The Algarve, which is located on Portugal's south coast offers pristine beaches and blue sea, sleepy villages and has the largest number Michelin Star restaurants in the country.
The Algarve's food is inspired by the sun, earth and ocean and on using organic fresh, honest and localised ingredients.
Fresh daily catches often include cockles, clams, oysters, squid, sea bass, sea bream, mackerel, or sardines.
In many Algarve fish restaurants, the catch of the day is sold by weight.
Cataplana is a local dish made of mussels, clams, chorizo, bacon, garlic, onions and olive oil or Caldeirada, a fish stew.
Inland, poultry and pork, fresh vegetables and dried pulses are ingredients in many local dishes.
Traditional plates are slow-cooked meat stews, with pulses and fresh vegetables, smoked and cured meats and traditional Algarvian bread.
Bread baking is an important part of the culture as is wine, cheese and pastries.
In the summer, fig and orange trees are ready to be harvested and fill the air with a delicate sweet scent.
In September, it is time for the traditional almond crop which dry naturally, un-skinned, in the sun on the roof terraces and, in autume, the chestnuts are ripe.
Wine in the Algarve
The Algarve region's four wine DOCs are Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa and Tavira.
Among the fine dining opportunities on the Algarve :
Michelin Star Restaurants
There are seven Michelin stars in the Algarve:
Ocean
Chef Hans Neuner who runs Ocean at the Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa has been named Portugal's chef of the year.
www.vilavitaparc.com/en/restaurants-and-bars/ocean-restaurant
Vila Joya
Chef Dieter Koschina at Vila Joya Hotel secured the World's Leading Fine Dining Hotel Restaurant awar in 2020 for the third time.
www.vilajoya.com/en/cuisine/dieterkoschina
Vista
Chef João Oliveira, at the Bela Vista Hotel & Spa, was awarded the Chef de L'Avenir prize in May 2019 by the International Academy of Gastronomy, which annually recognises the work of promising young chefs.
The restaurant offers national and Mediterranean cuisine.
Gusto by Heinz Beck
Gusto by Heinz Beck at the Conrad Algarve, Quinta do Lago offers Mediterranean cuisine/dishes with a '21st century modern flair'.
Heinz Beck, one of Europe's three-Michelin-star chefs runs the open kitchen with alfresco dining available on the terrace.
Vistas
Chef Rui Silvestre, runs Vistas at the Monte Rei Golf & Country Club.
Rui, at 29, was the youngest chef in Portugal to win his first Michelin Star.
São Gabriel
Leonel Pereira is chef at São Gabriel, in Almancil, which has been Michelin Star for 15 consecutive years.
www.sao-gabriel.com/sao-gabriel-restaurante-algarve-eng
Bon Bon
Chef Louis Anjos, who runs Bon Bon in Carvoeiro, offers an 11-course dinner menu.
www.bonbon.pt/en
The Estamine, Barreta Island
Barreta Island, which is about 7 kilometres long and 50 to 600 metres wide, is also known as Deserta (Deserted Island) or Santa Maria Cape Island and is one of the Algarve's more isolated.
The Estamine restaurant here serves Algarvian cuisine, including a selection of fresh fish, seafood andwines.
www.ilhadeserta.com/estamine-restaurant and www.ilhadeserta.com
Boat trips to the island are offered by :
www.iseacharter.com/lagoon-400-s2 and www.skipper.pt/en/frota-barcos-iates/passeio-de-barco-algarve/diamond