A table for the day you have in mind
Our list comes from returning to Faro, finding routines and going back to places we enjoyed. Before buying the Perch, we spent 17 weeks here across six different rentals. A good meal became one of our favourite ways to get to know the city.
| The occasion | Our suggestion |
|---|---|
| Coffee and a pastel de nata | À da Sílvia, inside the municipal market |
| A relaxed Portuguese lunch | Cantina Pedro, at the market |
| Seafood after exploring the old town | Cantinho de Faro |
| A simple takeaway evening | R4bia |
| A special-occasion tasting menu | Alameda |
Coffee and lunch at the municipal market
À da Sílvia is our market-morning ritual: coffee, a pastel de nata and a welcoming smile while the building comes to life around us. Make it a pause before wandering the fish, bread, produce and spice stalls. The café is inside Mercado Municipal de Faro; the market’s directory lists À da Sílvia.
Cantina Pedro is Cynde’s market-lunch favourite. We have returned many times for classic Portuguese food, fresh fish and friendly service. We have especially enjoyed the fixed-price lunch, but the dishes and price are for the day you visit. Ask what is being served when you arrive. Find Cantina Pedro in the market directory.
These two stops work well on different days, too. Coffee and shopping can be a short morning outing; lunch deserves a little more time. Individual counters keep their own hours, so the building’s opening time is not a promise that every stall will be serving.
Old-town seafood or dinner back at the Perch
Cantinho de Faro
For a meal after wandering Cidade Velha, Cantinho de Faro is one of our repeat favourites. Our last seafood cataplana was a highlight, and we also shared the fried prawns. The service and cocktails have been part of the pleasure on our visits. It is the sort of place where we are happy to settle in after an afternoon among the old-town streets. Locate Cantinho de Faro.
R4bia
Our R4bia order is a falafel wrap, fries and a soda. We particularly like the homemade sauce, and have brought dinner home to the Perch while the fries were still warm. It is our suggestion for an uncomplicated takeaway night. Check the current menu directly, especially if you have a dietary requirement. Locate R4bia.
Alameda for a special evening
Alameda is our special-occasion choice. Chef Rui Sequeira’s cooking draws on the Algarve, and the tasting menu we experienced travelled through its towns with modern interpretations of local dishes. Cynde still talks about the miniature cataplana representing Faro. That is a memory from our meal; the current menu may take a different route.
Alameda was awarded one Michelin star in the 2026 guide. The Michelin restaurant entry is a useful introduction, and the restaurant’s own website is the place for current menus and reservations. Plan this as the main event of the evening.
Make a meal part of your Faro day
Combine the market with a walk through Faro, or leave room after dinner for our cocktail and sunset favourites. For an island lunch at Estaminé, see the Ilha Deserta guide: your boat and restaurant plans belong together.
Before you go: check the venue’s current hours, menu and reservation arrangements. Our recommendations describe our experience; dishes, prices and dietary options can change.
.jpg){kind=link}