the country’s cultural heritage. Inside, the atmosphere is warm and friendly, supported by attentive, welcoming staff. An ideal setting for savoring Algarve specialties in a typically local atmosphere.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: downtown
- Restaurant type: traditional
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: no
- Price range: between €25 and €50 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: yes (menu)
- We advise you to book online here
FUN in the Algarve: activities
Caves and cliffs by boat
Kayak Tours
Dolphin watching
Jeep tour
Best healthy vegan restaurants in Portimão
10. Restaurant Mãe Terra (downtown)
This vegetarian restaurant, based on the “slow restaurant” concept, won us over with its soothing, friendly atmosphere. Run by a couple – he in the kitchen, she in the dining room – the establishment exudes an authentic family atmosphere. Every dish is a feast for the eyes and taste buds, with vegetarian cuisine that’s inventive, colorful and perfectly executed.
On our visit, the dish of the day was a tasty chickpea dahl with curry, followed by original desserts such as vegan cheesecake and violet crème brûlée. From appetizer to dessert, everything was gourmet and comforting. A unique address in Portimão, ideal for a healthy, delicious break full of good vibes!
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: downtown
- Restaurant type: vegetarian
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €15 and €25 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: yes
- Reservations recommended by telephone on (+351) 931 682 029
11. Restaurant Super Juice (Praia da Rocha, not expensive)
Specializing in fresh vegan and sugar-free juices, this establishment also offers protein shakes, bowls, vegetarian lasagne and vegan salads. The dishes are healthy, well-balanced and full of flavor, with freshness in every bite. The creativity of the recipes and the excellent value for money make this an ideal address for a light, nutritious lunch, whether you’re vegetarian or simply looking for a healthier gourmet break.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: Praia da Rocha
- Restaurant type: healthy and vegan
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €10 and €20 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: no
- Particularly suitable for children: yes
- No reservation necessary
12. Restaurant Squash (Praia da Rocha)
This restaurant offers a varied cuisine to delight all palates: meat dishes, freshly caught fish, but also several well-thought-out vegetarian options. These include salads, vegetable noodles and risotto with mushrooms, eggplants, zucchinis and asparagus. Seafood dishes include sole, tuna, shrimp, lobster and crab. This diversity makes it possible to satisfy all tastes and diets. An ideal address for groups with a variety of tastes, with generous plates!
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: Praia da Rocha
- Type of restaurant: bistronomic
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €30 and €50 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: yes
- Reservations recommended by telephone on (+351) 282 148 507
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Best seafood restaurants in Portimão
13. Restaurant Adris (Praia da Rocha)
Located on the lively Praia da Rocha, this restaurant offers generous, authentic seafood dishes. Set out on a terrace on a busy street, you can enjoy specialties such as monkfish or clam cataplana, grilled lobster or hearty seafood platters. While the decor has a slightly old-fashioned charm, the flavors of the sea are on the menu. A no-fuss address, prized for its honest portions, reasonable prices and location.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: Praia da Rocha
- Restaurant type: traditional
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €20 and €40 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: yes
- Reservations recommended by telephone on (+351) 963 072 027
14. Maria do Mar restaurant (cannery)
Both a restaurant and a delicatessen, Maria do Mar is an atypical address that pays tribute to the tradition of Portuguese canned fish. You’ll find a wide selection of canned products – sardines, tuna, mackerel – at very affordable prices. Before you leave with your preserves, you can taste them on the spot in the form of tasting plates: dried tuna, sardines and anchovies, everything is tasty and authentic.
The place is run by 2 former fishermen who passionately pass on their know-how and love of the sea. The atmosphere is simple and picturesque, far from haute cuisine, but full of charm. Very popular with the locals, it’s an original stopover, ideal for the curious! A wonderful immersion in a little-known facet of Portugal’s culinary heritage, and a visit to the nearby Portimão Museum, which traces the history of the region’s canning industry, is a must.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: downtown
- Restaurant type: cannery
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Terrace: no
- Price range: between €8 and €20 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: yes
- No reservation necessary
15. Restaurant O Rebelo (Praia do Vau)
Located on the Praia do Vau, this restaurant focuses on simplicity and freshness. The waiter first introduced us to the freshly caught fish of the day, to help us make our choice. We accompanied our dish with crunchy vegetables (a little too firm for our liking) and a steamed potato, in a clear attempt to leave plenty of room for the fish, the undisputed star of the plate.
To round off the meal, the restaurant offers a selection of traditional desserts. We opted for a typical fresh goat’s cheese cake, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream: a wonderful discovery. Although the decor is simple and rustic, the friendliness of the staff and the lovely panoramic terrace add a lot of charm. Olive oil and white vinegar from Portugal also add an authentic touch to the whole experience.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: Praia do Vau
- Restaurant type: traditional
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €25 and €45 per person (excluding drinks)
- Portuguese specialities: yes
- Particularly suitable for children: no
- Reservations recommended by telephone on (+351) 282 401 613
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN THE Algarve
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Don’t take a car that’s too wide, as old towns have narrow streets and small parking spaces.
- For more choice, book early.
Read our tips (coming soon)
Other excellent restaurants in and around Portimão
To complete our selection, here are a few other excellent addresses well worth a visit:
- Urban Grill Restaurant for the quality of its wood-fired grilled meats, offering an authentic carnivorous experience in a modern setting.
- Restaurant W- Wine, Food & Friends for its delicious tapas and wine selection, perfect for an aperitif or a convivial dinner with friends.
- Restaurant Cozinha de Sónia for its vegetarian and Indian cuisine based on fresh produce, adding an exotic touch to the local culinary scene.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE algarve
- Best of
Things to do in the Algarve
Most beautiful landscapes (coming soon)
Most beautiful towns and villages
Algarve’s most beautiful beaches
- Practical advice
When to go? (coming soon)
How to rent a car in the Algarve (coming soon)
Driving tips (coming soon)
How many days?
Itineraries (coming soon)
- The must-dos
Ponta da Piedade (coming soon)
Benagil cave (coming soon)
Praia da Marinha
Dolphin watching (coming soon)
What to do in Lagos
What to do in Portimao
What to do in Albufeira
What to do in Faro
