Until recently, in the Algarve, creative and technically-savvy chefs wowed diners exclusively at trendy and high-end restaurants in the “Golden Triangle” (central region) or luxurious costal resorts. Those days are gone! A younger generation of culinary artists, some home-grown and some foreign transplants, are making names for themselves, delighting foodies, earning rave reviews and filling seats at their quaint restaurants. The greatest evidence of this is in Faro, the administrative capital city of the Algarve. Here, small nondescript shopfronts in and around the old city center have been transformed into hotspots of creative cuisine. Below, we’ve listed our favorites (in alphabetical order):
(Photo at top: Alameda)
BEST CREATIVE CUISINE RESTAURANTS IN FARO
Alameda
Here, the concept is “fun fine dining,” and the vibe is relaxed. Faro native Rui Sequeira honed his skills in the kitchen at two-Michelin star Ocean and others, before setting out on his own with business partner and wife Cristina Montiero. The emphasis is on technique, as well as top-quality local ingredients, but nothing is too complicated. Decide on a 9-moment tasting menu (there’s a vegetarian version too) or choose a la carte. The experience is fun, the kind of thing you could do every week, not just once in a lifetime. Michelin likes Alameda too and has included it on their “recommended” list.
Rua da Polícia da Segurança Pública 10, Faro | +351 289 824 831 | Alameda website
Thursday to Monday – 19:00, 20:00 & 21:00, Sunday lunch at 13:00 & 13:30
BEST CREATIVE CUISINE RESTAURANTS IN FARO
ATO
A small sign affixed above a doorway on Rua do Albergue is the only clue that you’ve arrived at this quaint 24-seat restaurant serving sophisticated cuisine. From the USA but now residing in Faro, Chef Sean Marsh has an impressive resumé having cooked at 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. His mission: to create a contemporary vision of Algarvian cuisine.
Rua do Albergue 16, Faro | +351 937 613 844 | ATO website
Wednesday to Friday – 19:00 to 23:00, Saturday and Sunday – 13:00 to 15:00, 19:00 to 23:00
BEST CREATIVE CUISINE RESTAURANTS IN FARO
Céu
Céu is a passion project of Chef Sky Visser and his partner Jen Salli. The unique cuisine fusion of South American and Asian is a nod to Chef Sky’s background (he was raised in Curação, and his mother is Indonesian). South American arepas (small corn “pancakes”) stuffed with beef, pork, chicken or beans have become fan favorites. Also of note are the Indonesian marinated tempeh (a soy cake) sautéed with aromatic spices, Bali prawns in homemade Indonesian boemboe (blend of spices), and cassava and cheese croquettes. Vegans will have plenty of choice at Céu. Also, the menu is 95% gluten free.
Rua Dr. João Lucio 5, Faro | +351 910 293 104 | Céu website
Wednesday to Sunday – 18:30 to 22:30
BEST CREATIVE CUISINE RESTAURANTS IN FARO
Check-In
At Checkin, Chef Leonel Pereira serves classic dishes from his long and Michelin-starred (formerly São Gabriel in Almancil) career. The technique is refined and the concept is fun. The Algarvean native has a fondness for locally-caught fish and seafood, but also takes a unique interest in algaes and microalgaes. Consider then, for an appetizer, mackerel fillet on potato salad with celery and apple, cockle and phycocyanin sauce, and main dish pan fried sea bream fillet, plankton xarém, green asparagus and red prawn sauce. Not all menu items utilize algae, but all are meant to share and enjoy. Checkin has been honored by Michelin with a Bib Gourmet distinction.
