Introduction
Fuseta is full of restaurants, full of places to eat.
From the odd fast food place (which to be honest, is never that fast and all the better for it!), to some of the best seafood you can find, thanks to the local fishermen – with not a lot in between.
In summer, it gets quite busy, especially around the square, but I’ve never really struggled to find a table.
What a lot of people struggle with is perhaps the lack of variety.
There are many restaurants here, but most of them seem to offer much the same fare: Dourada (Sea Bream), Robala (Sea Bass), Salmao (Salmon), Espadarte (swordfish), Bachalau (Cod), Sardinhas (Sardines), Porco e Ameijoas (pork and clams), Porco Preto (black pork) and so on.
But despite this lack of variety I still think the food is excellent, often cooked on the coals a few yards from where you’re eating – something which certainly makes my mouth water!
My Favourite Portuguese Restaurant
On the Quayside there are a couple of great restaurants: Casa Corvo and Cafe dos Mestres. They both serve pretty much the same menu for pretty much the same price, so take your pick.
Then round the corner, you have O Pedro and Mesaria, neither of which I’ve tried, unfortunately.
On the Square you have a number of restaurants, again, all with similar menus.
A bit further out, you have Restaurant Crispim, which I’ve heard good things about but not tried, and Mo de Cima which also offers accommodation under the name: Moinho das Mares. If you go here for a drink, sit outside and enjoy the wonderful view across the water down to the quay.
Up near the train station (Fuseta-A) you have Ponte Grande. It’s got a great reputation, but someone tells me that it’s just changed hands, so I will have to try it again.
Then down at the front of the village is a small parade of restaurants and cafes, including Nuno’s, O Trevo and Nino’s.
They’re all fairly similar, but I do have a favourite – Nuno’s.
Because the food is better? Probably not.
Because the food is cheaper? Not really, although this summer they’ve had a fantastic deal on for a plate of mixed grilled fish, with chips and salad for €5.50 – I’m not sure you could beat that!
No, the reason that I like Nuno’s is because of Nuno.
I’ve mentioned before that our daughter is Special Needs, and when she eats, it can be like a mini food explosion around her! She also likes to throw a glass (or plate!) or two.
So when we first went to Nuno’s we were a bit nervous. We made sure that we were at a table that would allow us to hem Beth in so that she couldn’t grab anything, we cleared the table of glasses and plates and ordered food and drinks with fingers crossed.
Beth did well, she didn’t break anything, but she did make a mess – oh boy did she make a mess…
So when the waitress came to clear the table we apologised and offered to help, but she just laughed and said: “Nao faz mal!” (“No problem!”).
She then wandered away to get the bill.
It was Nuno who brought the bill back out. He had a big smile on his face.
“Really, no problem!” he said before we could say anything, “Come back anytime!”
You really wouldn’t understand how nice it was to hear him say that, and so we have. We’ve gone back many times.
I love the Porco Preto Espetada (Black Pork on a skewer), and Sue likes the Camarao (Prawns), and we both love the fish, all of which is cooked on coals outside by the tables.
And as a bonus for the girls, they also serve pizza!
Update: Apparently, Nuno has now sold up! Nightmare! So…
My Favourite Portuguese Restaurant (#2)
So I’ll have to think again – but not for long…
I’ve already mentioned Casa Corvo and Cafe dos Mestres on the quayside, but closer to the Mercado, next to the fishing boats, you’ll find another little gem – A Lota.
The fish is always beautifully cooked – on coals, right next to where you are seated. The staff are friendly (a Brazilian friend of mine works there – Anna), and they take their lives in their hands daily to serve you! The restaurant is on one side of the road and the seated area (under umbrellas to shade you from the sun) the other. You can watch the staff skipping backwards and forwards with salads and drinks. Worth a tip in itself!
Why do I prefer it to Casa Corvo and Cafe dos Mestres? I’ll be honest – there isn’t much in it. They serve the same type of food, and the same drinks. But I find A Lota more authentic, and because it’s a little further away from the beach and next to the Mercado, you have more chance of getting a table.
But I have to say, in summer, people are queuing for tables at all three restaurants, so get there early!
