Where to eat in Porto? 12 restaurant recommendations

The city of Porto is undoubtedly proud of its gastronomic heritage. With its Port wine cellars and its fresh seafood, the ‘Northern Capital’ has plenty to offer! But be warned: like in any tourist city, you’ll have to avoid tourist traps! You should therefore be vigilant if you don’t want to end up disappointed.

To help you out, Captain Ulysses — who is undoubtedly a great food & wine enthusiast — has selected a few delicious restaurants which he’s sure you’ll love!

Enjoy 🍲!

Tips & recommendations to spot the best restaurants in Porto

There is nothing more infuriating than realizing that the restaurant on which you’ve selected is yet another tourist trap!

Here are some best practises to avoid unpleasant surprises:

• follow the locals : listen carefully to customers at restaurants. Are they speaking Portuguese? That’s a very good point! 🇵🇹

• don’t hesitate to think outside the box: tourists have an annoying tendency to all flock to the same place! And restaurants located in very touristy areas can often be quite disappointing. Better to move away from touristy spots, if only a little bit. In Porto, do not hesitate to leave the tourist district of Ribeira and look for a nice place to eat on the heights of the city, around the university. You will find countless little restaurants just waiting to be discovered!

• Be careful with appetizers: in Portugal, it is not uncommon for appetizers to be brought to your table: more often than not, these are chargeable. Although they’re very cheap most of the time, some ill-intentioned restaurateurs charge them at completely disgraceful prices! The prices of appetizers are often indicated on the menu: don’t forget taking a look before sitting down 😉

With these few tips in mind, you should be able to avoid most tourist traps and find delicious restaurants in Porto!

Where to eat in the center of Porto?

Affordable restaurants in the center of Porto

The choice of locals

To immerse yourself in local culture, head for the Café D. Fernando, located in the aptly named Rua da Alegria (“Street of happiness”), behind La Vie shopping center, a few steps from the Bolhão Market.

If this small Portuguese canteen frequented by construction workers and employees does not look like much, it offers tasty and hearty dishes at incredibly affordable prices: €5 for the lunch menu which includes a main dish + a drink (one beer/one bottle of water / ½ bottle of wine / a soda…)

Not to mention that service is very nice.

In short, this small restaurant is one of the Captain’s favorites in Porto and offers the perfect opportunity to discover another side to the city.

Address: Rua da Alegria 308, 4000-450 Porto
Prices : €€€€

Cod!

If eating on the go tasty little fritters made with cheese, potato and cod seems like something you’d enjoy, head to the Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau, a stone’s throw from the Clerigos Tower.

Let’s be frank: ‘authenticity’ isn’t exactly a key word here.

But that being said, the fritters are made in front of the customers, which is quite nice. And the cod/cheese/potato mix works very well, especially with a glass of local Port wine!

In short: if this little shop looks everything like a tourist trap, prices are quite affordable, the setting is cute and the fritters are delicious!

Address: Campo dos Mártires da Pátria 108, 4050-367 Porto
Prices : €€€€

The Mercado do Bolhão

There’s nothing like a trip to the local market to discover local food and specialties! The historic Mercado do Bolhão being is currently under renovation and will remain closed for the forseeable future, but in the meantime, a few shops/stalls have been relovated to the the basement of the La Vie shopping center, a few blocks away.

Although it’s quite small, the Mercado Temporário do Bolhão is perfect to eat on the go and taste of the city. If you’re staying in an appartment / Airbnb, you can even do your foot shopping here so you can cook at the appartment.

Otherwise, you’ll definitely find loval specialties to eat on the go: soup, sandwiches, cold cuts … Delicious!

Address: Rua de Fernandes Tomás 506 508, 4000-211 Porto
Prices : €€€€

Mid-range restaurants in the center of Porto

Eating a francesinha in Porto

The francesinha is one of the region’s most famous specialty! Better be warned, it’s quite copious: a croque-monsieur of sorts, filled with fresh sausage, beef and ham, and generously topped with cheese and tomato sauce.

To tell you the truth, it’s not necessarily the Captain’s cup of tea, but it is a local specialty and it would be a shame not to try it while visiting Porto!

You will find francesinha in most restaurants, but can often be of poor quality. To try a good francesinha, Captain Ulysses recommends Café Luso, which has made it its specialty. The restaurant’s octopus and cod dishes are also really good (steer clear of their pizzas, however, which are not up to par).

Address: Praça de Carlos Alberto 92, 4050-526 Porto
Prices: €€€€

A delicious stop in the Rua das Flores

In the heart of the historic center of Porto, the Rua das Flores is lined with countless shops and restaurants.

