Must-see restaurants in Portugal

  • Tasca do Açougue

    Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês

    In a charming stone cottage just below the castle, Tasca do Açougue serves tasty Iberian tapas dishes, including grilled octopus and smoked meats, as well…

  • Cozinha da Sé

    Braga

    Contemporary artwork hangs from the exposed stone walls at this intimate, cheery place. Traditional standouts include baked bacalhau (dried salt-cod) and…

  • Porta Larga

    Coimbra

    Meat lovers should make a beeline for this workaday eatery renowned for its leitão (spit-roasted pork). For a taste on the hoof, go for a sandes de leitão…

  • Casa de Pasto Maria de Perre

    Viana do Castelo

    This convivial two-floor restaurant with exposed stone walls in a tiny side street off the waterfront gets very busy at lunchtime. The focus is on daily…

  • Santo António Atelier de Comida

    Faro

    Away from the tourist crowds, this neighbourhood restaurant excels in hearty Portuguese staples such as juicy cuts of pork, piri-piri chicken, Portuguese…

  • Sem Fim

    Monsaraz

    In Telheiro this former olive-oil factory has been transformed into an atmospheric eating and drinking space. The changing menu features a small selection…

  • Paprika & Cacau

    Trás-os-Montes

    Right in the historic heart of Chaves, with views of the castle, this quaint Galician-owned restaurant serves up locally sourced Spanish-style treats in…

  • Tasquinha D'Maria

    Estremadura & Ribatejo

    This rustic spot, with traditional paraphernalia from rural workers, is nothing fancy. But it serves up honest fare of great grills with excellent-quality…

  • Saber ao Borralho

    Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês

    This handsomely set place features excellent local dishes like the Minho barrosã steak as well as codfish dishes and a tempting dessert counter. Village…

  • Taberna do Valentim

    Viana do Castelo

    Since 1939, this bright and buzzing seafood restaurant has been serving fresh grilled fish by the kilo and rich seafood stews such as arroz de tamboril …

  • Gelataria Portuense

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Some of the best gelato in Porto is whipped into creamy, fruit-laden perfection at Portuense. Trained in Italy, Ana puts her own spin on ice cream in…

  • Bar Tolo

    Foz do Douro

    This fun little spot in a tall, narrow, sky-blue corner building has a tiny rooftop terrace sporting an ocean view, a rustic-chic vibe and a menu of…

  • Restaurante A Fateixa

    Vila Nova De Milfontes

    A Fateixa delivers good grills and seafood dishes – try the tamboril (monkfish) rice for two – and it has breezy outdoor tables. It’s excellent value…

  • Mabi

    Vila Nova De Milfontes

    Famed for its ice cream, Mabi is one of the icons of town, and it serves up creamy rich decadence to an often packed house. This buzzing bakery and…

  • Café Império

    Monchique

    Locals adore this place in Caldas de Monchique for what's considered the best piri-piri chicken in the region (ask for extra sauce if you like it hot)…

  • O Cangalho

    The Douro

    The funky, tricked-out vintage Land Rover parked out front may catch your eye, and as you come close you’ll notice the stylish bistro interior and fresh…

  • Lurdes Capela

    Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês

    Family-owned and operated, this restaurant offers top-end service and even better food served on a pleasant, open-air upstairs terrace. Look for it on the…

  • O Careto

    Trás-os-Montes

    Inside a traditional house in Varge village, the lovely Fátima presides over this family-run restaurant, which has been serving delicious dishes…

  • Restaurante A Floresta

    The Beiras

    This snug family-run place is a reliable bet for huge helpings of hearty regional cuisine. That means heaving plates of grilled meats and sausages served…

  • Pizzeria Claudio

    The Beiras

    Take a break from bacalhau (dried salt-cod) and bife (steak) with a pizza from this long-standing favourite. It gets very busy in summer so expect lines…

  • O Bule

    The Beiras

    If you fancy a coffee and a piece of cake, search out this cosy cafe near the cathedral. Here you can try some finger-licking local pastries, including…

  • Delice Garden

    Setúbal

    This cute little cafe offers the best vantage point for optimal people-watching and Instagram-ready plaza views. It does good crepes, bruschettas,…

  • Marisqueira Costa Alentejana

    Zambujeira Do Mar

    Everyone’s favourite seafood restaurant in town serves up mouthwatering octopus, rice dishes, tender crab and other plates of uberfresh seafood. Wash it…

  • Marisqueira Tezinho

    The Beiras

    Bustling and laid-back, this is one of several eateries facing on to the lagoon. The oars and nautical paraphernalia hint at what to expect: fresh-off-the…

  • Cervejaria Marquês

    The Alentejo

    Porto Côvo’s favourite dining spot is set on the town’s main square, with inviting outdoor tables, a smart tiled interior and scrumptious plates of…

  • Churrasqueira O Braseiro

    The Minho

    Rain or shine, there's always a line at this unpretentious neighbourhood churrasqueira, which cooks up amazing grilled chicken and steaks, served at…

  • A Lanterna

    Nazaré

    This cosy, if touristy, place specialises in cataplana (a bouillabaisse simmered with herbs, tomatoes, onions and wine steamed in a domed copper dish),…

  • Spirito Cupcakes & Coffee

    Braga

    Don't miss the artisanal gelato at this always buzzing shop, where lines form out the door for a cup or cone of oatmeal-, cookie- or bubblegum-flavoured…

  • Casa da Fernanda

    Ericeira

    For a sweet little treat, pop into this simple pastelaria for Ericeira's best ouriço – a small, muffin-like almond cake with a crusty top that hails from…

  • Restaurante O Alentejano

    Baixo Alentejo

    This handsome place, above a cafe of the same name, in a former mansion, serves delicious traditional cuisine. Go for the daily specials – anything from…

  • O Relógio

    Madeira

    O Relógio, above the Camacha wicker shop and factory, is the best eating option in town for a full meal. It has many Madeiran staples on the menu and the…

  • Cafe-Restaurante Lumumba

    Monsaraz

    This small place has a more local, less touristy clientele who come for filling, inexpensive staples. Don’t let duelling TVs and neon lights deter you,…

  • Dan's Finger Food & Drinks

    Guimarães

    A young crowd queues up nightly at this trendy burger joint that does picanha (steak) burgers and tasty finger food like chicken and fish nuggets, all…

  • A Coluna

    Alto Alentejo

    Fancying itself as the town’s ‘gourmet’ number, this tavern-cavern offers an elegant space with azulejos on the walls. Pork and bacalhau (codfish) dishes…

  • Museu Nacional Soares dos Reis Cafe

    Miragaia

    The museum's tranquil cafe is a fine spot for a lunch special (there's always a vegetarian option) or come to linger over a coffee and slice of homemade…

  • Gelateria Porto Cruz

    Vila Nova de Gaia

    Port-flavoured ice cream…what's not to love? This modish new gelateria is the perfect pit stop for a hot day – grab a cone and head down to the riverfront…

  • Mercado do Livramento

    Setúbal

    Amid life-size statues of vendors (fruit sellers, fishmongers etc), you can assemble a first-rate picnic at this enticing cast-iron market: cheese, olives…

  • Adega Regional Quelha

    The Douro

    One of several low-key adegas (wine taverns) along the river's south bank, Quelha is a good place to sample regional delicacies such as Amarante’s fine…

  • Mercado Municipal Dom Pedro V

    Coimbra

    A colourful stop for self-caterers, this market is full of lively fruit and veg stalls, fishmongers and butchers shops displaying the full range of…

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