Aliados & Bolhão
OK, it's by no stretch of the imagination a secret, but this traveller hangout still exudes a chilled vibe and is a great place to sip a proper hot…
Must-see restaurants in Portugal
The Beiras
Ensconced in a traditional stone house off Largo Padre Francisco Ferreira, Área Benta is reckoned to be the best restaurant in town. Its spacious interior…
Cascais
Near the Boca do Inferno, this humble-looking place serves superb seafood dishes to ocean views. Its mouth-watering mixed platters for two (€39.50 to €88 …
Aliados & Bolhão
A hip, healthy addition to central Porto, this vegetarian and vegan restaurant can easily be spotted by the swings in its window. You can help yourself to…
Viseu
This unabashedly upper-crust spot under the looming Igreja da Misericórdia specialises in fine regional cuisine made with ingredients from the nearby…
Braga
Savour terrific Portuguese dishes in this attractive country-style tavern with two cosy dining rooms showcasing lots of bric-a-brac. The menu is small but…
Silves
This rustic tasca (tavern), with chequer-clothed timber tables and rural paraphernalia (ploughs, saddles, saws, sickles and hunting rifles) on the walls,…
Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré
Not to be confused with the pricier Tagide next door, this casual, slickly modern tapas bar has pretty views to the river and wine dished out via self…
Zambujeira Do Mar
A family team add colour to this fun, laid-back ‘cabana’ – Dona Ana Maria creates her own seafood dishes. The fresh fish and shellfish more than make up…
The Beiras
The clue's in the name – Hunter's Retreat – and the mounted boars' heads on the stone wall. This small, much frequented rustic restaurant is all about the…
Ribatejo
This 19th-century grocer's shop has had a sympathetic modern refit and now presents a cool, characterful, intimate space. You can eat well here – good…
Coimbra
This marvellous family-run place specialises in homemade Portuguese standards such as chanfana (goat) cooked in red wine, and dobrada (tripe) served with…
Aveiro
A vegetarian restaurant is a rare sight in this part of the country, so vegans will delight at finding Ki, a colourful backstreet eatery serving organic…
Alfama, Castelo & Graça
This friendly cafe has a handful of tables on one of Alfama's prettiest squares. It's a fine spot for a craft beer with grilled chorizo, tibornos …
The Algarve
One of four sister restaurants in the area, this large place opposite the riverfront serves excellent seafood such as razor clams, shrimp and octopus with…
Lagos
Tucked away on an atmospheric street that was Lagos' original sea wall, this pretty, tiled place does a short, simple menu of seafood and grilled meat…
Machico
Ensconced in the former market building, this long-established restaurant just back from the seafront has a pretty outdoor seating area gathered around…
Aveiro
On a narrow sidestreet off busy Rua do Tenente Resende, this woody, nautically-themed restaurant is worth tracking down. Its daily specials are backed up…
Massarelos
This slinky sushi lounge opens onto a decked terrace overlooking the Douro, or you can retreat to the softly lit, wood-floored interior, with bold art…
Aveiro
With its low wooden ceilings, long bar (ideal for solo diners) and hanging curios, this old-school favourite oozes character. The menu lists daily…
Alto Alentejo
Just off the highway, before making the uphill drive to the castle, this local favourite serves up excellent Portuguese classics. True to name, Emigrante…
The Algarve
Unpretentious, with rows of tables under whitewashed arches (hence the name) and more on the covered terrace out front, Os Arcos is a large traditional…
Baixo Alentejo
Just off the main square, Praça Sacadura Cabral, this cosy tavern is a lively spot for a bite and a drink. There’s not much of a menu, but the owner whips…
Évora
Along the pedestrian lane of restaurant-lined Alcarcova de Baixo, the cavernous Piparoza is a standout for its huge menu and lively ambience. Open from…
The Beiras
On the main road through the modern village, O Celta (The Celt) serves up a cheerful farmhouse atmosphere and filling country staples, including a…
Setúbal
A standout among Avenida Luísa Todi's long line of carbon copy seafood restaurants more for its size and intimacy than anything, but the food here is a…
Faro
This deceptive spot looks like a pastelaria (pastry and cake shop) from the outside, yet inside it morphs into a restaurant, serving hearty Portuguese…
Foz do Arelho
The trendiest of Foz do Arelho’s waterfront joints, this classy place is right on the beach and serves everything from well-done pregos (beef sandwiches)…
Viseu
For an atmospheric setting, few spots can rival Colmeia's summer terrace by the medieval walls. In the colder months, action reverts to the rustic…
Lagos
Right on the sand, this is the best of the places to eat on Meia Praia. It's a fair stroll along the beach, but it's well worth it for the welcoming…
Alfama, Castelo & Graça
In the shadow of the grand Sé de Lisboa, this youthful, jazz-loving cafe, whose name translates to 'Oh my God!' in English, has earned a local following…
Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela
This warm, convivial brasserie prides itself on just one dish: Lisbon's most famous steak, cooked to perfection, served swimming in cream sauce, skinny…
Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré
This boho cafe spills out onto both its vine-clad back courtyard and pleasant plaza seating, where you can try fresh-pressed juices, scones, tartines …
Funchal
Humongous gourmet burgers are the dining attraction at this joint. The interior is all white gloss and turquoise wallpaper and the staff are very friendly…
Ericeira
It keeps the decor simple – blue-checked tablecloths with starfish and lighthouses and tile designs of fish in nets à la the 1960s – and let the excellent…
Baixo Alentejo
With its wagon-wheel lights, huge wine urns and friendly ambience, this enticing place pulls a crowd. Eating here is a pure, traditional gastronomic…
Carrapateira
Umbrellas shade the tables at this summer cafe on the town's cobbled square. It's a lively pre- or postsurf hang-out for bruschetta, burgers. vibrant…
Boavista
Stone walls, clean lines and a funky modern fireplace create a contemporary look at this new urban cafe. Tank up on vitamins with a freshly made juice or…
The Beiras
Head to Buarcos at the northern end of the beachfront for a fishy fill-up at this humble, old-school tavern. A favourite with holidaymakers, its prime sea…
Alfama, Castelo & Graça
Just steps from Castelo de São Jorge's entrance, this tiny restaurant enjoys a loyal following for its warm service and solid home cooking. Dishes such as…
