Guidebook for Lagos
Food Scene
Best Restaurants in and around Lagos
The food, service and wine list here is exceptional - very modern portuguese cuisine
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
A Petisqueira
54 Rua 25 de AbrilThe food, service and wine list here is exceptional - very modern portuguese cuisine
Best Bakery in town and just a few mins from the house. Their pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) are exceptional.
48 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Padaria Central
23 R. Primeiro de MaioBest Bakery in town and just a few mins from the house. Their pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) are exceptional.
Fantastic elevated stylish tapas - not your usual Portuguese restaurant. It's in an unlikely location by the dry dock but you won't be disappointed.
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tasca do Kiko
A Estr. de São RoqueFantastic elevated stylish tapas - not your usual Portuguese restaurant. It's in an unlikely location by the dry dock but you won't be disappointed.
A local favourite and off the beaten track for foreigners. It's right at the end of the beach road by Meia Praia. Expect very authentic Portuguese food. The all you can eat fish meal is hugely popular and a great deal.
52 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
A Barrigada
A Estr. de São RoqueA local favourite and off the beaten track for foreigners. It's right at the end of the beach road by Meia Praia. Expect very authentic Portuguese food. The all you can eat fish meal is hugely popular and a great deal.
There's a queue throughout the year so book or prepare to wait. Try the house prawns, seafood cataplana or stuffed squid if you're lucky enough to visit on a stuffed squid day (only 1 day a week). But beware, the portions are huge! Luis the owner is impressively the only person in the kitchen and will shout over to you to see if you're enjoying your meal.
85 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casinha do Petisco
51 R. da OliveiraThere's a queue throughout the year so book or prepare to wait. Try the house prawns, seafood cataplana or stuffed squid if you're lucky enough to visit on a stuffed squid day (only 1 day a week). But beware, the portions are huge! Luis the owner is impressively the only person in the kitchen and will shout over to you to see if you're enjoying your meal.
Delicious fresh seafood on the cliff above Camilo beach with ocean views.
145 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante Camilo
Estrada da Ponta da PiedadeDelicious fresh seafood on the cliff above Camilo beach with ocean views.
Tasca Da Lota
Excellent value seafood
The best location on Meia Praia - food is not the best in Lagos but the view is second to none
Bar Quim
15 Q.ta da PraiaThe best location on Meia Praia - food is not the best in Lagos but the view is second to none
Only open lunches and not on Sundays - a local favourite. You'll see cars parked right down the N125
76 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante Chico Zé - Francisco Jose Sequeira Torres
125 Estrada NacionalOnly open lunches and not on Sundays - a local favourite. You'll see cars parked right down the N125
A hugely popular restaurant at a stunning beach
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
O Sitio do Rio
Estrada da PraiaA hugely popular restaurant at a stunning beach
Very close to the house and does great burgers. The vegetarian beetroot burger deserves a place in the burger hall of fame!
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
BARBOSA Bar & Kitchen
17 R. António Barbosa VianaVery close to the house and does great burgers. The vegetarian beetroot burger deserves a place in the burger hall of fame!
The most popular place in town for the younger crowd. Mexican food, fresh juices and great veggie options.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Beats & Burritos
4 Tv. do CotoveloThe most popular place in town for the younger crowd. Mexican food, fresh juices and great veggie options.
It doesn't look like much and isn't my personal favourite, but this is on every top 50 burgers in the world list. Ask for ingredients though as they use pork on the chicken burgers.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nah Nah Bah Restaurant
11 Tv. do FornoIt doesn't look like much and isn't my personal favourite, but this is on every top 50 burgers in the world list. Ask for ingredients though as they use pork on the chicken burgers.
You need to book for this - on a stunning beach about 40 mins from Lagos and it's equally stunning typical Portuguese food
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rei das praias
Praia dos CaneirosYou need to book for this - on a stunning beach about 40 mins from Lagos and it's equally stunning typical Portuguese food
If you're tired of all that delicious seafood, Calhou serves more meat focused Portuguese mountain food,
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Calhou Restaurante
10 R. Dr. António Guerreiro TelloIf you're tired of all that delicious seafood, Calhou serves more meat focused Portuguese mountain food,
Borsalino
2G R. José Ventura Neto CabritaGreat local Italian but not in the tourist centre.
Excellent Japanese very close to the house and unbelievably good value - it's all you can eat for around 13 per person.
Osaka Japanese Restaurante
20 R. Primeiro de MaioExcellent Japanese very close to the house and unbelievably good value - it's all you can eat for around 13 per person.