Blinking Flamingos Favourite Local Restaurant:
A Lota
Hours: Daily – 12pm–12am, although may close between lunch and dinner and when not busy; Thursday – Closed
Address: Largo 1° de Maio, 8700-038 Fuseta, Portugal
Phone: +351 964 657 449
Website: A Lota
My Favourite Hamburger Joint
There aren’t a huge number of restaurants in Fuseta if you are looking for something different to standard Portuguese fare, but in Rua Tenente Barroso, between the Square and the Mercado, you’ll find Hamburgueria Do Largo.
All I can say is great burgers, great chips (all tasting home-made), great health drinks, great Tiramisu, great staff and great service – and probably the most impressive floor in Fuseta! Go and have a look!
Blinking Flamingos Favourite Hamburger Joint:
Hamburgueria Do Largo
Hours: Open 12:55–3pm and 6:55–11pm except for Wednesday when it’s closed – may well close out of season
Address: R. Ten. Barroso nº48, 8700-041 Fuseta, Portugal
Phone: +351 289 794 020
Website: Hamburgueria Do Largo
My Favourite Vegetarian Restaurant
(ie not run by Portuguese)
I’ve already mentioned A Concha in Rua da Liberdade, in 6 Best Places to Drink in Fuseta. It’s a lovely French bar and restaurant with a stunning garden at the back – definitely a contender. But I’ve decided to spread the love.
So I’ve chosen Escandinavia – Green Spirit, a Vegetarian restaurant with a great reputation. You’ll find it in Rua Tenente Barroso.
It’s small but cosy, a family-friendly restaurant with lovely staff – a great alternative for those looking for something different.
It’s down by the Mercado, where old ladies sit outside their front doors and watch the world go by.
It’s on a pedestrianised street, so no traffic rushing by, or cars parked on the pavement next to you
During the summer, musicians come round and play, adding to the atmosphere.
It’s lovely and well worth a visit.
Blinking Flamingos Favourite Vegetarian Restaurant:
Escandinavia – Green Spirit
Hours: Open 12–2:30pm and 6:30–10pm, except for Tuesdays (when it’s closed and Wednesdays (when it is only open from 6:30–10pm)
Address: R. Ten. Barroso 11, 8700-041 Fuseta, Portugal
Phone: +351 289 721 190
Website: Escandinavia – Green Spirit
My Favourite Takeaway
To be honest, there aren’t many takeaways in Fuseta.
I’m sure that you can take food away from many of the restaurants and cafes, but in terms of actual takeaways, there’s only a couple I can think of.
There’s a place on Rua da Liberdade where you can buy takeaway chicken amongst other things. The food is good and not expensive.
But my favourite takeaway is part of the Ponte Grande restaurant.
Between the road and the restaurant, you’ll find a Kebab shop – Kebab Ponte Grande.
I know, kebabs don’t have the best reputation, but all I can say is Kebab No 6 – stunning meat, fresh lettuce and carrot, really tasty pitta bread, topped off with garlic or chilli mayo, and accompanied by chips and a drink (including beer!) all for €5!
That I can’t beat…
Blinking Flamingos Favourite Takeaway:
Restaurante/Kebab Ponte Grande
Hours: Open until 11pm
Address: Rua da Ponte Grande, nº4, 8700-020 Fuseta, Faro, Portugal
Phone: +351 919 397 121
My Favourite Pastelaria
As in every town in Portugal, Fuseta has Pastelarias, where you can buy pastries, have a coffee, a juice or even a wine or beer, and simply sit and relax.
There are a couple in the parade near to Nuno’s, but leading the way is Pastelaria Trinidade on the square.
Open from 7am in the morning until 8pm at night, Pastelaria Trinidade is always busy. Whether you’re a tourist or a local, whether you want to gorge on numerous pastries (such as the Portuguese favourite, Pastel de Nata!) or sip on a strong ‘café’, or quench your thirst with the best-tasting ‘Sumo de Laranja Natural’ (Orange Juice), this is the place to let the world pass you by.
Enjoy it!
Blinking Flamingos Favourite Pastelaria:
Pastelaria Trinidade
Hours: Open 7am-8pm every day except Tuesday
Address: R. Dr. Virgilio English 60A, 8700-032 Fuseta, Portugal
Phone : +351 289 071 875
Website: Pastelaria Trinidade
