A surfer’s review of the best restaurants and cafes in Sagres.
This is a review of all the best restaurant, cafes and bars in Sagres. A short guide to the best “after surf food” in town. Here you’ll find our 9 top picks, with details on the venue, the atmosphere, the food, the drinks and our most favourite dishes.
Surfing requires a lot of energy, and after a long, exhausting session, we all just want to relax and enjoy some good food. In my case, I sometimes feel like I surf just for the reward of a great meal afterward!
The best part is that while we can’t always predict how our surf session will go, we can plan where we’ll eat afterward. If the surf was great, I get to celebrate with good food and drinks. And if it was a total disaster? Well, at least I can still lift my spirits with a delicious meal!
Sagres: a small Town with a great Food Scene
Sagres, located in the west of the Algarve is the epicenter of the surf arena of Southern Portugal. In the heart of the Costa Vicentina National Park, Sagres is a small village that offers a ton of options to all outdoors enthusiasts.
One unique characteristic of Sagres is its perfect blend of a simple, laid-back lifestyle and a surprisingly vibrant social scene. Despite its small size, Sagres is home to a variety of bars, cafés, and restaurants, giving you plenty of options to enjoy amazing food, grab a snack between surf sessions, catch up with friends over coffee, or relax with drinks and a bit of nightlife in the evening.
Our Humble Opinion
We believe we are the right people to speak about this topic because we are absolute surf and food lovers. But most of all, Willy is an Italian food snob with extremely high standards. So he can tell you a big deal about restaurants in Sagres.
What are the best cafes, restaurants and bars in Sagres?
The Hangout
Surfy Cafe and Bar at 300 metres from our surf house
Vibes: The Hangout with its captain Emilio from Italy, is the ideal place to chill with friends or devour an authentic Italian pasta. Located in the center of Sagres, just in front of the skatepark, Hangout is a super cozy cafe / restaurant that offers proper surf vibes.
Many times, you’ll spot local surfers rehydrating after a session, making it a great place to share some good old surf talk. The Hangout also proudly sponsors up-and-coming professional surfers from Sagres, like Sassa Catarino. With great music, a friendly team, and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s definitely a spot worth checking out!
Food: Here food and drinks are just right! If you are hungry, the pasta is a must try! Pasta bowls come in portions for 2 people. However, if you have surfed enough, you can give it a go and try to finish the whole thing…we dare you to try eheh! Even to our extreme “high italian standards” the pasta here is amazing!
If you are a sweet tooth, you can go for the Panna Cotta or the Brownie, both homemade and delicious!
For the drinks Holly or Sarah from the bar will sort you out…the Espresso Martini is a bomb!
Adega Dos Arcos
Traditional Portuguese Restaurant at 1.5 km from our surf house
Vibes: Adega is the most genuine Portuguese fish restaurant you’ll find in the Algarve: here things are simple and delicious. The venue is so friendly and familiar that you might think you were having dinner at your “Portuguese parents home”.
There is no trick that can bit this authenticity: wooden benches and wooden tables, the most friendly portuguese staff and no fancy Menu. Under the wise guidance of Fabio, you’ll be able to choose what you would like to eat directly from the fridge where the fresh fish is stored.
Food: The meat and fish coming from the grill are absolutely amazing! The fish in particular is the freshest, it is cooked on the grill with only salt, easy and delicious. We especially recommend combining the fish with Adegas’s fries, green salad and the house green vine (Viño verde). With such a combo you would go on eating for hours.
If you want to take a break from the fish, then you must try the Picaña. This is a juicy Portuguese steak that can easily compete with the best beef out there!
Lastly, if you want to have a dessert we encourage you to try the almond and fig cake, with a coffee and a shot of Medronho, is the perfect way to end your Portuguese meal.
Three Little Birds
Cafe, Restaurant and Bar at 300 metres from our surf house
Vibes: Three Little Birds is another place in Sagres with a top notch atmosphere. Probably the best place in town for vegetarians and vegans since the Portuguese cuisine is not so vegetable friendly. Anyway, Three Little Birds has something from everyone, here you can grab breakfast, lunch, coffee, dinner and drinks.
On top of this, Three Little Birds is famous in Sagres for giving life to parties, concerts and events. Most Wednesdays during summer, the restaurant turns into a club, hosting musicians and DJ sets (honestly some of the best parties in town).
Food: When it comes to food, the burgers are a delight. We especially love the “Birds” signature burger, you’ll not be disappointed. While if you are more of a veggie kind of person the Portobello Mushroom burger will be your jam!
Another great thing about Three Little Birds is their strong belief in the importance of handmade and locally sourced food. They do most of their shopping at the local market and even bake their own bread. The same goes for their beer, they brew a delicious one that we highly recommend you try: The Birds Beer!
Pão Quente
Traditional Portuguese Cafe at 300 metres from our surf house
Vibes: Enter this traditional cafe and dive right into the most authentic Portuguese experience.
