How to Plan a Trip
Best Restaurants in Lagos, Portugal
November 22, 2022
Please note that this post may contain affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward me a small commission – at no extra cost for you.
Lagos, a coastal town on the Algarve coast of Portugal, is home to some of the best restaurants. From traditional Portuguese seafood restaurants to trendy coffee shops, you’re sure to find something you like in Lagos. Looking for where to dine in Lagos? This guide will cover the 10 best restaurants in Lagos, Portugal that you won’t want to miss!
10 best restaurants in Lagos, Portugal
Casinha do Petisco (the best restaurant in Lagos)
If you only eat at one place in Lagos, make it Casinha do Petisco. This family run restaurant cooks up some of the most delicious seafood in town – with massive portions. Plus, the service is absolutely phenomenal with the friendliest wait staff and chef.
Make sure to either make a reservation or show up to put your name on the waitlist right when they open. If you do need to wait a bit for a table, head down the street to Travia for a glass of natural Portuguese wine.
The most popular dish is the Cataplana – a traditional seafood stew. Priced between €34-36 for two people, this dish is massive and can easily serve a family of 4. We went with the mixed clams and shrimp cataplana and it was phenomenal.
If you’re looking for something else on the menu, we absolutely loved the clams and shrimp/ in speciality sauce (€19,50) – a thick garlic sauce, perfect for dipping the side of roasted potatoes that comes with your meal. We also tried the grilled salmon, another menu winner. After dining at Casinha do Petisco numerous times, I would be surprised to find something on the menu that wasn’t delicious! Plus, a bottle of their delicious house wine is only €9.
Casinha do Petisco is cash only so make sure to come prepared.
Coffee & Waves
If you want something a bit healthier for breakfast than your standard tart, Coffee & Waves is my favorite cafe in Lagos. Step through the doors and you’ll be transported to a surf town.
Delicious matcha, acai bowls topped with berries and fresh fruit – plus they even sell my favorite reusable, collapsible mugs from Stojo and a great selection of natural wines.
It is a great place to get some work done, but they typically only have 1 table at a time that allows laptops.
Travia – Natural Wines & Food
Travia is a newer spot in Lagos that offers a selection of small plates and Portuguese natural wines. They typically have a red, wine, orange and rose glass pour option ranging from €5-7per glass, plus a wide selection of additional bottles.
We loved this bar so much that we came back multiple times throughout our trip.
The roasted carrots with hazelnuts and labneh is a great small plate to compliment your wine.
Mosto Wine Bar & Shop
With a huge selection of wines, Mosto is a wine bar & shop located outside the Old Town walls in xx. They have a decent selection of natural wines (which are my favorites), and well as many other more standard bottles of wine.
They also offer a number of small plates, some larger than others, if you are interested in having dinner at Mosto. We ordered the grilled octopus and the shrimp moqueca, boh of which were small but delicious.
Cervejaria Ferradura
Cervejaria Ferradura is an old-school bar and eatery in Lagos. The menu rotates daily based on what is available in the glass fridge. If the clams are there through, they are a must! Easily some of the best clams that I’ve ever eaten – €19 for the plate!
This spot is no-frills and cash only. Your food is served to you as you sit at the horseshoe-shaped bar. If you swing by on the day of a match, be prepared for a loud, rowdy drunken crowd of older Portuguese men.
Black and White Coffee Shop
Black and White Coffee Shop was the very first place that we stopped in Lagos – for an afternoon pick me up in the form of a chai latte after the drive from Lisbon. It definitely didn’t disappoint. The cafe is large and airy – with both cafe bites, bowls, and an extensive list of coffee and tea based drinks.
You’ll find plenty of young expats hanging out on laptops – sipping oat milk lattes.
Restaurante a Forja
A classic, no-frills traditional Portuguese restaurant, Restaurante a Forja is easily one of the best restaurants in Lagos. We ordered one of the fish specials, which was grilled and served for two with potatoes and salad. The house wine flows freely here, cheap and delicious.
The cover plate with bread, butter, cheese and pate is priced a bit high, so only eat it if you are willing to pay for it – as with most places in Portugal, this is not complimentary.
Goji Lounge Cafe
We didn’t get a chance to stop by Goji Lounge Cafe, however I have consistently heard great things for a delicious, healthy breakfast. We had a daily breakfast served at our bed & breakfast, which limited our cafe visits in Lagos.
Taninos Wine & Kitchen
While we didn’t have a chance to try any of the food here, the wine is delicious and poured with a heavy hand. A large glass of wine goes for €4, with more expensive options available of course as well. They have both indoor and outdoor seating.
Casa do Prego
Unfortunately this is another spot that I didn’t get the chance to visit myself (because we couldn’t help going back to Cashino di Petiscos one more time), but wanted to include anyway. I have heard raving reviews about the food at Casa do Prego, specifically the tapas. Be sure to try the tuna steak and the beetroot hummus.
Visiting Portugal? Here are some other articles to check out:
- Getting from Lisbon to Lagos, Portugal
- Hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
- 3 Days in Porto, Portugal
- First Timers Guide to Lisbon
Like what you read about the best restaurants in Portugal? Make sure to Pin it for later!
