Bon Appetit

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• Carlos's Bar read more ›
  (Praia Grande, Galé. Tel. 282 316 966)
  Laid-back beach shack offering snacks, salads and fresh fish with a beach view and an endless horizon.
• Pizza Pazza read more ›
  (Pedralva. Tel. 282 639 173)
  Possibly the best pizza in the Algarve, in the village that epitomises the hip/hippie atmosphere of Portugal's wild west. About a 15-kilometre journey from Sagres.
• Oscars read more ›
  (Vila Sol Shopping, Vilamoura. Tel. 936 913 790)
  Traditional pub where all dishes on the menu cost less than €9. Quiz nights, live music and great beer-battered fish 'n' chips.
• Quinta da Calma read more ›
  (Estrada Almancil-Faro. Tel. 289 393 741)
  Alternative therapy centre with a café that serves tasty, great-value vegetarian lunches, with produce from the restaurant's own organic gardens.
• Ramires read more ›
  (14 Rua de Abril, Guia. Tel. 289 561 232)
  The original and best piri-piri restaurant in the Algarve's 'Capital of Chicken'. Cavernous, noisy and a bit touristy-but hard to beat.
• Chill Inside read more ›
  (7 Praceta Município, Lagoa. Tel. 282 080 701)
  The weekday lunch menu is a steal-Portuguese specials, a salad, drink and coffee for €6.50. Chill Inside also offers crêpes, waffles and cakes for the sweet-toothed.

• Mariscos e Petiscos read more ›
  (Rua Comandante Henrique Tenreiro, Cabanas. Tel. 281 370 722)
  Heaven for seafood-lovers, Mariscos e Petiscos overlooks the waterfront and is so good, even the Spanish cross the border to eat here. The locally-caught shellfish platter for two easily feeds three.
• Eira do Mel read more ›
  (Estrada do Castelejo, Vila do Bispo. Tel. 282 639 016)
  Aligned with the slow-food movement, serving authentic Algarvean food: wild boar stew with red wine, rabbit cataplana and great fish.
• Café Correira read more ›
  (4 Rua 1º de Maio, Vila do Bispo. Tel. 282 639 127)
  Tuck in to typical local cuisine, including great fish and stews. The service can be entertaining, but worth it for the food.
• Buzios read more ›
  (Dom Pedro Marina Hotel, Praia da Vilamoura. Tel. 289 314 762)
  Attractive beach club with a laid-back terrace. Good fish and seafood, plus the usual suspects.
• Mouras Encantadas read more ›
  (Rua Miguel Bombarda, Paderne. Tel. 289 368 797)
  Food like mother used to make, if she's Portuguese. Good, solid rib-sticking rustic fare. Huge portions-you could split one serving between two. But don't miss the home-made desserts.
• Prima Pasta read more ›
  (Estrada Vale de Parra, Albufeira. Tel. 289 591 295)
  Italian trattoria serving sizzling pizzas, fresh pasta dishes and mouth-watering home-made desserts. Low-key, unpretentious and good value.

• Veneza read more ›
  (Mem Moniz, Paderne. Tel. 289 367 129)
  Authentic Algarvean cooking - clams, bean soups, wild rabbit and kid cooked in the oven - combined with an award-winning wine shop help to make this family business deservedly popular. Book ahead.
• O Limoeiro read more ›
  (210 Avenue Duarte Pacheco, Almancil. Tel. 289 395 399)
  Tasty, home-made dishes combining the best of Portuguese and British styles: paté with oatcakes, pork with clams, lamb shank, alcoholic sorbets. Relaxing, friendly atmosphere. The courtyard garden is perfect for lazy lunches and summer evenings.
• A Colina read more ›
  (Quinta do Torre, Almancil. Tel. 289 358 792)
  Owner Lee was head chef at The Savoy in London, so expectations are high - but he delivers. The traditional three-course Sunday lunch is great value. Lovely location, with superb terrace and views.
• Lotus read more ›
  (13 Rua Fonseca de Almeida, Lagoa. Tel. 282 352 098)
  Traditional businessman's favourite: it hasn't changed in 20 years. Portuguese food at its best. Great lobster rice and a good choice of dishes of the day. Practice your Portuguese: ask for recommendations and maybe try something you've never heard of before.
• Bistro des Z'Artes read more ›
  (69 Rua Calvario, Almancil. Tel. 919 407 366)
  Talented new Irish chef-patron Jonnie takes over this intimate bistro with enthusiasm and passion, offering inventive, imaginative and beautifully presented food at great prices. The €35 tasting menu gives an idea of his diverse range.
• Gigi Praia read more ›
  (Praia do Quinta do Lago . Tel. 964 045 178)
  The location-on the Ria Formosa-and the food don't get much better. Keep an eye out for celebs while you enjoy some of the best fish in the Algarve, with opera playing in the background. The prices don't quite match the down-to-earth beach bar ambience, but then you are in Quinta, darling.