Pão Quente (Hot Bread) is the perfect spot for a quick breakfast or a relaxed lunch after a long surf session. The two ladies behind the counter, a mother and daughter duo, speak only Portuguese, but they’re incredibly sweet and welcoming. It’s always a joy to watch their playful, loving banter as they prepare your food.
Food: Here everything is strictly belonging to Portuguese cuisine. Breakfast is simple but delicious: pastel de nata, pastry with coconut or almond and coffee, in our eyes perfect!
Lunch is great too, you can sit in the sun while tasting a classic Bifana (traditional sandwich with pork meat marinated in lemon) or a vegetarian burger. A great aspect of Pão Quente is that, just like its cuisine, it conserves old portuguese values and prices: here you’ll be able to have a lovely meal for something like 7-8€
Holi Diwali
Typical Indian Restaurant at 800 metres from our surf house
Vibes: We agree, it is crazy to come to Sagres to eat indian food, however this will be among the best indian you have ever had. The spacious veranda is the perfect space where to eat crazy tasty dishes on a hot summer night. The staff is equally really nice and it is hard not to enjoy your dinner here.
PRO TIP: when extremely busy the wait can be long. Come early or rather late to avoid the crowd.
Food: So far we have not tried a single dish that we would not be excited about. All starters are super tasty and just perfect to get your engine started for the main dish. We strongly recommend the Veggie Masala, Butter Chicken and the Saag Paneer, together with a garlic Naan and Pilau rice!
A Sereia
Unique Portuguese Restaurant at 1 km from our surf house
Vibes: A Sereia is another MUST TRY in Sagres. One of the most incredible features of this restaurant is its location, right in the harbour, on top of the very building where fishermen unload their boats and auction off the day’s catch. In fact, from the restaurant window, you can see the auction room where people place their bids to buy fish directly from the fishermen.
It’s such a unique experience. On top of that, the team at A Sereia is incredibly friendly and speaks several languages. Just note that the restaurant is open for lunch only.
Food: It almost goes without saying that all the fish dishes here are fantastic. You simply can’t get anything fresher! The grilled fish, in particular, is incredible. And one last surprising highlight: the desserts. Even by my very high Italian standards, the tiramisu, though slightly unconventional, is absolutely incredible.
After trying it for the first time, I asked the waiter where it came from and he told me all the desserts are homemade by the owner’s grandmother. Believe it or not, they’re unbelievably delicious.
Laundry Lounge
Trendy Cafe, Restaurant and Bar at 100 metres from our surf house
Vibes: Laundry Lounge, just around the corner from our surfhouse, is a cozy café and restaurant that offers a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for chilling, meeting friends, enjoying good music, or grabbing a bite to eat. The best thing about Laundry Lounge is that it truly has something for everyone: from tasty brunches to sushi dinners and even live music.
During the summer, they host live music every Friday and Sunday evening, making it a great spot to end the day. Here you’ll find a warm, welcoming vibe here. Oh, by the way, it also offers laundry services. They really have it all!
Food: If you are into big breakfasts and brunches, Laundry Lounge will treat you well. The carrot pancakes and acai bowl are delicious and portions are ideal for hungry surfers. For dinner we strongly recommend the sushi, by far the best in town.
Bella Sagres
Pizzeria at 1.5 km from our surf house
Vibes: If you want to eat a real Italian pizza in Sagres, Bella Sagres is the place. Luigi, an expert Italian pizzaiolo, works his magic in the kitchen, while his mom, the cutest old italian lady, serves at the tables. There is no such “typical Italian experience” even in Italy itself. On top of this, Luigi, being a passionate surfer, always plays surf videos or live steam WSL events on the big televisions.
Food: Here is all about pizza and birra Peroni. The pizza is so damn good that we can even say it is the best we ever had! The style is Romana, extremely thin and crunchy. It never feels heavy, oily or too cheesy. Our favorites are the Marinara and the Tonno and Cipolla, both of them extraordinary!
Fermento
Special Italian & Portuguese Bar and Restaurant only 50 metres from our surf house
Vibes: If you really want to treat yourself or are planning a dinner date, Fermento is the place to go. The menu is tasteful and carefully curated. The Italian couple behind the restaurant has successfully created a space where Portuguese and Italian cultures beautifully come together.
Their attention to detail is truly impressive: all ingredients are either locally sourced or homemade. The wine selection is equally outstanding, Fermento offers the best in Sagres, featuring organic and unfiltered wines from Portugal.
Food: The menu is seasonal, and the chef updates it every year. We strongly encourage you to try every dish on it—yes, it’s that good! Even the simplest items, like the homemade bread, olive oil, and butter, are absolutely incredible. The pasta dishes are equally outstanding and never disappoint. But to find out exactly what’s on the menu this year, you’ll just have to go and taste it for yourself!
