A guide to the best restaurants in Sao Joao

Sao Joao is a lively area in the district of Albufeira. There’s a main party strip with many bars and clubs, and surrounding this street is a good selection of restaurants that make Sao Joao a great choice for holidays to the Algarve. Seafood is locally caught and regularly found on menus, while many of the venues serve international cuisine including familiar offerings such as steaks, burgers and even fish and chips.

Good value at The Cockerel Country Kitchen

It’s highly recommended that you book a table in advance if you want to eat at this traditional and popular restaurant. They serve international food including fish and chips, spare ribs, steak pie and much more. And the portions are generous so don’t overload on starters.

A taste of Italy at Old Italy

If you’re into Italian food, this is a fantastic family-run restaurant owned by Joseph and Vera. Expect to feel like one of the family by the time you leave, as is the Italian way. They offer homemade pizzas and pastas and the venue has an old-worldly look and feel about it.

Spicy Indian food at Clay Oven

If you’re after some traditional Indian food, this is the place to head. This family-run business serves all the usual dishes including tikkas, baltis and kormas. Expect rich and enticing flavours served the traditional way.

Make your own dinner at The Sizzling Stone

Set in a traditional white stucco building, this restaurant offers a cook-your-own-food experience. Whether you go for steak, pork medallions or seafood, it will be brought out on a sizzling plate and you cook it as much or as little as you like. This is a popular restaurant with a nice outdoor space and they also serve cocktails.

Sea views at tapas venue Restaurante Vivaldo's

Portugal holidays aren’t complete until you’ve sampled some tasty tapas. This is a good choice if you’re looking for this traditional dish, as well as plenty of seafood options such as giant prawns with garlic. It’s also located near the beach, which means you can enjoy a romantic star-lit dinner with views to the Atlantic Ocean with a sangria in your hand.

Special deals at Paulus' Pizzeria

This restaurant serves traditional Italian fare including spaghetti bolognaise and delicious thin-crust pizzas. They often have special deals with alcohol, and are generally very accommodating to your needs so will adapt the menu if needed. Sit in the outdoor terrace on those balmy evenings.

A casual dining experience at Neto's

Located just north of the beach, this casual snack bar and restaurant serves great omelettes in the mornings. When the evening arrives try the traditional Portuguese kebabs called espetadas, which are hung on meat skewers on your plate, as well as the many popular fish dishes.

Enjoy familiar fare at The Cottage Restorante and Grill

The ideal place if you’re searching for something familiar and hearty, you can even get a Sunday roast at this casual diner located near the sea. Open all day, they serve a full English breakfast, egg and chips, burgers and jacket potatoes with all your favourite fillings, and don’t miss happy hour.

Have a game of pool at Templo lounge Bar

This cosy venue is open all day serving international food including curries and Portuguese dishes such as seafood. It’s also a popular bar where you can order beer or choose from a varied selection of popular cocktails. They have two pool tables outside and Sky Sports.

Nice views from the balcony at Invictus

Take a seat on the first floor balcony for some lovely views of the area and order from their international menu. They serve steak and chips, lamb chops, seafood, and sugary desserts including a gooey chocolate pudding, and they also provide a children’s menu.