Where to eat in Lagos, Portugal: what to order and where
Lagos eats fish: grilled over charcoal, or stewed with clams in a cataplana. The old town has the small restaurants, the marina has the polished ones, and the cliffs have the views. Book in summer, and take cash to the smallest kitchens.
The short answer
- Best area to eat
- The old town, in the streets behind Rua 25 de Abril, and the clifftops at Praia do Camilo.
- Order this
- A cataplana of clams and pork or seafood, or a whole grilled fish.
- When to eat
- Lunch from 12:30, dinner from 19:00. Locals sit down around 20:00 to 20:30.
- Book or walk in
- Book A Petisqueira and clifftop tables. Casinha do Petisco takes no real bookings.
- Tipping
- Service is not added. Round up or leave 5 to 10 percent for good service.
What to eat in Lagos
- CataplanaA stew of clams and pork, or of seafood, steamed in a hinged copper-style pan and served at the table. The Algarve's best-known dish.
- Grilled fishA whole sea bream, sea bass or similar, grilled over charcoal and served with potatoes and salad. Choose from the fish on ice.
- Grilled sardinesWhole sardines on the grill, best from June to September, eaten with bread and salad.
- Arroz de mariscoA wet, tomatoey seafood rice, rich and often shared. Order it for two.
- PolvoOctopus, grilled, boiled or in a salad. A common starter and a good lunch.
- Carne de porco à algarviaPork cooked with clams. It is the meat-and-shellfish pairing behind the cataplana.
- Dom RodrigoA sweet of egg threads and almonds wrapped in foil. Small and very sweet, with coffee.
- Pastel de nataThe custard tart sold in every cafe. Eat it warm with a coffee.
Where to eat in Lagos, by neighborhood
The old town
Small restaurants and tapas rooms on Rua 25 de Abril, Rua da Oliveira and the lanes around Praça Gil Eanes. Walk a few streets back from the tourist callers for better value.
Marina and Avenida
Hotel restaurants and waterfront terraces, with a few polished kitchens. Prices are higher and the views are of boats.
Praia do Camilo and the clifftops
Restaurants perched on the cliffs south of town, built for sunset. Book ahead in summer.
Places worth a booking or a queue
-
Casinha do Petisco
€€Small restaurant · Old town
OrderMixed cataplana
A family-run room on Rua da Oliveira known for its cataplana. It is small and popular, so expect to queue.
- Book
- No reliable bookings: arrive early and join the list. Cash only
Confirmed open: veloalgarve.com
-
O Camilo
€€€Seafood restaurant · Praia do Camilo
OrderGrilled fish, chosen from the display
A fish restaurant on the cliff above Praia do Camilo. You come for charcoal-grilled fish and the view.
- Book
- Book ahead for a sunset table in summer
Confirmed open: lagosportugalguide.com
-
A Petisqueira
€€€Restaurant · Old town
OrderBlack pork collar steak, or tiger prawns with lemon risotto
A modern kitchen in the old town with outdoor tables on Rua 25 de Abril. Portions are generous.
- Book
- Reserve ahead, especially for outdoor tables
Confirmed open: veloalgarve.com
-
Restaurante Mimar
€€Restaurant · Old town
OrderTuna tataki or pork cheeks
A relaxed room with fresh, mostly seafood plates and a short menu. A good value dinner in the center.
- Book
- Arrive early, or expect a short wait after 19:30
Confirmed open: veloalgarve.com
-
Avenida
€€€Hotel restaurant · Marina and Avenida
OrderThe tasting menu, or grilled mackerel with oysters
A Michelin-listed room in a hotel on the waterfront, with an open kitchen and a short set lunch on Fridays and Saturdays. The most polished dinner in town.
- Book
- Book by phone or email
Confirmed open: guide.michelin.com
Food markets in Lagos
- Mercado Municipal de LagosFish and seafood on the ground floor, fruit and vegetables above. Buy figs, oranges and local cheese, or just watch the fish come in.Monday to Saturday, 7:00 to 14:00Source: tomorrowalgarve.com
- Levante marketA Saturday market for local fruit, vegetables and farm produce, popular with residents.Saturday, 7:00 to 14:00Source: tomorrowalgarve.com
How Lagos eats
- Meal timesLunch is from 12:30 to 15:00 and dinner from 19:00. Locals eat later than visitors.
- TippingService is not added to the bill. Round up, or leave 5 to 10 percent for good service.
- Cover chargeBread, olives and butter brought to the table are charged if you eat them. Send them back if you do not want them.
- ReservationsBook clifftop and polished places in summer. Small tascas often do not take bookings, and some take cash only.
Signs of a place to walk past
Staff on the pavement calling you in, especially on Rua 25 de Abril.
Menus with photos of every dish and flags for each language.
A fish counter that is empty or has no whole fish on ice.
Eating in Lagos: questions people ask
What food is Lagos known for?
Seafood: cataplana, grilled fish and sardines in summer. Pork and clams, octopus and almond sweets are also local.
Where is the best place to eat in Lagos?
For cataplana, Casinha do Petisco. For a clifftop dinner, O Camilo. For a polished meal, Avenida. For a modern room in the old town, A Petisqueira.
Do you need to book restaurants in Lagos?
In summer, yes, for clifftop and popular places. Casinha do Petisco takes no real bookings, so arrive early.
How much do you tip in Lagos?
Service is not added. Round up, or leave 5 to 10 percent for good service.
Is Lagos expensive for food?
It is mid-range for the Algarve. Fish by weight can add up, so ask the price before you order.
Where can I buy fresh fish in Lagos?
At the Mercado Municipal on the ground floor, Monday to Saturday in the morning.