Algarve Restaurants

Vila Joya is a 2-star Michelin restaurant located on the Algarve overlooking the ocean in the town of Albufeira. Highly acclaimed Austrian chef Dieter Koschina was awarded his first Michelin star in 1995, and earned his second star in 1999. His restaurant is popular with European foodies, as it is one of only a few restaurants in Portugal to achieve 2-star status. Among other accolades, Vila Joya was the only restaurant in Portugal to appear in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list (2014). To view the complete 2014 list, click here.

Chef Koschina arrived in the Algarve in 1991 and established Vila Joya. He is known for using the freshest ingredients from regional farms and the sea, and is inspired by combining fabulous Portuguese produce with northern European techniques to create truly original and delicious dishes. His cuisine highlights his immense creativity and technical mastery, which he honed in leading establishments in Vienna and Germany, prior to his arrival in Portugal. Examples of his dishes include guinea fowl stuffed with black truffles and artichokes, and Portugal’s emblematic bacalhau confited and paired with beetroot coulis and yogurt.

Estrada da Galé
Albufeira (Algarve), Portugal
Phone: +351 289 591 795
Website: Vila Joya

Photo credit: Vila Joya Restaurante

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Located in the heart of the historic town of Lagos, on a pedestrian cobblestone street not far from the waterfront, you will find Don Sebastião Restaurante.

Since opening in 1979, the restaurant has attracted a loyal following of customers who come for the traditional Portuguese cuisine, fresh seafood, and local ambiance with warm, friendly service. The interior dining rooms feature a rustic décor with traditional brick archways, or you can dine al fresco on the lovely outdoor terrace.

The menu features locally sourced ingredients, such as fish, shrimp, crabs, oysters and other seafood that come in daily on the local fishing boats. If you prefer meat, you can also find a selection of traditional Portuguese dishes, including pork chops with figs, or a hearty lamb stew with red wine. To accompany your meal you can select from the extensive wine list.

The owner’s collection of over 240 varieties of Portuguese wines is stored in the restaurant’s own underground wine cellar. Special tours of the cellar and wine tastings can be arranged with advance notice.

Rua 25 de Abril, 20-22
Lagos, Portugal
Phone: +351 (282) 780 480
Website: Don Sebastião

Photo credit: Don Sebastião Restaurante

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

On the Menu…Vila Joya Restaurante, Albufeira (Portugal)

On the Menu…Don Sebastião Restaurante, Lagos (Portugal)