Restaurant O João in Algoz was a delightful surprise during my visit. I must admit, I tend to stick to the coastal areas in the Algarve, but a chance encounter with a local who recognized me as Mr. Hotspots led me to this gem. And I'm glad I tried it!

Located on the main road, just 15 minutes from Albufeira and 30 minutes from Almancil, with its own parking lot, O Joao is a charming old-style restaurant.

Even though we arrived early at 12:10 PM, it was nearly full. The fact that it was predominantly filled with locals is always a good sign.

The menu features classic dishes like Melon with Ham (€6.00), Avocado with Shrimp and Cocktail Sauce (€10), Gratinated Onion Soup (€5), Grilled Salmon (€16), and Sole Fillet (€18). While they don't have vegetarian or vegan options listed, they're willing to accommodate requests.

We opted for the €12 daily menu, which included bread, olives, a carafe of red wine, as a main the chicken breast and the bean dish with rice, and pudding and carob cake for dessert, and a tasty coffee. All of this for just €12 per person!

We also ordered a €3 bottle of water, bringing the total for the two of us to a reasonable €27.

The service was friendly and efficient, the food was classic and delicious, and the ambiance was cozy. You can even see the kitchen staff working hard.

I highly recommend O Joao for a satisfying and budget-friendly meal.

PS I’m looking for more hidden gems like this, feel free to reach out, and I'll be happy to explore and share my findings! Thank you!