Restaurants
Dining in and around Lagos - with Algarve Travel Solutions recommendations
Lagos offers many cosmopolitan restaurants to suit families, budgets, and for those really special occasions. Whether enjoying the variety of freshly caught fish or local meat dishes, we are sure you will not be disappointed. Portuguese restaurants are also very accommodating with high chairs and catering for small children. The national dish is Bacalhau (dried and salted cod) and visitors will also want to try Ameijoas na Cataplana (clams steamed in a copper pan), a dish that originates here in the Algarve.
Take advantage of the fresh fish and seafood on offer. Local house wines are inexpensive - although for as little as €10-12 euros you can relax and enjoy a wine from the Alentejo or Douro region for example.
For safety, we strongly advise you not to drink and drive. Portuguese laws are very strict! Need a taxi transfer - then our friendly and reliable taxi driver will collect you from your accommodation to the restaurant of your choice - contact us, or call 91 9700 998.
THE FOLLOWING ARE OUR OWN PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MENTION OUR NAMES (John & Fiona: but usually John the Boat or John the Marina!) and you will be well looked after by a host of Portuguese characters.
ESCONDIDINHO - Typically Portuguese specialising in fresh grilled fish of the day . Closed Sundays . Owned and run by Gilberto and his wife Cedalia. It is the place for a typical sardine lunch, mixing with locals and wine by the carafe! In the evenings try their grilled mixed fish with salad. Location - head for the Hotel TIVOLLI (formerly Hotel de Lagos), pass the hotels entrance, then take footpath on r/h side, small steps to the very top, turn left and Restaurant Escondidinho (meaning The Hidden House) is in the corner. Often greeted with a glass of Muscatel!
LUIS'S BAR - again head for the Hotel TIVOLLI. The Bar is just opposite. You will be sure of a warm welcome from this hard working owner Luis. The friendliest bar in town, mixed age range. Happy hours daily 6.00 - 8.00pm - reduced prices! Also light snacks, toasties etc. Our other 'office' - we may see you there!
O'ARTISTA - owned also by Luis (above). Luis is at his restaurants most evenings where you have a wide selection on the menu. His fillet steaks with or without sauce are mouth-watering. Look for the dishes of the day and three-course tourist menu €10.50 per person. Also a relaxing place to call in for a nightcap or Karioke on a Sunday night. Located right next door to his Happy Hour Bar!
MANDARIN CHINESE RESTAURANT - Meet Julie the proprietor. Closed lunchtimes and Monday evenings. Julie will also do a take-away service. Located on the Meia Praia hill.
RESTAURANT ASIA - An alternative Chinese restaurant on the 1st floor terrace overlooking the Marina. Their special dishes meal for two is around €25 and you'll enjoy a variety of dishes..
O'CELEIRO - tel 282 697144 - fabulous international cuisine with all the finishing touches. A little more expensive, but for the quality & service you will find it hard to resist for that special occasion . Family run, located on the main road towards Sagres at the Almadena traffic lights on l/h side. Garlic prawns, O'Celeiro salad, fresh fish, excellent chateaubriand, rabbit, veal, stroganoff. Wild boar and suckling pig. All accompanied with potatoes and a good selection of fresh vegetables. Dessert lovers - dream on. Taxi recommended
VAI a REMOS - means lets go rowing! Closed Mondays . A typical Portuguese Adega with huge wine barrels. Specialising in Suckling Pig and Shellfish rice to name only a few. A rowing boat displays a variety of shellfish, clams, oysters, mussels, crabs, lobsters . Not to be missed. Take the Sagres road and immediately turn right at the petrol station. The restaurant can only be reached via the old Sagres slip road.
FILHO DO MAE - If you've found Lidl's then you are in the right location. At the Lidl's roundabout turn left and this small restaurant is set on the left hand side amidst a parade of shops. Another coffee shop, come tapas, plus real local cuisine cooked by Silva's mother. Hence the name son of mother. Portugues cuisine, family run.
DON SEBASTIAO RESTAURANT - in Lagos town centre - busy and well known for lunch & dinners. Bookings recommended tel 282 762795. Be spoilt again with pork and figs, fresh fish or prawns - but make sure you order the GIGANTIC PRAWNS for a starter - two's enough unless of course you tell us better! Summertime their top terrace is open.
VISTA ALEGRA - Closed Mondays , tel 282 792151. Owned by a Swiss/French Chef and his Portuguese wife. A menu with a difference. Directions - hard to find - ask or invite us! Appears like a typical snack bar / café set in a old Portuguese residential area, with dining tables set at the back for 16 - 20 guests. Lovely food, service can be a little slow, but everything is cooked fresh to order.
LINDA'S BEACH BAR! - The place on the beach to relax with a rum punch or cocktail or your choice. A wide selection of salads with grilled meats and/or fish. Dips & spices, Caribbean music all enhance this interesting bar, set back on the Meia Praia beach. Take the dirt track by the side of Lagos railway station to the very end, bear left, over the sand dunes. Sunshades and sun loungers also available to hire. 
CAFÉ BISTRO DU CAIS - run by the owners of Linda's Bar. They offer a good choice international menu set in a relaxing atmosphere in the Marina. Also dish of the day, snacks, tappas, nibbles and a brilliant Sunday Breakfast with Champagne. Dream the world away, the ambience is fab! FERNANDO's RESTAURANT - Tel 282 760210 , Just past the shell garage along the front. Excellent for meat and fish. Chateaubriand is cooked to perfection, along with mouth watering lamb dishes and freshly caught fish. Head chef and owner Lorenzo will greet you with a smile and tell you what else he has ' special tonight'.
ADAGA DE MARINA - located along the main avenida across the road from the Marina. It has a bright illuminated sign, clearly visible as you walk over the bridge . Has a large seating capacity but the service is quick and easy. For a quick steak, chips and salad, order the Veal on Charcoal off their menu. No its not veal - but a good tasty steak. Also good is the chicken piri-piri not to mention the jugs of vinho tinto - very drinkable! 
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