Cheap Eats in the Algarve: Five of the Best

The Algarve is arguably one of the most beautiful beach locations in the world and is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. Located in south western Portugal,  it is home to both picturesque ancient fishing villages and totally modern luxury purpose built resorts and it is the unique charm of the contrast of the ancient and modern, the natural and the manmade that offers visitors and locals alike a  unique  dining out experience.

Quality is not Compromised by Cost

Whilst the rich and famous love to frequent the resorts and enjoy luxury facilities many families appreciate the variety of traditional dining options that the region has to offer at excellent prices.  Whether choosing to dine in one of the big cities like Faro (home of the region’s international airport) or in one of the many quaint towns and villages, visitors will find the unique Portuguese dining experience unforgettable and will soon discover their own personal favourites amongst the many dining options available to them at a price to suit their holiday budget.

Five of the Best

A hunt for five of the best cheaper dining options in the Algarve must begin in Faro.  Here a modern bustling city is home to popular international fast food outlets, fish and chip shops and traditional Portuguese fare.  There is a large international student population in Faro, so there are plenty of international food outlets catering to those who enjoy foods from around the world.   Traditional Portuguese restaurants offer seafood dishes that are locally caught, making this region  a seafood lovers heaven.

For diners who prefer a more traditional setting to eat out, the city of Albufeira just a few kilometres west of Faro offers the dual attraction of beautiful scenery and excellent priced local cuisines that will please most people’s culinary tastes.  Seafood, chicken and steak based menus abound in this region.  The famous “The Strip” is the centre of activity for those looking for excellent food at an excellent price in the city.

Golfers who are visiting the Golfing Academy will find a restaurant in the Academy that caters for a variety of tastes and at a very competitive price.  It provides an excellent opportunity to sharpen golfing skills and a sensibly priced business or family lunch that offers a range of menu options.

The Portuguese love sardines and no trip to this country in June would be complete without visiting the river in Portimeo during the day and indulging in fresh sardines as a unique cultural experience.  This is the perfect way to enjoy an inexpensive traditional lunch with glorious scenery and a sense of dining with the locals.

For those looking for a smaller traditional feast the village of  Ferreiras near Albafeira offers visitors The “Restaurante Escondidinho – Ferreiras”.. which translated is aptly called “The Hidden Restaurant.”   Most taxi drivers know how to find the restaurant and a visit is certainly recommended by many British and European tourists to the region for quality and good priced meals.

With such a range of menus and prices available for those seeking to visit what is traditionally known as a holiday destination for the rich and famous, this beautiful region of Europe offers an affordable holiday destination for most people and is well worth a consideration for that next family holiday.

Citations:

• Creative Commons Photo by Scott Roberts

If you are planning on visiting the Algarve whether with your family or just as a solo traveller, be sure to check out the Owner’s Direct website first.  There are a wide range of Loule self catering villas to suit all tastes and needs.

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