Dining in Porto is delightful journey for the senses and a essential part of the Porto tourist experience. This coastal gem offers a tantalizing array of culinary experiences that capture the heart of Portuguese cuisine. From charming riverside bistros to traditional tascas (casual bars with food) tucked in narrow streets, the city brims with flavors. Indulge in iconic Porto dishes like francesinha, a hearty sandwich bathed in a savory tomato sauce, or fresh seafood harvested from the nearby Atlantic. Sip on locally-produced Port wine to elevate your dining escapade. Whether you’re savoring the famed pastéis de nata (cream tarts) or relishing a rustic bacalhau (salted codfish, a Portuguese favorite) dish, Porto’s vibrant food scene ensures each bite is an exploration of Portugal’s rich heritage. Here are a few of our favorites, including a couple near the Hotel Vincci Porto, our meeting point for the Best of Camino Santiago and Douro Valley Easy Walking trips:
Cheap and cheerful – local fare:
Capa no Rio (link to their FB page) – Av. Alameda Basilio Telles, 24, Porto – Tel: (+351) 226 001 372, located next door to Vincci Porto hotel – selection of local fare, such as francesinha a baked cheese and meat sandwich (or veggie version available as well) swimming in sauce, grilled fish, filling salads, pizza and snacks to be washed down with a beer or house wine. Open M-Sat 12-3; 7-10:30pm. Closed Sundays.
Casa Guedes – grab a pulled pork sandwich with a kale soup for lunch. They have 3 locations. Open everyday noon-11pm.
Conga – Rua do Bonjardim 318, 4000-115 Porto – Open everyday – noon-11pm, closed Sunday. Known for their pork sandwiches (“bifanas”), burgers and other meat focused dishes. Sorry, not for vegetarians.
Leitaria da Quinta do Paço (pictured above) – Several locations. Downtown location by Lello bookstore – Praça Guilherme Gomes Fernandes 47/51, 4050-293 Porto – this bakery offers a good pit stop while touristing for cream tart or éclaire, strong Portuguese espresso coffee and the sweetest fresh orange juice.
Mid range:
33 Alameda – Av. Alameda Basilio Teles 33, Porto – inside the Vincci Porto hotel – refined Portuguese and international fare for dinners only. Menu available on the Vincci app.
Vincci Terrace – rooftop terrace with view of Douro river in Vincci Porto hotel – open April – Oct when weather is good, open 1-6pm for light meals.
Casa Nanda – Rua da Alegria 394, Porto, Portugal . GPS: 41.153198,-8.60339 . Open: T-Sun 12-3pm. T-Sat: 7pm-10pm. Tel: (+351) 225 370 575. Have yourself a delicious meal of more refined but not overpriced traditional Portuguese food with many seafood options in understated corked lined dining room. Love this place!
Dom Peixe – Rua Heróis de França, 241 4450-158 Matosinhos, Tel.(+351) 224 927 160 or cell phone: +351 936 227 420. Open noon-midnight, closed Monday. Enjoy the freshest grilled fish across from Matosinhos port and don’t forget to have the amazing creme brulee for dessert – this neighborhood, being a dock area, is both genuine, touristy and slightly dodgy, so just be aware.
Escama – R. de Mouzinho da Silveira 203, 4000 Porto, Tel. (+351) 913 595 551, e-mail: reservas@escamaporto.com . Open everyday 12:30-3pm, 7-10:30pm. Escama means fish scale, so guess what they serve here? In addition to excellent fish, they offer octopus, oysters and other seafood as well as meat and vegetarian options.
Português de Gema, Rua Santana 33, Porto, Tel (+351) 222 400 033. Open Mon – lunch only, Tues-Sat – 12-2:30 pm and 7-9:30 pm. Located downtown near São Bento station, this restaurant serves traditional Portuguese food such as duck and tuna with vegetarian options available. You can also pick up a gifts with profits going to charity.
High end:
Vinum Restaurant and Wine Bar (in the Graham’s Port winery “caves”) – Rua do Agro nº 141, 4400-003 Vila Nova de Gaia (across bridge from Porto), Tel: (+351) 220930417. For a memorable meal and wines, this place offers a gorgeous dining area and view of the city from across the river in Gaia.
To learn more about the food and culture of Portugal and Spain, join us on a Terracotta Journeys hiking or cycling trip where every meal is memorable!