Being a small town and usually only frequented by day trippers from surrounding areas who come to see the beautiful beaches in the area, Faro is often very lively during the day but quiet in the evening. This makes for an interesting selection of restaurants, and there are a few hidden gems. Prices in Faro's restaurants are quite cheap for Portugal due to its relatively small population.

One hidden gem in the town is the Fim de Mundo restaurant. The food here is very fresh and prepared promptly. As a family restaurant the ambiance is very nice and the service friendly. Interestingly, the menu changes slightly every night due to availability. The specialty of the restaurant is meats, and the pork ribs and grilled chicken are both highly recommended. This restaurant is a very affordable choice, with an average meal and bottle of wine totaling around 25 Euros. Fim de Mundo can be found on Rua Vasco de Gama, near the cross street of Rua de Santa Antonio.

A small family owned restaurant called Costa Algarvia is an interesting choice.  Within the restaurant you will often find several generations of family working and/or eating there. The family will feed you until you cannot eat any more, starting with tapas, plates of chorizo sausage and cured ham. By the time you finish the starters and the delicious fresh baked bread you will hardly believe that there is a main course still to come. Be sure that you save some room for the main courses which offer delectable assortments of meats prepared on the grill, such as their kebabs. An average meal with all the trimmings will cost you around 18 Euro.

For a more local and relaxed meal check out the Flor da Ameixa restaurant located near Bordeira outside Estoi. This cozy local favourite is a steal, with an average meal costing around 10 Euros. The restaurant is run by a hospitable couple, Vitor, who mans the grill, and Teresa, who does everything else! The house specialty is the catch of the day cooked on an indoor grill by Vitor, who cooks in an authentically Algarvian method. And of course the grilled meats are fantastic, also cooked in the traditional style. The atmosphere is very calm and serene, making it perfect for both locals and tourists, who mingle frequently.

Faro has many local restaurants to offer its visiting tourists, and will be a sure favorite for carnivorous wine drinkers eating (and drinking) on a budget!