On the next corner and great for fresh juices and breakfast
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bora Café
17 R. Conselheiro Joaquim MachadoOn the next corner and great for fresh juices and breakfast
Fish and chips are amongst the best I've ever eaten and the fish tacos are really good too! They have a lovely cocktail bar across the road.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ol' Bastard's Cocktail Bar
115 R. Cândido dos ReisFish and chips are amongst the best I've ever eaten and the fish tacos are really good too! They have a lovely cocktail bar across the road.
Super friendly and great food vegetarian and vegan options! Unusually for Lagos open every day of the year
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Delhi Darbar
14 Largo das Portas de PortugalSuper friendly and great food vegetarian and vegan options! Unusually for Lagos open every day of the year
The food is delicious and the service super friendly and faultless. always open too even through winter.
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Casa do Prego
18 R. Lançarote de FreitasThe food is delicious and the service super friendly and faultless. always open too even through winter.
Great service, coffee and food. Very trendy so go early in the morning or expect queues
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Black and White Coffee Shop
40 R. Marreiros NettoGreat service, coffee and food. Very trendy so go early in the morning or expect queues
Great for healthy and veg options. The smoothies and cocktails are divine.
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Goji Lounge Café
61 R. Marreiros NettoGreat for healthy and veg options. The smoothies and cocktails are divine.
Unfortunately the link links to another ice cream parlour for some reason but Gelicia gelateria is the best gelato in Lagos and one of the best I've had anywhere. Made fresh every day with whatever is best at market. The pistachio is exceptional.
Largo Marquês de Pombal
Largo Marquês de PombalUnfortunately the link links to another ice cream parlour for some reason but Gelicia gelateria is the best gelato in Lagos and one of the best I've had anywhere. Made fresh every day with whatever is best at market. The pistachio is exceptional.
What the locals call "McDonalds" as it's always open and service is very quick... do not expect McDonalds food though - they serve great Portuguese food in an old wine warehouse and although it's always crammed with locals, it's huge so the wait is never long.
152 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Adega Da Marina
35 Av. dos DescobrimentosWhat the locals call "McDonalds" as it's always open and service is very quick... do not expect McDonalds food though - they serve great Portuguese food in an old wine warehouse and although it's always crammed with locals, it's huge so the wait is never long.
Another excellent local only 3 course lunch place. Go early to get the menu do dia.
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante Prato Cheio -
23A R. Dr. Francisco Sá CarneiroAnother excellent local only 3 course lunch place. Go early to get the menu do dia.
Fabulous menu do dia lunch option. The lovely chef makes the most delicious desserts and prawn rice and also sells bottles of excellent peri peri oil which I buy to use at home. Try the mousse de limão if it's on offer.
Restaurante O Brito
Fabulous menu do dia lunch option. The lovely chef makes the most delicious desserts and prawn rice and also sells bottles of excellent peri peri oil which I buy to use at home. Try the mousse de limão if it's on offer.
An excellent Indian. 5 stars and over 1000 reviews on G maps. It's always packed so prepare to put your name down and wait.
7 Hills Indian Restaurant
An excellent Indian. 5 stars and over 1000 reviews on G maps. It's always packed so prepare to put your name down and wait.
About 40 minutes from Lagos in Alvor and pricey, but for a special occasion it really is exceptional. Very James Bond it's set into a cave on the side of a cliff - you can catch an elevator down from the cliff top or walk to it if the tide is low enough.
80 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Caniço
Aldeamento Prainha ClubAbout 40 minutes from Lagos in Alvor and pricey, but for a special occasion it really is exceptional. Very James Bond it's set into a cave on the side of a cliff - you can catch an elevator down from the cliff top or walk to it if the tide is low enough.
A lovely restaurant right on the beach with great service and food. The prawn linguine and the chocolate mousse with peppercorns, olive oil and sea salt are especially delicious.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante São Roque
Estrada de São RoqueA lovely restaurant right on the beach with great service and food. The prawn linguine and the chocolate mousse with peppercorns, olive oil and sea salt are especially delicious.
The only Michelin starred restaurant in Lagos.
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante dos Artistas
68 R. Cândido dos ReisThe only Michelin starred restaurant in Lagos.
Do not miss!! A shop that has homemade bagels in the morning and burgers at night (including vegan options). The shop switches signs in the afternoon to change from pom pom bagels to Illicit Burgers and both are outstanding.
Pom Pom Bagels
4 R. Gil VicenteDo not miss!! A shop that has homemade bagels in the morning and burgers at night (including vegan options). The shop switches signs in the afternoon to change from pom pom bagels to Illicit Burgers and both are outstanding.
