Best coffeeshops of the Algarve 2024
Rewind to the summer of 2020, the world is in lockdown and the specialty coffee scene in the Western Algarve is in a similar situation. It was practically impossible to get a decent coffee, notable exceptions included Black and White and Coffee and Waves. Finding a kilo of beans to take home was even harder. How was my caffeine addiction going to survive? Clifftop Coffee was born to fix this itch, and I soon found lots of people were having the same issue.
Fast forward 4 years and it’s a very different picture; coffee shops, roasters, bakers, coworking spaces, hotels and surf lodges are all serving quality coffee Here’s a few I like in the region, from East to West
Specialty coffee, healthy breakfast options and sweet treats in a compact café setting in the heart of Albufeira.
Wilds Sandwich Boutique, Alvor
Gary and Valerie set up Wilds in lockdown and have built a loyal following. Expect cinnamon buns, smoothies and smiles all day long
Japanese fluffy pancakes, awesome baked cheesecake, super good value breakfasts in a relaxed family friendly setting. Located in the heart of Alvor’s old town. Part of the Clifftop family!
If you’re heading up to Monchique, the only place for a decent flat white in town is Velochique. The Baristas are taking their craft seriously, the cakes are great and they do super good poke bowls. There’s plenty of tables outside to watch the day go by.
The new kid on the block, serving delicious coffee, great baked goods and the most amazing sandwiches, all inspired by Benny and Soo’s travels and love of hospitality. Their backgrounds in design and working in coffee shops Down under is clear.
The specialty coffee shop factory of Lagos, churns out more flat whites and stacks of Instagram friendly pancakes than grains of sand on Maia Praia. Consistently good service, a modern clean look and accessible food menu is a constant hit, expect queues. Try the pancakes. Head next door to the takeaway bakery if the queue is too big!
Musette Bikes , Almadena
Fancy hiring a bike and exploring the back country? Start with a delicious espresso and Belgian Waffle, return your bike, eat Empanadas and drink Belgian beer. What’s not to like?
Buttery cookies and divine French pastries that are almost too good to eat, almost. Lea and Marc opened Spring 2024, serving killer flat whites, crepes smoothies and ornate French sweets…Go!
Burgau’s answer to a Scandinavian eatery, hidden away in the old town, well curated small plates, natural wines and an ever changing coffee menu. Definitely worth a visit
Open dawn till dusk this specialty coffee shop/Deli serves tasty veggie sandwiches, bagels and sweet treats. All produce is sourced locally, great sourdough, lots of fermented and pickled items in the sandwiches. The pastries are fantastic and the coffee is great. They also have a large selection of natural wines, single origin coffee bags, nut butters, trendy magazines and coffee equipment for sale. Try the chocolate brioche or tempeh sandwich!
Local surfboard shapers Matt and Rosie opened the Toxic Magic shop in the winter of 23/24. A multi-purpose venue, by day a café, serving Clifftop Coffee, cakes and seriously delicious sandwiches. In the evenings the venue seamlessly morphs into a bar serving cocktails and tunes. They also host a wide variety of pop-ups, supper clubs, DJ’s and film screenings. A little cultural hub on the wild west coast.