Bib Gourmand in Portugal 2025: Why the Algarve is Still Waiting

Dining trends in Europe are shifting. More people prefer to enjoy several cozy evenings out rather than saving up for one very expensive Michelin-starred meal. While Michelin Stars remain the pinnacle of luxury dining, another award is stealing the spotlight: the Bib Gourmand.

For Portugal – and especially the Algarve – this raises an interesting question: why does a region with such rich food culture have zero Bib Gourmand restaurants in 2025?

What is a Bib Gourmand?

The Bib Gourmand is Michelin’s award for restaurants that deliver outstanding value for money. Introduced in 1997, it highlights places where you can enjoy a three-course menu at a reasonable price.

Think:

• Recognisable, simple cooking full of flavour
• Generous portions that leave you satisfied
• Friendly prices that allow for frequent visits
• Relaxed settings, far from the stiffness of fine dining

For many food lovers, Bib Gourmand is actually closer to what they want from a night out: good food, cozy vibes, and a fair bill.

Why Bib Gourmand is booming in Europe?

Michelin itself admits: half of all tastings are now dedicated to Bib Gourmand and half to Stars. That balance shows how important this category has become.

• France leads with 399 Bib Gourmands in 2025 – and added a stunning 77 new ones last year.
• Spain is booming with 213 Bibs across the country.
• UK & Ireland reached 150 Bibs, with 36 new in 2025.
• Netherlands has 83 Bib Gourmands, spread across all major cities.
• Portugal? Just 28… and not a single one in the Algarve.

This is remarkable, considering the Algarve’s reputation for fresh seafood, Mediterranean produce, and a vibrant dining culture.

Why Portugal (and Algarve) are lagging behind

So why does Portugal only have 28 Bib Gourmands, and none in the Algarve? A few reasons:

• Focus on Stars and luxury tourism: the Algarve’s fine dining scene often aims at wealthy visitors, pushing restaurants toward Michelin Stars instead of Bib recognition.
• Traditional dining culture: many Portuguese restaurants are family-owned, informal, and don’t seek Michelin listings.
• Michelin’s slower expansion in Portugal: compared to Spain or France, Portugal’s coverage is still catching up.

For locals and visitors, it means one thing: huge untapped potential. Imagine the Algarve’s vibrant fish markets, rustic stews, and farm-to-table produce translated into Bib-worthy menus.

Why Bib Gourmand fits the Algarve

The Algarve already has the perfect ingredients for Bib Gourmand success:

• Freshly grilled fish from the Atlantic
• Rustic cataplanas (seafood stews)
• Seasonal vegetables and olive oil from local farms
• A culture of relaxed, social dining

If Michelin inspectors decide to shine a stronger light here, it’s only a matter of time before the Algarve earns its first Bib Gourmand listings.

The Closest Bib Gourmand Restaurants to the Algarve

As of 2025, the Algarve still has no Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants, which is surprising for such a popular foodie destination. But if you’re based in the Algarve and want to try Bib-level dining, there are excellent options just across the border in the Alentejo region.

• PODA in Montemor-o-Novo (Alentejo) – about 2h15 by car from Faro. A rustic, modern take on Alentejo cuisine with bold flavors and local ingredients.
• Solar do Forcado in Portalegre (Alentejo) – about 3h00 from Faro, perfect for a food-inspired weekend trip. Known for traditional meats, rich stews, and hearty regional dishes.
• Casa Chef Victor Felisberto in Abrantes (Ribatejo, bordering Alentejo) – around 3h15 from Faro, a chef-driven restaurant combining tradition with modern creativity.

Until the Algarve earns its own Bib Gourmand, these nearby restaurants are the closest way to experience Michelin’s value-for-money dining in southern Portugal.

The future: Bib has the edge

Dining out is about more than luxury. The modern diner wants:

• Affordable fine dining
• Authentic flavours
• Casual, welcoming settings

That’s exactly what Bib Gourmand delivers. Michelin understands this and has positioned Bib as a core part of its guide.

For Portugal, the next few years may finally bring the recognition that Algarve restaurants deserve. Until then, travellers looking for affordable dining in the Algarve will need to rely on local recommendations rather than Michelin’s Bib list.

FAQ: Bib Gourmand in Portugal and Algarve

What is a Bib Gourmand?
A Michelin award for restaurants offering excellent value: a high-quality three-course meal at a fair price.

How many Bib Gourmand restaurants are in Portugal (2025)?
Portugal has 28 Bib Gourmand restaurants, but none are in the Algarve.

Why doesn’t the Algarve have Bib Gourmand restaurants yet?
The region focuses heavily on Michelin-starred fine dining and traditional family-run eateries, leaving a gap in the Bib Gourmand middle ground. Here is a list of great restaurants with “normal” prices.

Which countries lead in Bib Gourmand?
France (399), Spain (213), and the UK & Ireland (150) dominate Europe’s Bib scene.

Does Bib Gourmand mean cheap food?
No – it means high quality at a fair price, usually a three-course meal that leaves you satisfied without a huge bill.

👉 Conclusion: The Algarve may not yet have its first Bib Gourmand, but with its culinary heritage, it’s only a matter of time. Across Europe, Bib Gourmand is booming – proving that great food, cozy settings, and fair pricing are the future of dining out.