“Sardines on bread are in Portimão” is a common saying, but you can also enjoy other fresh fish and seafood, grilled meats and almond-based sweets. Gastronomy in Portimão delights locals and tourists alike, and if you continue reading this article you will understand where and what to eat during your holidays in the Algarve!
“Sardines on bread are in Portimão”, they say, but if you prefer, you can eat them on a plate with boiled potatoes drizzled with olive oil and a mixed salad with roasted peppers. In any case, know that sardines come directly from the fish market to the plate and can be enjoyed on the terrace of a seaside restaurant.
Alternatively, you can try other freshly caught fish, such as horse mackerel, grouper, sea bass, grilled sea bream, Algarve-style cuttlefish and squid, cataplana or fish stew and monkfish rice.
Do you prefer seafood? Gastronomy in Portimão is also famous for its clams, prawns, shrimp, “feijoada” with horns and seafood rice (of course)!
But perhaps if you don't like fish, there is no problem! The gastronomy in Portimão also includes excellent meat dishes, namely Portimão-style peas with chorizo and eggs, Alentejo-style pork with clams, roasted chicken, grilled spare ribs, and steak served with fries, rice and salad!
And for the perfect gastronomic experience in Portimão, accompany your meal with the best wines from the region. This is because the land has ideal conditions for growing vines, due to its southern location and protection provided by the mountainous barrier of the Monchique range. Therefore, from velvety and full-bodied reds to delicate and smooth whites, dare to discover the flavors of the best wines in the Algarve!
And please, end your meal with the typical sweets of the region, where the carob cake, almond delights, “Dom Rodrigos” and fig stars stand out.
Where to eat in Portimão?
Is your mouth watering already? Then the time has come to look for a restaurant where you can taste the best cuisine in Portimão. Fortunately, there is no shortage of options, so the toughest thing will be choosing between typical restaurants on the waterfront, refined restaurants by the beach, traditional restaurants in the fishermen's quarters, taverns in the historic center and, of course, restaurants with excellent proposals for international cuisine. Deep down, Portimão is a city with a unique offer in terms of restaurants where you can enjoy the best gastronomy in the Algarve!
We suggest you stop by the Vista restaurant, located in Praia da Rocha, which will not disappoint, as it has a Michelin star. For lovers of fresh fish, a visit to the Dona Barca restaurant is a must. If you prefer a wine bar atmosphere, Casa da Tocha is the ideal place for you: it is very popular with those who visit this beautiful city and has many positive reviews. On the other hand, if seafood is your thing, you can count on an excellent meal at Squash, located in Praia da Rocha, or at Restaurante F - Food & Wine, also in Praia da Rocha. In the center of Portimão, you will have the option of visiting Marisqueira AllGarbe, which has a great selection of Algarve cuisine.
Like the gastronomy in Portimão, the gastronomy in the Algarve has irresistible regional dishes, most of them with fish and shellfish taken from the Atlantic Ocean, such as clams, oysters, cockles, barnacles, octopus, squid, cuttlefish, sardines, horse mackerel, sea bream, monkfish, swordfish, sole, bream, sea bass, tuna and swordfish.
The dishes most appreciated by locals and tourists are fish and shellfish stews (“cataplanas”), fish soup, octopus rice, whelk “feijoada”, seafood “açorda”, tuna steak, whelks with beans, among others.
In terms of meat, the highlights are the Algarve-style fava beans with chorizo, Algarve-style veal liver, chicken, veal, pork and much more!
Desserts? In the Algarve, the best regional sweets are almond cake with chocolate, “Dom Rodrigo”, stuffed figs, cheeses with figs and “morgadinhos”. All very much in line with the popular phrase that says “the sea rules the table and the almond tree the dessert”, because there are as many almond desserts as there are ways to cook the fresh fish and seafood that are served in restaurants in the Algarve!
Gastronomy is one of the reasons for deciding to live in the Algarve. Click here to know the other 9!
You can go online and ask Google for help or search directly on tripadvisor, timeout, bestguide, algarvefun... or simply go out and look for a regional restaurant in Portimão or any other region of the Algarve!
If you are looking for an unforgettable gastronomic experience, we suggest you visit one of the restaurants in the region included in the Michelin Guide: from Ocean in Lagoa to Vila Joya in Albufeira, both with two Michelin stars, passing through Al Sud in Lagos, Gusto in Almancil, Bon Bon in Carvoeiro, Vistas in Vila Nova de Cacela, or A Ver Tavira in, of course, Tavira. If, on the other hand, you prefer to enjoy the flavours of the region in a more relaxed atmosphere, we recommend going to Ferragudu's Terrace or Club Nau, both in Ferragudo, to enjoy beautiful seafood with an enviable view. Still on the subject of seafood and fresh fish, you can try the Caniço restaurant in Alvor, Mar d'Fora in Carvoeiro, or the terrace of A Ribeira, also in Alvor. In a more exclusive environment, in Lagoa, you can visit Casa do Rio, where the refinement and flavors of the menu will not leave you indifferent.
It won't be difficult to find restaurants with typical dishes, seafood restaurants, restaurants with terraces by the sea, taverns, snack bars and even signature cuisine 5-star restaurants and Michelin-starred restaurants, among a series of international food restaurants that bring to the Algarve delicacies from other countries.
Excellent beaches and breathtaking landscapes. Cultural, sporting and recreational activities. Services, shopping areas and tasty meals! Effectively, the Algarve brings together a series of attractions that can help you make the decision to live in Portimão. But before buying a house, consult us. We have a wide range of properties in Portimão!