Algarve Food . . .

Food

Portuguese cuisine offers a large variety of dishes. One very traditional dish is Bacalhau, salted cod, which is cooked in a variety of ways and is always worth trying. Grilled Sardines are an ever popular fish dish with locals and visitors alike and there is little to beat freshly caught Sardines grilled as soon as they arrive in the fishing ports. The best time to eat them is early morning when the fishing fleet returns to harbour. Two other fish specialities in the Algarve are grilled Tuna or Shellfish cooked in a copper steamer known as a "cataplana" with herbs and pork.

Popular meat dishes include various styles of Porco (Pork), Borrego (Lamb) and Cabrita (Goat) not forgetting the famous Churrasqueira (spit grilled) Frango (chicken). A variety of soups and stews are also available together with roast dishes, especially Pork.

There are so many different dishes available, most visitors should have no difficulty in choosing an enjoyable meal. The Algarve also benefits from having many foreign restaurants, so if your taste buds suffer from homesickness you can easily find British, Chinese, Indian or Italian meals. Vegetarian menus are not widely found, however there are no shortage of salad or fish dishes on normal menus that will be suitable for most vegetarians.

Portugal is also a mecca for anybody having a sweet tooth. Look for some of the traditional Algarve "sombremesas" (sweets) including, Almond cake, Orange cake, Tarte de Natas, Pudim and Molotoff. Portuguese people generally eat fairly late by Northern European standards. Lunch is normally eaten between 12.00 and 15.00 hours

and Dinner is usually between 20.00 to 23.00 hours. Most restaurants open around 19.30 hours. Unlike Northern Europe it is very unlikely you will find non-smoking areas within restaurants as this is not a common practice in Portugal.