An authentical Algarvean restaurant super close to the house and the food and service is fantastic.
Restaurante Pescador
An authentical Algarvean restaurant super close to the house and the food and service is fantastic.
Michelin recommended with very authentic Algarvean food
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cantinho Algarvio
nº21 R. Afonso de AlmeidaMichelin recommended with very authentic Algarvean food
buteo kitchen & bar
Places
Praia Dona Ana
Stunning beach
Steep stairs and tiny but a very beautiful beach
188 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa de Camilo
Steep stairs and tiny but a very beautiful beach
Great for surfing and a wealth of lovely beaches and restaurants. Go to the lighthouse for the westernmost sunset.
294 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sagres
Great for surfing and a wealth of lovely beaches and restaurants. Go to the lighthouse for the westernmost sunset.
Estrada da Praia
Estrada da PraiaA stunning beach withhuge waves, blowholes and walkways and a great restaurant
Another stunning west coast beach with a lovely restaurant and a cake/coffee shop
105 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Praia de Monte Clérigo
Another stunning west coast beach with a lovely restaurant and a cake/coffee shop
Good place for kids on rainy days
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lagos Ciencia Viva Science Centre
34 R. Dr. Faria e SilvaGood place for kids on rainy days
Shopping
Centro Comercial Algarve
Centro Comercial Aqua Portimão
72 R. de São PedroIncredible fish market with veg upstairs. It is more expensive than the Santo Amaro market but very good and 5 mins from the house.
130 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mercado Municipal de Lagos
Avenida dos DescobrimentosIncredible fish market with veg upstairs. It is more expensive than the Santo Amaro market but very good and 5 mins from the house.
Central Lagos
Largo do Rossio de São João BatistaSaturday fruit and veg market
Talho Andre - Andre Filipe Cabrita Lourenço
Excellent butcher
A really stylish interiors and clothes shop which carries some of Portugal's top brands.
TAMAR - artesanato, moda e arte
14 R. António Barbosa VianaA really stylish interiors and clothes shop which carries some of Portugal's top brands.
A very stylish lifestyle shop with a restaurant and bookshop on the first floor and a great bar on the rooftop. They stock loads of stunning Portuguese made items.
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mar d'Estorias
30 R. Silva LopesA very stylish lifestyle shop with a restaurant and bookshop on the first floor and a great bar on the rooftop. They stock loads of stunning Portuguese made items.
A much more reasonably priced market that the locals all use.
130 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mercado Municipal de Lagos
Avenida dos DescobrimentosA much more reasonably priced market that the locals all use.
A big supermarket with a sports shop attached. Best for wine bargains - they always have incredible discounts on great wines.
46 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Continente Modelo Lagos
A big supermarket with a sports shop attached. Best for wine bargains - they always have incredible discounts on great wines.
This supermarket has the best fresh fish counter and a small selection of international foods.
101 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pingo Doce
This supermarket has the best fresh fish counter and a small selection of international foods.
Beaches & Places
Monte Foia Monchique
67 R. da Fonte SantaAmazing views of the Algarve
When the wind picks up in the afternoons, try the beaches on the west side of town as they are much more protected than Meia Praia. This is a tiny one so only good at low tide but it is my favourite.
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa Pinhao
Rua José FormosinhoWhen the wind picks up in the afternoons, try the beaches on the west side of town as they are much more protected than Meia Praia. This is a tiny one so only good at low tide but it is my favourite.
An absolutely beautiful beach. It is small so can get a little crowded but it's great for snorkelling and windy days. Has a very nice restaurant too but book in Summer.
188 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa de Camilo
An absolutely beautiful beach. It is small so can get a little crowded but it's great for snorkelling and windy days. Has a very nice restaurant too but book in Summer.
This beach never gets crowded because it's about 5 miles long. Great for a walk or when the wind isn't too strong and it has restaurants with great views and sunbeds with umbrellas all along. Very safe for kids as the waves are never big and it's shallow to quite a way out.
157 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Meia Praia, Lagos
This beach never gets crowded because it's about 5 miles long. Great for a walk or when the wind isn't too strong and it has restaurants with great views and sunbeds with umbrellas all along. Very safe for kids as the waves are never big and it's shallow to quite a way out.
Another absolutely stunning beach on the west side of town. Good for windy days and with a beach cafe and good snorkelling. You can catch sightseeing boats here from the beach or walk along the cliffs to Lagos or Camilo.
229 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Praia Dona Ana
Another absolutely stunning beach on the west side of town. Good for windy days and with a beach cafe and good snorkelling. You can catch sightseeing boats here from the beach or walk along the cliffs to Lagos or Camilo.
