20 Best cafes and restaurants in Lagos Portugal (2023)

Did you know that the city of Lagos is heaven for foodies and coffee lovers? Discover the best cafes and restaurants in Lagos Portugal now.

Table of contents hide

1 About Lagos

2 Best restaurants in Lagos Portugal

3 Best cafes in Lagos

4 Other great places for food or drinks in Lagos

5 Book a trip to Lagos

About Lagos

Located on the Algarve’s breathtaking coast, Lagos is known for its idyllic beaches, picturesque cliffs, and lively atmosphere. But what makes this town even more fun is the great variety of cafes and restaurants you can find here.

Whether you want to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee overlooking the sea or indulge your taste buds with the most delectable Portuguese dishes, Lagos has something for everyone.

I myself stay in Lagos for two months every year and I have discovered many amazing restaurants and cafes in the city. In this article, I’ll share my personal favorites, from cozy cafes where you can have a delicious breakfast over a good cup of coffee, to special restaurants that will enchant your taste buds. I’ll share some tips on trendy cafes in the city center and unusual or traditional restaurants in the suburbs.

Good to know

In most restaurants and cafes you can pay by debit card, but in some of the more local joints (where Portuguese is mostly spoken), you might need to pay cash. Make sure to always bring some Euros (preferably in small bills or coins). There are plenty of ATMs in Lagos.

Many restaurants in Lagos are closed between November and March. Most of the time, you can find out by checking Google Maps or the restaurants website.

Best restaurants in Lagos Portugal

Are you getting hungry? These are the best restaurants in Lagos Portugal.

The Garden

Restaurant The Garden is somewhat tucked away on a quiet downtown street. It has a striking facade because of the large colorful murals. When the doors are open you immediately see the large green garden.

This lush green garden makes it a unique place to go for dinner or lunch. It has an amazing vibe with all the different seating areas. The Garden is a perfect place for lunch & dinner and they serve mostly local dishes. It’s highly recommended to make a reservation.

Address: R. Lançarote de Freitas 48
Please note that this restaurant is usually closed from November to March.

The Green Room

In the mood for delicious Mexican food? Then The Green Room is the place to be. This cozy restaurant serves tasty Mexican food and it is also very affordable. They have a set menu, but also changing specialties and they are usually even tastier. This is also a good place to have cocktails, which also taste very good here.

Address: R. António Crisógno dos Santos 51

Tasca da Lota

Restaurant Tasca da Lota is one of my favorites in this list of best restaurants in Lagos Portugal. You’ll find this seafood restaurant next to the train station by the harbor. It really is a typical Portuguese restaurant, basic, long tables, and incredibly flavorful food. The menu features mostly (super-fresh) fish, usually served with potatoes.

This is one of the most affordable restaurants in Lagos and absolutely worth checking out if you like seafood. Be aware that this is a popular place as both locals and tourists love it. Therefore, it can get very busy. Make sure to get there on time, both for lunch and dinner.

Address: Doca pesca

O Camilo

Restaurant O Camilo is located near the most beautiful beach in Lagos: Praia do Camilo. Considered one of the best restaurants in town, it overlooks the cliffs and the sea. The restaurant specializes in seafood dishes, although there are also a few tasty meat dishes on the menu. This restaurant is perfect for a romantic date.

Address: Estr. da Ponta da Piedade

BARBOSA Bar & Kitchen

Barbosa is a well-known restaurant in the center of Lagos. It is incredibly nicely decorated, with lots of wood and Portuguese tiles. You can go here for fish and meat dishes, but they also have tasty tapas. This is also a great place to go for a drink, as they have tasty wines and refreshing cocktails.

Address: R. António Barbosa Viana 17

Empanadas & Co.

Do you like empanadas? If so, be sure to eat at Empanadas & Co. This restaurant sits on a narrow street just outside the center. It is a small place with a few tables inside and a nice outdoor terrace. They specialize in empanadas (I guess you didn’t expect that!) and there are many vegetarian options on the menu.

The empanadas are very tasty and also quite filling, with two or three you will have enough. You can also order a salad with it and they have tasty local wines. A good place for an affordable lunch or dinner.

Address: R. Infante de Sagres 140

Maria Petisca

Maria Petisca is one of the best local restaurants on this list of good restaurants in Lagos. It is located just outside the city walls and they serve mostly Portuguese food. They also have some tapas on the menu and serve delicious local wines. A hidden gem that is popular with both locals and tourists (if they know how to find the restaurant).

Address: R. José Afonso 12B

The Jukebox

I almost didn’t share this one with you because this tapas joint is my absolute favorite in Lagos and I don’t want it to get too crowded. The Jukebox is a small restaurant where they serve divine tapas for a small price.

The owner is very nice and goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable. It’s not very fancy, just really good. Don’t tell anyone else, ok? Do make reservations before you go, though; they rarely have room for impromptu visits.

Address: R. Soeiro da Costa 40A

Mar d’Estórias

This is a place that not many people know about in Lagos. Although Mar d’Estórias is in the city center, not many people walk in here. That’s because it’s located above a store. The restaurant is nice, but the rooftop terrace is top-notch. From here you have a beautiful view of the rooftops of Lagos.

They have a small menu of tasty Portuguese dishes. You can choose from vegetarian, fish and meat. In addition, this is also a good place to have a drink or a cup of coffee.

Address: R. Silva Lopes 30

My Sushi

I did hesitate for a while to add this restaurant to this list of best restaurants in Lagos, but I’m doing it anyway. My Sushi is, in fact, an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant. I know some people don’t like this, but it’s my guilty pleasure.