Among these, the Captain recommends one in particular: Restaurant À Parte. The restaurant serves tasty and unpretentious local dishes. On sunny days, the terrace is very nice!

Address: Rua das Flores 46, 4050-265 Porto
Prices: €€€€

Slightly more high-end restaurants in the center of Porto

In the historic center of Porto

In the very center of Porto, a stone’s throw from the Rua das Flores, Captain Ulysses warmly recommends the Restaurant LSD (Largo Sao Domingos).

The food is fresh, delicate and delicious. The trio of cod is particularly memorable!

Not to mention the restaurant’s setting, in the heart of the historic center, is really pleasant. On sunny days, be sure to sit down on the terrace.

Be warned: the restaurant is very popular and located in one of Porto’s most touristy areas! You should therefore definitely go early or book a table in advance.

Address: Largo Sao Domingos 78, 4050-416 Porto
Prices: €€€€ — €€€€

The Captain’s favourite ♥

Farther from the city center, on the heights of Porto, Restaurant Apego is one of Captain Ulysse’s absolute favorites in Porto!

Located on the Rua de Santa Catarina, between the Bolhão Market and Marques metro station, this tiny little restaurant is a gem. The restaurant serves reinvented local dishes prepared with delicious seasonal products.

The Captain can only recommend.

Address: Rua de Santa Catarina 1198, 4000-457 Porto
Prices: €€€€ — €€€€

Where to eat in Vila Nova de Gaia, across from Porto?

To admire the view of the Douro

To admire the view of the Douro from Vila Nova de Gaia, Captain Ulysses recommends two panoramic restaurants nestled on the bank of the river:

• Uva by Calem
• Ar de Rio

Both serve local specialties in a stunning setting.

Address: Avenida de Diogo Leite, 4400-111 Vila Nova de Gaia
Prices: €€€€

Street food in Vila Nova de Gaia

To stock up on street food and taste delicious local specialties (including suckling pig!), head for the Mercado Municipal de Gaia.

This small covered market counts some thirty stalls, in the middle of which large communal tables allow everyone to sit and eat in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Tourists and locals alike meet over a pint of beer to watch a football game or simply chat away!

Address: Largo Sampaio Bruno 10, 4400-161 Vila Nova de Gaia
Prices : €€€€

With a good glass of port wine

To sip a good glass of port wine while enjoying a gourmet meal, head for the VINUM Restaurant & Wine Bar, in the cellars of famous Port wine producer Graham’s.

After eating, it would be a shame not to take the opportunity to visit the cellars! To find out more in Captain Ulysses’ detailed article on the port wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Address: Rua do Agro 141, 4400-003 Vila Nova de Gaia
Prices: €€€€

Gourmet restaurant in Vila Nova de Gaia, opposite do Dragão

If you’re a foodie and want to treat yourself to an out-of-the-ordinary gourmet experience in Porto, then Captain Ulysse can only recommend the restaurant of the famous boutique hotel The Yeatman (which, by the way, is an excellent place to stay if you can afford it!)

Awarded 2 Michelin stars, The Yeatman Gastronomic Restaurant offers a unique oenogastronomic experience based on local products and contemporary flavors.

Not to mention that the panorama over the Douro River and the historic center of Porto is quite simply stunning.

If you can’t afford to eat at the Yeatman, you you can always stop for a nice glass of Port wine while enjoying the view!

Address: Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia
Prices: €€€€

Where to eat in Foz do Douro?

If you’re staying in Porto long enough, it’d be a shame not to explore the district of Foz do Douro, to the west of the historic center.

It’s the perfect place to take a deep breath of fresh air on the oceanfront. And if you get a bit peckish while in Foz do Douro, Captain Ulysses can only recommend Praia da Luz Restaurant.

The restaurant serves fresh fish and seafood in an exceptional setting, right on the beach!

If you’re not in the mood for food, you can alway settle for a coffee or a glass of port while admiring the view.

Address: Avenida Brasil, Porto 4150-151
Prices: €€€€ — €€€€

For foodies: gastronomic cruises & food tours in Porto

Captain Ulysse hopes you will find something to your liking among the restaurants he has picked for you.

Captain Ulysse invites all foodies to take part in an unforgettable activity in Porto: a cruise and lunch tour to explore the wines of the Douro Valley

If you still can’t get enough, you can also book a food tour and discover the culinary wonders of the city. The Captain recommends one tour in particular: food tour of Porto. A great opportunity to discover the tastiest specialties in the city! Enjoy!

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