I love this beach on the west coast. It's never crowded and has huge waves and 3 really good restaurants.
105 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Praia de Monte Clérigo
I love this beach on the west coast. It's never crowded and has huge waves and 3 really good restaurants.
Where everyone goes to watch the sunset in Lagos. The views are absolutely beautiful. You can walk all along the cliffs all the way from Praia do Pinhao but you need to really watch your step as the sandstone cliffs are crumbling. Safer is to go by road from Dona Ana.
171 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ponta da Piedade
Where everyone goes to watch the sunset in Lagos. The views are absolutely beautiful. You can walk all along the cliffs all the way from Praia do Pinhao but you need to really watch your step as the sandstone cliffs are crumbling. Safer is to go by road from Dona Ana.
Right next to Praia Batata on the town side of Lagos. Very pretty beach. Swim from Batata or take the stairs down from in front of Mar restaurant.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa del Estudiante
Right next to Praia Batata on the town side of Lagos. Very pretty beach. Swim from Batata or take the stairs down from in front of Mar restaurant.
One of my favourite local beaches. A walk along the cliffs to it takes about 20 minutes from the house.
229 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Praia Dona Ana
One of my favourite local beaches. A walk along the cliffs to it takes about 20 minutes from the house.
The closest beach to the house. Very fun young crowd.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa del Estudiante
The closest beach to the house. Very fun young crowd.
Meia Praia, Portugal
Drinks & Nightlife
Praia da Rocha is where the nightlife in the Algarve happens if you fancy clubbing..
315 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Praia da Rocha
Praia da Rocha is where the nightlife in the Algarve happens if you fancy clubbing..
Very lively local bar with amazing food. They also own the Mexican next door.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Baffi Bar
53 R. Cândido dos ReisVery lively local bar with amazing food. They also own the Mexican next door.
Their bar opposite the fish and chips restaurant does great cocktails.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ol' Bastard's Cocktail Bar
115 R. Cândido dos ReisTheir bar opposite the fish and chips restaurant does great cocktails.
The Cocktail bar up the stairs at the back of this restaurant does the best cocktails in Lagos (there is a side door straight to the stairs) and the DJ does fabulous chilled house. It doesn't look madly glamorous but it attracts a more sophisticated crowd and the drinks are really really good.
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dom Henrique
75 R. 25 de AbrilThe Cocktail bar up the stairs at the back of this restaurant does the best cocktails in Lagos (there is a side door straight to the stairs) and the DJ does fabulous chilled house. It doesn't look madly glamorous but it attracts a more sophisticated crowd and the drinks are really really good.
There are loads of pubs and restaurants in the marina. More an expat and older holidaymaker crowd than most of the bars in town.
152 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Marina de Lagos, Pontão B
There are loads of pubs and restaurants in the marina. More an expat and older holidaymaker crowd than most of the bars in town.
City/town information
In the eastern Algarve but it's one of my favourite towns. Super pretty and not at all touristy
27 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Estoi
In the eastern Algarve but it's one of my favourite towns. Super pretty and not at all touristy
One of my favourite towns in Algarve. Very unspoilt unlike a lot of the towns. Very close to the airport so the beaches are not great but worth a visit and with a lovely national park area for walking and biking.
309 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tavira
One of my favourite towns in Algarve. Very unspoilt unlike a lot of the towns. Very close to the airport so the beaches are not great but worth a visit and with a lovely national park area for walking and biking.
A beautiful village in the mountains with thermal springs in the valley and a bustling town with craft shops further up the mountain.
267 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monchique
A beautiful village in the mountains with thermal springs in the valley and a bustling town with craft shops further up the mountain.
Beauty Treatments
Karine is the best hair stylist I've found in Portugal and way more reasonable than Lisbon salons - she is so good she has a lot of clients (including me) who visit Lagos especially for an appt. Karine is Brazilian but speaks excellent English and I think some German and French too.
Fran is the resident Trinidadian nail technician who is absolutely meticulous about getting your nails perfect and about hygiene. I don't have nail art done but she specialises in that with some incredible creations. A normal manicure is 20€. She will do home visits for a big enough group.
K Beauty Hair
Karine is the best hair stylist I've found in Portugal and way more reasonable than Lisbon salons - she is so good she has a lot of clients (including me) who visit Lagos especially for an appt. Karine is Brazilian but speaks excellent English and I think some German and French too.
Fran is the resident Trinidadian nail technician who is absolutely meticulous about getting your nails perfect and about hygiene. I don't have nail art done but she specialises in that with some incredible creations. A normal manicure is 20€. She will do home visits for a big enough group.