The Algarve is known for its seafood cuisine and, thanks to its strong fishing tradition, fish is present in most of the region's typical dishes. The website Encontre Portugal has listed the top 10 dishes in the Algarve, including desserts. Meat doesn't feature here, but there are some fish dishes that don't make the list either, such as the traditional clams and oysters.
According to Postal, seafood cataplana is one of the Algarve's best dishes. It's called cataplana because it's prepared in a special pot which is where the name comes from and includes various types of fresh seafood, including prawns, mussels and clams. The seafood is accompanied by tomatoes, garlic, potatoes, onion, coriander and white wine.
Seafood rice is from the same family as the cataplana, but the seafood is accompanied by the classic tomato rice. Despite being a simple dish, Bulhão-Pato style clams are also on the list that honors the gastronomy of the southern region of the country. The clams are cooked in olive oil, garlic, coriander and lemon.
Percebes (barnacles), feijoada de buzinas (whelk stew), sardinha assada (grilled sardines), caldeirada de peixe (fish stew) and carapaus alimados are the other main dishes on the list of the Algarve's best. However, the list developed by Encontre Portugal includes not only main dishes but also traditional desserts.
The winning desserts were figs with goat's cheese and honey, as well as the famous Dom Rodrigo. The latter is a traditional Algarve sweet made with almonds, sugar, cinnamon and egg yolks