À Do Pinto

À Do Pinto is a family-run tasca at Rua de Santo António 26, on the pedestrian street that forms the main thoroughfare of central Faro in Portugal's Algarve region. It is usually busy with local diners, which is often a sign of reliable cooking at fair prices. The cuisine is Portuguese seafood and traditional home cooking. The signature dishes include bacalhau à Brás, salt cod shredded with fried potato straws, egg and onion, and arroz de marisco, a soupy seafood rice that is ordered for two. Other regular orders are the fish of the day, polvo à lagareiro, which is roasted octopus finished with olive oil and garlic, and Dom Rodrigo, a traditional Algarve dessert of egg threads and almonds. The dining room is small and informal in the manner of a tasca, with close tables, a lively hum of conversation and efficient service. There is no dress code, and the mood suits casual lunches and dinners rather than formal occasions. Noise can be high when the room fills. The drinks list is simple, with Portuguese house wines, beer and coffee. A price note gives about €14-22 (roughly $16-25) per person, placing the restaurant in the moderate $$ range. Lunch is served from 12:00 to 15:00 and dinner from 19:00 to 22:00. One guide lists Monday as closed, while another listing shows weekday opening until 23:00, so hours should be confirmed by phone on +351 911 944 484. The restaurant advises booking ahead for dinner, since the small room fills quickly, especially in July and August and on weekends. The pedestrian street location means there is no car access at the door, and visitors arriving by car typically park in nearby car parks and walk. The restaurant is close to the marina, the old town walls and the cathedral, so it combines easily with a walking tour. Its website is adopinto.pt.