Rua do Castelo 7 & 8, Faro | +351 968 070 776 | Checkin website
Monday to Saturday – 19:00 to 23:00
BEST CREATIVE CUISINE RESTAURANTS IN FARO
Com Raw Food Club
Com is a dining experience not to be missed. Tucked into a side room at Epicur (see below) this small restaurant seats only 12 diners at a U-shaped table. Culinarian extraordinaire Jorge Santos is the maestro leading you through this evening of delightfully delicious dishes in curiously creative presentations. A distinctive feature of many of the dishes are raw seafood products sourced daily from local fisherman. The “teaser” opening dish on the night we visited was fresh oyster in ponzu and grapefruit juice with lime zest. It’s a tasting menu only (€70 per person, food only). Dishes can change from day-to-day, depending on fresh products. Com is a special night of food and fun.
Rua Alexandre Herculano 22, Faro | +351 935 194 099 | Com Instagram
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday – 20:00 to 02:00
BEST CREATIVE CUISINE RESTAURANTS IN FARO
Epicur Wine Boutique and Food
Come in for a sip of wine…stay for creative meal…have some scrumptious fun. Epicur blends carefully-curated national wines with an international culinary experience, in a casual and eclectic ambiance. Co-owners Jorge and Rodrigo, each bring something different to the equation–Jorge a background in gastronomy, Rodrigo a flare for extravagance. Angolan transplant Giovanni works his magic in the kitchen. Altogether they produce a tapas dining experience that is fresh, creative and delicious. Ask for the tasting menu of eight moments for (€62), or choose a la carte. Interesting highlights include purple corn tacos with slow-cooked pork, scallop and prawn green curry, and octopus, black pudding and sweet potato. Every dish has a recommend wine pairing…or ask Jorge to pour something unique just for you.
Rua Alexandre Herculano 22, Faro | +351 935 194 099 | Epicur Instagram
Monday to Saturday – 18:00 to 02:00
BEST CREATIVE CUISINE RESTAURANTS IN FARO
Karpa
It’s traditional Japanese, using local Portuguese fish and products, blended with the creative imagination and technical expertise of Chef Rui Sequeira. This second of three restaurants in Faro by Chef Rui has become a must-stop spot for hardcore sushi lovers. Imagine nigiri of octopus and fermented pepper or fig with foie gras from the sea. Finger food items (otsumami) include dashi cod açorda, black pork katsu sandwich, and oyster with a ponzu of eucalyptus. Want to leave the decisions to the chef? Choose the omakase menu: 12 moments for €65.
Rua Moto Clube de Faro 5, | +351 929 373 135 | Karpa Instagram
Thursday to Monday – 19:00 to 24:00
BEST CREATIVE CUISINE RESTAURANTS IN FARO
Monky
Rui Sequeira can’t stay still. What he does for casual fine dining at Alameda and Karpa (above), he also does for Asia cuisine. Perusing the menu, diners have the pleasure of taking a foodie journey across Asia, from China to Thailand to Indonesia to India. Although there is no “fusion” or “inventions” intended, dishes are prepared true to their origin using local products and expert skills. The result is beautiful and delicious taste sensations. Select from a range of gyozas, curries, baos, pad thai, nasi goreng, ramen, udon and more.
Rua Moto Clube de Faro A/B 3, Faro | +351 289 090 350 | Monky website
Thursday to Tuesday – 13:20 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 24:00
BEST CREATIVE CUISINE RESTAURANTS IN FARO
Pigs & Cows
The motto is: “world food and good vibes for happy people.” With that, fasten your seat belts, we’re going to Pigs & Cows! The epicurean couple behind the concept are Lilia and Didier, Portuguese and French, respectively. They are creative, accomplished and, well, bonkers! Their dishes—inspired by their global travels—fuse international flavors with more familiar Portuguese and French products and recipes. Although menu descriptions are vague, fear not; Lilia steps away from her chef duties in the kitchen to visit your table and explain every dish in detail. It’s €55 flat fee for choice of appetizer, main and dessert. A dining experience you won’t forget.
Rua Batista Lopes 57, Faro | +351 966 096 850 | Pigs & Cows website
Thursday to Sunday – 18:30 to 23:30