Must-see restaurants in Portugal

  • Confeitaria Nacional

    Baixa & Rossio

    Expanding waistlines since 1829, this stuccoed patisserie entices with strong bica (espresso), pastéis de nata (custard tarts) and macaroons. Upstairs,…

  • Casa Amarela

    Mértola

    This place makes a great spot for inventive Portuguese fare. Outdoor tables on the veranda have magnificent views of Mértola – all of it, since Casa…

  • Açude

    The Minho

    A great option right on the riverfront in Arcozelo, a short walk from town, this boat-themed upstairs restaurant clad in wood serves tasty posta à Açude …

  • O Caraças

    Miragaia

    Run with heart and soul by a mother and her two daughters, this quaint stone-walled tavern is a homely gem. There's no menu per se, but generous helpings…

  • Restaurante Jardim da Manga

    Coimbra

    This bright and breezy cafeteria-style restaurant serves up tasty meat and fish dishes, with pleasant outdoor seating beside the Jardim da Manga fountain…

  • Dog

    Boavista

    No clues here for guessing that the house speciality is cachorros (hot dogs), albeit with gourmet toppings like brie and honey and onions cooked in port…

  • Dom Gabriel

    The Beiras

    Just outside the city walls, this is the town's best-value restaurant for solid local fare. Meat dishes are well garnished and simply prepared – the…

  • Bocage

    The Algarve

    On the corner of a quiet lane just off the main drag, this traditional, family-run restaurant serves solid plates of market-sourced grilled fish and meat…

  • Confeitaria do Bolhão

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Right opposite the Mercado do Bolhão is this deliciously old-school patisserie, going strong since 1896. Here you can stock up on fresh bread, cakes and…

  • O Miguel

    Alto Alentejo

    This long-standing down-to-earth spot whips up regional dishes including migas de batata (potato dumplings), tripe and traditional flavours of the season…

  • Porto das Barcas

    Vila Nova De Milfontes

    With a wonderful outlook over the water and cliffs, this is a great place to kick back for a seafood lunch. Its light and airy ambience in a dreamy…

  • Pastelaria A Concha

    Estremadura & Ribatejo

    In São Martinho do Porto's upper village, not far from the church, you'll find this nondescript little cafe that has served up big, sweet flavours since…

  • Bar do Peixe

    Setúbal Peninsula

    This beachfront restaurant, north of Praia das Bicas, has a chilled vibe and a sea-facing terrace. It serves good grilled fish and refreshing carafes of…

  • Cova da Loba

    Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela

    A stone house on a hilltop square in tiny Linhares is not the most likely setting for creative contemporary cuisine. But that's what you'll get at Cova da…

  • Bambi Café

    Estremadura & Ribatejo

    Portuguese beer on tap, wi-fi, live music and DJs and comfy couches on an outdoor deck overlooking the pine-tree-filled park are the big draws at this…

  • Bistrot Gulli

    Aljezur

    On the main road 4.5km south of Aljezur, what looks like a standard driver's lunch stop surprises with a contemporary interior, covered terrace and a…

  • Bota & Birra

    Miragaia

    A cute little cubbyhole down a backstreet linking Ribeira to Miragaia, Bota & Birra has just a handful of tables and plenty of good vibes. Come for the…

  • São Pedro

    Trás-os-Montes

    Just in from the main old-town gate, this restaurant serves up a fine posta á São Pedro (grilled veal steak dressed with garlic and olive oil). The €13…

  • Go Natural

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    If you're self-catering or simply after a picnic, this organic, reasonably priced grocer stocks the essentials: wines, yoghurts, granolas, cold drinks,…

  • Tentações de Goa

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Friendly and usually full, this family affair is tucked down a slender backstreet near Martim Moniz. Reserve a table to munch on spicy Goan nosh such as…

  • Pont'a Pé

    Aljezur

    With gleaming timber floors, raked beamed ceilings and an umbrella-shaded outdoor terrace, this down-to-earth place by the bridge serves daily seafood…

  • La Puttana

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    At the small, provocatively named Puttana (it means 'whore' in Italian), upstart chef Nuno Bergonse keeps things simple: a handful of Neapolitan-style…

  • Os Tibetanos

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Lisbon's oldest herbivore temple is part of a Tibetan Buddhism school. Its mantra is fresh vegetarian food, with daily specials such as quiche and curry…

  • Restaurante Giro Churrasqueira

    Coimbra

    This local favourite, an intimate back-alley restaurant, specialises in tasty traditional Portuguese fare. The menu features many regional staples, but…

  • Fumeiro de Santa Catarina

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This nouveau-rustic tapas bar is a welcome newcomer to Santa Catarina's dining scene. Its menu of appetising petiscos focuses on smoked meat and fish –…

  • Capa d’Honras

    Trás-os-Montes

    Named after the sinister-looking cape that is traditional to the region, this upmarket place just inside the old town gates serves local specialities such…

  • Café Pit

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    The food (tapas and light bites) is distinctly average, but a friendly owner and superb, extraordinarily moist orange cake (€4) make this a perfect pit…

  • Pedro dos Frangos

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Frango no espeto (spit-roasted chicken) is the name of the game at this extremely popular and inexpensive grill. Grab a spot at the stand-up counter and…

  • Restaurante Tabuleiro

    Tomar

    Just off Tomar’s main square, this family-friendly local hang-out features warm, attentive service, good traditional food and ridiculous (read: more-than…

  • Restaurante Marisqueira Rosa Amélia

    The Beiras

    In the Hotel Tamargueira in Buarcos, this renowned seafood restaurant is the domain of traditional 'fisherwoman' and town personality Dona Rosa Amelia…

  • O Saloio

    Ribatejo

    This cosy, tiled, family-friendly tasca (tavern) is a neighbourhood favourite thanks to its simple and authentic Portuguese dishes. Drop your inhibitions…

  • Safari

    Alto Alentejo

    A short stroll from the Paço Ducal, Safari serves a menu of classic Portuguese cooking (pork with clams, oven-baked codfish, seafood rice) as well as…

  • Malmequer Bemmequer

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    This bright chequered-tablecloth-and-tile place overlooks a pretty square. Amid a tight, quaint interior, it rolls out charcoal-grilled dishes such as…

  • Terra

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Vegetarians sing the praises of Terra for its superb buffet (including vegan options) of salads, kebabs and curries, plus organic wines and juices. A…

  • A Lareira

    Trás-os-Montes

    This recommended restaurant offers outstanding local beef, veal and mushrooms grilled on an open fireplace by the French-trained proprietor. The small,…

  • Restaurante Grutas

    Madeira

    Madeira's only cave-based eatery is this snack bar-restaurant en route from Faial to points south, selling Madeiran and international food. It's a fun…

  • Churrasqueira Valenciana

    The Minho

    Come to this cavernous and always bustling dining room if you’re looking for tasty and cheap grilled chicken. There’s no patio dining, which means there’s…

  • A Grade

    Ribeira

    Both a humble mum-and-dad operation and a masterwork of traditional fare, with generously portioned standouts such as baked octopus in butter and wine,…

  • A Grega

    The Beiras

    This modest neighbourhood restaurant excels in tasty grilled dishes, both fish and meat. Standouts include toothsome grilled squid and an Argentine-style…

  • Adega Regional

    Alto Alentejo

    Locals love this small place where it’s all about the food – lashings of plumas de porco preto (pork) and marisco (shellfish) dishes of all kinds, or a…

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