THE VIBE – Restaurante Zé Maria on Praia de Faro is one of those small unassuming neighborhood restaurants that you want in your own neighborhood back home. Praia de Faro (“Faro Beach”) is a long strip of land behind Faro Airport that has houses (well, cute beach shack’s really), literally built into the sand dunes. Only one road in and out; you cross a one-lane bridge and it’s a throwback to beachside living anywhere Australia or USA circa 1960’s. Tourists are rare, but it is popular with locals due to its proximity to the Algarvian capital and it’s glorious long beach dotted with cafes and restaurants. Zé Maria fronts right onto the beach and there’s nothing better than leaving your towel and umbrella behind and walking just the 20 meters from your patch of sand to lunch; with footwear being entirely optional.

THE FOOD – A large platter of grilled dourado, sea bass or salmon with salad and homemade fries sets you back around 9 Euro’s. But their simple garlic, lemon juice and parsley clam dish will give you future withdrawal symptoms! No matter where we are, we constantly find ourselves craving for the food here. Some local Algarvians tell us it’s their favorite restaurant in the whole region.

THE DRINK – House wines are good – cheap & by the half bottle or full, depending on how long a lunching-session you’re in the mood for (or if you’re planning on getting back in the ocean!) Super Bock beers by the ice-cold glass are always hard to beat on a warm day.

IN SHORT – Such simplicity… but such a taste treat for almost pocket money. Unless you have the scoop, you would probably walk straight past it.

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