Lagos
Blink and you'll miss this tiny traditional restaurant. Cosy and simply decorated, it concentrates on seafood grills and shellfish dishes, including…
Must-see restaurants in Portugal
Baixo Alentejo
Founded in 1893, this is one of Beja’s oldest cafes and best-known institutions. It gathers a chatty neighbourhood crowd day and night and is justly…
The Algarve
Compact and unpretentious, with more seating on a covered terrace situated across the street, this place is recommended for its seafood: the day's catch…
Estremadura & Ribatejo
This unexpected gem is the perfect cure to the Bacalhau Blues. Tucked away 1km or so outside the tourist zone in a residential complex, the flavours and…
Funchal
Outside the tables are dressed in traditional Madeiran stripes, inside Europe's largest collection of football scarves hangs from the ceiling while 1000…
Braga
Under the motto 'rural cuisine for urban people', this wood-beamed tavern decorated with rustic bric-a-brac serves a tasty menu of traditional mainstays…
Foz do Douro
Alluring views of the thrashing Atlantic draw Porto locals to the terrace of this renowned seafront patisserie, which has recently had a bright and breezy…
Braga
Down a side street from Braga's cathedral, this mod little hideaway mixes traditional Portuguese home cooking with international culinary influences, from…
Aliados & Bolhão
Amid azulejos, dark wood furnishings and starched white place settings, Escondidinho serves solid traditional cuisine to a mainly tourist clientele, hence…
Aliados & Bolhão
Since 1920 this cafe-patisserie has given a pinch of Paris to Porto with its delectable sweet and savoury éclairs, which are now justifiably famous. Sit…
Estremadura & Ribatejo
Not content to follow the crowd, contemporary Manhãs bet on rattling the culinary scene in Fátima and its modern, internationally tweaked takes on…
Monchique
Light and bright, with red-and-white tiled floors, a timber bar and local art for sale on the walls, this cafe is a great weekday stop for soups, quiches…
The Douro
For lunch with a view, look no further than this contemporary Portuguese restaurant housed in Foz Côa's archaeological museum. Enjoy breathtaking…
Lagos
In summer, the stunning terrace overlooking the beach is the place to be, but the wood-panelled interior with a beautiful timber bar is also wonderfully…
Boavista
One for special occasions, this refined, modern restaurant in the Sheraton sets the scene with high-back caramel chairs, pristine white tablecloths and…
The Minho
The nickname 'Memórias de Mãe' (Memories of Mum) says it all at this backstreet hideaway specialising in traditional home-cooked fare. Tourist-pleasing…
Alto Alentejo
Just south of the main square, Venda Azul serves delicious Alentejan fare at unbeatable prices – a feast for two, including wine and dessert, costs less…
Funchal
For a bit of olde-worlde elegance, head to the dining room of this quinta hotel, all Turkish carpets, antique lamps and starched tablecloths. Venison…
Miragaia
Named after the most flamboyant of Mexican painters, this restaurant spices up Porto's epicurean scene. Soft lamplight and walls plastered with Mexican…
Évora
It will forever be ‘a quarter to nine’ at this jovial eatery (the owner bought the timepiece secondhand – it never worked). Broken appliances aside, the…
Porto
Right by the riverfront in Afurada and with astounding views of the Ponte da Arrábida through its floor-to-ceiling glass windows, A Margem is a popular…
Vila Nova de Gaia
One of the better picks among the restaurants jostling for business along the riverfront, Tempêro D'Maria has a friendly, informal vibe. The cosy stone…
Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela
This indoor-outdoor cafe is ideal for a coffee or cocktail break among the massive rubber tree palms and twittering birds in the Jardim do Príncipe Real…
Faro
Located within Faro's municipal market, this very unassuming treat of a place is frequented by everyone and anyone, especially local office workers doing…
Viana do Castelo
On the waterfront opposite the Jardim Marginal, this retro market and bistro serves great weekday lunch menus (soup, main dish, drink and coffee for just …
Sagres
Built on the site of the owner's grandparents' house, this cosy terracotta-and-white spot serves wonderfully authentic Portuguese cuisine, including stand…
Évora
This unpretentious place is run by a delightful family and offers professional service, a large wine list and good-quality cuisine. It’s been going for…
Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela
Vegetarian-minded diners flock to this attractive restaurant and wellness centre with a back garden/spa, an extensive lunch buffet and à la carte dinners…
Alto Alentejo
Amid huge wine jars and painted Alentejan ceramics, Adega 7160 serves traditional regional dishes with a modern twist. Start off with roasted pumpkin soup…
Marquês de Pombal & Around
Midway between restaurant and clubby lounge-bar, Guilty is the casual stalwart of Lisbon master-chef Olivier. With its bare brick walls, leather sofas,…
Coimbra
Top-quality produce is used to create delightful petiscos (tapas) at this bright, casual eatery. It's an animated spot with Paul Klee–inspired wallpaper…
Funchal
Fusion isn't a word used often in Madeiran dining (bananas don't fuse that well), but this funky little urban bistro is attempting something never before…
Aliados & Bolhão
Huge wicker lamps cast flattering light onto the brick-walled dining room of this stylishly converted neo-Arabic building with high ceilings. On warm…
Alto Alentejo
Hidden in the leafy gardens south of the Praça República, this is the pick for quality food and shady location. It has an airy, semicircular interior, and…
Pinhão
A bit like wandering into your Portuguese grandmother's house, this quirky restaurant in Provesende village is all about simple, tasty home cooking. It…
Ribeira
Porto's shift towards lighter, superhealthy food is reflected in the buffet served at Da Terra. This popular, contemporary bistro puts its own spin on…
Ribatejo
Informal and cosy, this is Santarém's most foodie-friendly restaurant, where chef Andre churns out jazzed up petiscos and heavier plates based on…
Setúbal
A standout among myriad seafooders in this warehouse district backing up against the water and a favourite of actual setubalense. It's a bit pricier than…
Ribeira
A touch of class in the Palácio da Bolsa, O Comercial has a whiff of romantic grandeur with its chandeliers, high ceilings and azulejo-clad walls. The…
Alto Alentejo
Serves outstanding regional cuisine in a dining room of exposed brick and azulejos (tiles), with rustic farm implements adorning the walls. Porco preto …
