Walking down Rua do Albergue in the old town of Faro, it’s easy to get caught up in the historic buildings and calçada streets. Yet, one small sign affixed above a doorway is the only clue that you’ve arrived at quaint 24-seat restaurant serving sophisticated cuisine by a technically-savvy chef. ATO Restaurante is a refreshing spot for casual but creative dining.
In its former life, ATO was a traditional Portuguese fish restaurant. Inside, remnants of the past remain with azulejos tiles on the lower half of the walls, encircling thick wooden tables and chairs. Freshly-painted crisp white upper walls and a pop of bold blue on the ceiling adds modernity to the space. The ambiance is a nice balance of old and new.
Originally from Florida, USA, owner and chef Sean Marsh studied anthropology and sustainable agriculture development. With a passion for cooking, he set out to Europe to find connections in gastronomy and culture with the environment. His exploration led him to the kitchens of such notable restaurants as Mugaritz (Michelin **) in San Sebastian, St. John (Michelin *) in London, and Vila Joya (Michelin **) and Bon Bon (Michelin *) in the Algarve. Delighted by the fresh coastal products of the region, and the cultural heritage of Faro, Chef Sean opened ATO in 2022. His mission: create a contemporary vision of Algarvian cuisine.
Chef Sean’s passion for fish and seafood, and locally-grown vegetables is evident on ATO’s current menu. Highlights include starters of Roast Pumpkin, with hazelnut vinaigrette and fresh cheese, Pickled Mackrell with apple, fennel and pennyroyal and Braised Squid with oyster mushrooms and soubise sauce. Mains feature fish found in the waters surrounding Faro, such as Porgy (pargo) with braised celery, and local shrimp, Croaker with roasted tomatoes and water cress, and Monkfish with lentils and green sauce. Desserts are a difficult choice between Ricotta Cheesecake with prunes and rum sauce, and Almond Madeleines with clementine curd.
Compliment the meal with a bottle of wine from a carefully-curated list of small producers.
For more information and to book reservations, visit the Ato Restaurante website.
ATO
Rua do Albergue 16
Faro
Phone: +351 937 613 844
Email: reservas@atorestaurante.com
Hours:
Wednesday to Friday – 19:00 to 23:00
Saturday and Sunday – 13:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 23:00
Photos courtesy of ATO