• La Place read more ›
  (Praça, Vale do Lobo. Tel. 289 353 356)
  French-Moroccan chef Maurice Belhaj cooks up a delight in this ocean-view restaurant at the resort's heart. Exceptional food and great holiday memories. Must-try dishes include bourride of prawns, crayfish and scallops served with artichoke ravioli.
• L'Orangerie read more ›
  (Vila Monte Hotel, Moncarapacho. Tel. 289 790 790)
  This Arabian-styled restaurant in a hidden hotel is run by a Portuguese team with a Michelin-star in Lisbon. Temptations include mushroom strudel or monkfish with chicory cream and home-made orange marmalade.
• Mirandus read more ›
  (Vivenda Miranda Hotel, Porto de Mós, Lagos. Tel. 282 763 222)
  Swiss chef Damian Beck creates luscious food: try his five-course degustation menu at €45. Modern yet romantic, with stunning coastal views, this is a real hidden secret. Great for celebrations.
• Couleur France read more ›
  (Vale de Eguas, Almancil. Tel. 289 399 515)
  Modern, bright, minimalist, Couleur France serves some of the best food to hit the Algarve in years. The eclectic and satisfying evening menu keeps repeat business high and you can enjoy the outside terrace on warm evenings. Try the rack of lamb stuffed with foie gras. There's a great wine list, too.
• Monte do Casal - Old Coach House read more ›
  (Monte do Casal Hotel, Estoi. Tel. 289 991 503 )
  Classical, slightly old-fashioned but charming place, taking you back in time to family celebrations at the posh local. From foie gras to chateaubriand, this is a romantic, dress-up-and-splurge venue, with a seven-course degustation menu at €54, including an option for vegetarians. Beautiful terrace for warmer evenings or sunny lunches.
• Sao Gabriel read more ›
  (Estrada Vale do Lobo-Quinta do Lago. Tel. 289 394 521)
  Greeted by the formidable and fantastic Susy, it's wise to come hungry (and meat-loving) to this Michelin starred Germanic paradise. Pheasant, quail, 30-hour cooked beef and no pretensions make this a great place to celebrate without feeling intimidated.

After Dark

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• Paradise Beach Club read more ›
  (Praia Vale do Garrao. Tel. 289 396 837)
  Vale do Lobo without the prices, perched above a great beach. Ideal for a cooling drink after a hot day.
• Mirador read more ›
  (Sheraton Algarve. Tel. 289 500 100)
  Outdoor clifftop bar with vertigo-inducing views over Falesia Beach. Treat yourself to a glass of bubbly as the sun goes down.
• Memmo Baleeira Hotel read more ›
  (Baleeira, Sagres. Tel. 282 624 212)
  Sundowners require great views and this Design Hotel doesn't disappoint, with a funky bar and terrace offering sweeping Atlantic vistas.
• Cocktail Garden read more ›
  (54 Monte Carvoeiro. Tel. 282 084 246)
  Friendly bar, with spectacular Tom Cruise-style bartending from owner Luis and inventive cocktails on the menu.
• Faro e Benfica read more ›
  (Marina, Faro. Tel. 289 821 422)
  People (and boat) watch while sipping a white port as an apéritif. Served ice cold like its Spanish neighbour fino, but smoother.
• Cheers read more ›
  (79 Rua dos Pescadores, Carvoeiro. Tel. 936 212 773)
  American cocktails, Champagne by the glass and Cuban cigars-get the party started here.

• The Lounge Bar read more ›
  (Boliqueime. Tel. 289 369 004)
  The Algarve's Got Talent: there's a jazz jam session every Friday evening, with new artists encouraged to join in.
• São Brás Museum read more ›
  (61 Rua Dr Jose Dias Sancho, São Brás de Alportel. Tel. 966 329 073)
  Swing, bebop, flamenco, fado and Brazilian jazz all feature on the playlist at this intriguing jazz club, on the third Sunday evening of every month.
• Johnny Hooper's Saxophone Bistro read more ›
  (30 Rua Almeida Garrett, Albufeira. Tel. 963 176 635)
  Relaxed bar/restaurant featuring the eponymous owner on stage every Tuesday and Friday night, plus Latino and blues bands every Sunday afternoon.
• Seattle Style read more ›
  (Alvor Harbour. Tel. 282 457 940)
  The regular line-up of jazz and blues-tinged acts includes Canadian chanteuse Annette Gold, groups Bossanova and Evidence, and lots of New Orleans-style jazz bands.
• Panoramico read more ›
  (Praia Verde, Monte Gordo. Tel. 281 956 207)
  Enjoy one of the best views in the Algarve and listen to fado-the soulful, traditional music of Portugal-every Thursday at 8pm.
• Stevie Ray's read more ›
  (9 Rua Senhora Graca, Lagos. Tel. 282 768 086)
  Atmospheric bar, open six nights a week, with live music on Friday and Saturday by superb jazz and blues artists.

• Kadoc read more ›
  (Estrada de Vilamoura. Tel. 289 360 485)
  Midway between Vilamoura and Albufeira - follow the light beams circling overhead - the Algarve's largest nightclub attracts big-name DJs and summer is serious party-time. Pass the foam.
• Le Club read more ›
  (Praia de Santa Eulalia, Albufeira. Tel. 289 598 000)
  Chic beachfront nightspot that comes into its own in summer. Dine at the restaurant, sip cocktails at the bar and party into the early hours on the dance floor.
• Wild & Co read more ›
  (Avenida Sa Carneiro, Albufeira. Tel. 289 583 540)
  Wild by name and definitely wild by nature. One of the most popular bars on The Strip, with live music and creative cocktail shows.
• T Clube read more ›
  (Buganvilia Plaza, Quinta do Lago. Tel. 289 396 751)
  Piano bar, Japanese restaurant, lounge garden and late-late disco that draws a crowd spanning the age spectrum. Top DJs grace the turntables at one of the Algarve's hippest places.
• Millennium III read more ›
  (23 Rua do Prior, Faro. Tel. 289 823 628)
  Large warehouse-style club with DJs and live music. Plays a mix of mainstream and Latin, but beware-nothing happens until midnight.
• Discoteca Ubi read more ›
  (Rua Almirante Candido Reis, Tavira. Tel. 281 324 577)
  Heavy house and trip-hop music packs in the serious clubbers until dawn-nothing to do with the bizarre theme nights and wild foam parties, then.

This month...

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Tips

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