The sushi is certainly not bad (some are even very tasty) and it is really cheap. A lunch of unlimited sushi will cost you about €12 and dinner is a little more. I’ll definitely have lunch here again when I get back to Lagos.

Address: TV. do Mar 3

Best cafes in Lagos

There are many great places in Lagos for you to enjoy a cup of coffee, tasty sweets, and fresh breakfast and lunch. What are the best cafes in Lagos? I’ll tell you all about them now.

Goji Lounge Cafe

Goji Lounge Café is a trendy place in the city center. Inside, there’s not much seating, but there’s plenty on the terrace in front of the cafe. This is a great place for lunch and breakfast, with mostly vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu. The dishes are incredibly flavorful and you can also choose from a variety of healthy smoothies.

Address: R. Marreiros Netto 61

Black and White Coffee Shop

Black and White Coffee Shop is one of the most popular coffee shops in Lagos and they serve very good coffee here. It is minimalist in design and along the windows are some long tables at which you can work with your laptop. This is also a great place for breakfast and lunch, the yogurt bowl with fresh fruit is highly recommended!

Address: R. Marreiros Netto 40

Coffee & Waves

The cozy Coffee & Waves is somewhat tucked away on the south side of downtown, but this is another fun hot spot in Lagos. As the name suggests, this is primarily a good place to drink coffee. You can also go here for smoothies and healthy bowls.

What makes this place so special is that it has a surf theme. You see surfboards everywhere, so cool!

Address: TV. do Cotovelo 10
Good to know: Coffee & Waves is often closed during the winter months.

The Studio: Coffee Roaster & Brunch Cafe

The Studio is the café I visit by far the most often. They have delicious coffee and tea here, in addition, it’s a great spot for breakfast or lunch. This café is almost always filled with remote workers, as it is the perfect café in Lagos to work in. There are many outlets and it is incredibly laptop-friendly. I often come here to write articles for this website while enjoying a nice café latte.

Address: R. Soeiro da Costa 20

The Studio_ Coffee Roaster & Brunch Cafe

Abigail’s Cafe

Do you feel like having a big filling breakfast or lunch? Make sure to go to Abigail’s! They have really delicious vegetarian food here, which is healthy and homemade. The pancakes are fantastic (and huge, a big stack is more than enough for two people) and the smoothies are also incredibly delicious. Highly recommended!

Address: R. Henrique Correia da Silva 8

Twin Fin

Twin Fin is a fairly new café on a quiet street in the center of Lagos. It is very tastefully decorated with lots of wood. Not only is it a good place for a cup of coffee or a Chai Latte, but you can also get incredibly delicious bowls and waffles with different toppings.

Address: R. Gil Vicente 36

Sunrays kitchen

Sunrays kitchen is a bit outside the city center but is definitely a nice place to visit. It is a small café with a nicely decorated terrace. Sunrays kitchen is a great place to go for breakfast and lunch or a nice cup of coffee.

The menu features many vegetarian dishes, such as homemade bread, hummus, falafel, and shakshuka. Very tasty and a perfect place if you like to try some different flavors.

Address: Praça do Poder Local 22

Tip: Discover the tastiest Portuguese dishes in Lagos on this 3-hour food tour.

Other great places for food or drinks in Lagos

Then there are some places I would like to share with you that do not fall under restaurant or cafe. These are:

Pearl Food Trailer

The Pearl Food Trailer is an oyster bar near the Marina. As the name suggests, it is a food trailer and you can sit outside on a lovely terrace, looking out over the water and watching the boats go by. This place is best known for its super tasty (local) oysters. Try the oysters with prosecco.

Address: Marina de Lagos Edifício da Administração

Lagos Pizza

Lagos Pizza is a hidden gem that I only discovered in late 2022. This is not a restaurant, but more a takeout. It is a counter on a narrow street and they sell different types of pizza. It is not expensive at all and the pizzas are perfect. Thin and flavorful! You can take the pizza back to your hotel or apartment, but it’s even more fun to eat your pizza on the beach. It is only a 5-minute walk to Praia da Batata.

Address: TV. dos Tanoeiros 5

GeIícia

In the mood for dessert after your delicious meal? Get the most delicious Italian ice cream at GeIícia. This ice cream parlor is usually open until 11 or 12 at night, so you can stop by here anytime.

Address: Largo Marquês de Pombal 20

Book a trip to Lagos

As you can see, there are many amazing cafes and restaurants in Lagos Portugal. Would you like to visit this delightful city in the south of Portugal? Then book your trip now!

✈️ Plane tickets – The nearest international airport is Faro. Check WayAway to find the best deals and get cashback on plane tickets. From the airport, it is about an hour’s drive to Lagos (via a toll road). You can also take the bus, train, or an airport shuttle.

🚘 Rental Car – The best way to explore the Algarve is by rental car. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals.

🛏️ Where to stay – There are many nice B&Bs and hotels in Lagos. Check Booking.com for all options, availability, and prices.

💊 Travel insurance – Invest in travel insurance, it will give you peace of mind during your trip. Check out Insubuy (general) or Safetywing (for digital nomads and remote workers) to find the travel insurance that fits your needs.

🏄🏼 Tours and activities – There are a lot of fun tours and activities to check out in Lagos, like a guided kayak tour to Ponta da Piedade. Check Get Your Guide for all options and prices.

20 Best cafes and restaurants in Lagos Portugal (2023)