Edd’s Beach Ferragudo

I celebrate my birthday at the end of June, which has always been my favourite time of year in the Algarve. The days are at their longest, and summer has only just begun, meaning the beaches are still peaceful before the peak holiday crowds arrive. Every year, I ask myself the same question: where should I celebrate?

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Birthdays don’t feel quite as important as they did when I was younger, but I still like to mark the occasion somewhere special. This year, the choice was easy. Edd’s Beach in Ferragudo had recently reopened after its winter break, and it turned out to be the perfect place to spend the day.

A beach club with a different feel

I still remember when Edd’s Beach was being built above Praia do Pintadinho. Having previously lived on Spain’s Costa del Sol, where beach clubs are part of the coastline, I often found myself wishing there were more places like that in the Algarve. Sometimes, after a few beach days, it’s nice to swap your towel for a comfortable sunbed, enjoy a long lunch and spend the afternoon somewhere that still feels connected to the sea.

I visited Edd’s shortly after it first opened and immediately loved its style. The boho-inspired design, with its natural colours, whitewashed spaces, wooden details, and palm trees, creates a relaxed atmosphere that feels elegant without trying too hard. It’s one of those places where you instantly slow down.

What I particularly like is that it isn’t just one space. As you walk in, you’re welcomed by the restaurant, with both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the ocean. A little further along is the bar, where people gather for cocktails and drinks, while at the far end you’ll find the swimming pool, surrounded by sunbeds and a VIP area. Although each space has its own atmosphere, they blend perfectly, making it easy to spend the whole day there.

Lunch with a view

As we planned to stay for most of the day, lunch was naturally our first stop.

The menu offers plenty of choice, from fresh salads and light meals to grilled meats, wood-fired pizzas and homemade bread.

One thing that immediately caught my attention was the cocktail list. It features a wide range of classics alongside house creations, and I couldn’t resist ordering one called P.S. I Love You. Fruity, refreshing and beautifully presented, it felt like the perfect birthday cocktail. Edd’s also produces its own wines under the Edd’s label, including the award-winning Private Collection Grande Reserva.

As the restaurant had only recently reopened for the season, I imagine the full menu was still evolving, but there were already plenty of tempting dishes to choose from.

We decided to share everything and asked for all three dishes to arrive together. The burrata came with fresh spinach leaves, cherry tomatoes, orange segments and crunchy pistachios, creating a colourful and refreshing combination. The carpaccio, one of my favourite dishes to share, was beautifully presented with fresh greens and delicate seasoning.

Perhaps the biggest surprise for me was the prego. Served in traditional bolo do caco with melted provolone cheese, it was actually the first time I’d tried this Portuguese favourite, and I can safely say it won’t be the last.

The story behind Edd’s Beach

During my visit, I also had the opportunity to speak with Robin Opstelten, the interior designer responsible for the distinctive styling of Edd’s Beach. Robin recently opened her own interior design showroom, Gobi, in Lagoa and is also the daughter of one of the Edd’s Beach owners, so she was the perfect person to explain how the beach club came to life.

Given that many of the Algarve’s best-known beach clubs are concentrated around Vilamoura, I was curious why the family chose Ferragudo instead.

“The location was never really a question,” Robin explained. “One of the owners has been coming to Praia do Pintadinho since he was a little boy. He always knew it was the most beautiful and serene spot on the coast, and the perfect place to create a calm beach restaurant for both locals and visitors.”

Standing on the terrace, it’s easy to understand exactly what she means. Perched above the beach, Edd’s enjoys uninterrupted views across the Atlantic, while the town of Portimão can be seen in the distance. Despite being only a short drive from some of the Algarve’s busiest resorts, Praia do Pintadinho still feels surprisingly peaceful.

A fresh concept for summer

Like any successful venue, Edd’s Beach continues to evolve.

Robin explained that this season the focus is shifting towards a more relaxed style of dining centred around sharing.

“We keep reinventing ourselves,” she said. “This year we’re introducing a menu built around smaller plates that guests can enjoy individually or share around the table, instead of the traditional starter, main course and dessert. We also have a selection of larger sharing dishes and a carefully chosen wine list. It’s really a wine bar by the beach.”

She added that while live music remains part of the experience, this season the emphasis is on creating a calmer atmosphere that allows guests to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.

“On the other side of the club, we’re serving pizzas straight to the sunbeds, while the rest of the venue is becoming a little quieter, a little more relaxed and closer to the sea.”

More than just lunch

What I like most about Edd’s Beach is that there isn’t just one way to enjoy it.

You can spend the afternoon by the pool, book a VIP daybed for a special occasion, settle into the restaurant for lunch or simply stop by for a drink while taking in the view.

As Robin puts it: “At Edd’s you can enjoy the whole day in your own way. Come for a small bite and a drink, and you’ll probably end up staying until the evening with friends and a few more dishes on the table.”

I can certainly see that happening.

What began as my birthday lunch quickly turned into an afternoon of good food, beautiful surroundings and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that’s becoming difficult to find during the Algarve summer. It’s a stylish, lively beach club and, thanks to its unique location above Praia do Pintadinho, offers some of the most beautiful views on this stretch of coastline.