Must-see restaurants in Portugal

  • Taberna do Quinzena

    Ribatejo

    The theme of this fabulous, atmospheric neighbourhood hang-out is forcadeiros (Portuguese bullfighters), and it celebrates these through its posters,…

  • Loggia

    Coimbra

    As much as its confident modern cuisine, the Loggia's big draw is its setting, on a panoramic terrace overlooking the old town. There's open-air seating…

  • Cabana do Peixe

    Portugal

    It's worth the schlep 15km east of Palácio Nacional de Mafra for creatively tweaked cataplanas (seafood stews in copper cookware), seafood rices, massadas…

  • Cantina 32

    Ribeira

    Industrial-chic meets boho at this delightfully laid-back haunt, with its walls of polished concrete, mismatched crockery, verdant plants, and vintage…

  • Volta e Meia

    The Beiras

    A casual cafe-restaurant with light floral decor and uplifting messages chalked on blackboards, this is a charming spot for a relaxed meal. The menu runs…

  • Kiosk Agapito

    Odeceixe

    Overlooking the surf, this new-generation beach cafe with aqua-and-white tiles and terrace-only seating uses local produce in breakfasts, sharing platters…

  • A Tasquinha

    Nazaré

    This exceptionally friendly family affair has been running for 50-plus years, serving high-quality seafood in a pair of snug but prettily tiled dining…

  • A Carvalheira

    The Minho

    For superb food and an excellent wine list, head for this charming stone-walled restaurant in pretty countryside 5km southeast of town. Order ahead if you…

  • Vinum

    Vila Nova de Gaia

    Vinum manages the delicate act of combining 19th-century port-lodge charm with contemporary edge. Peer through to the barrel-lined cellar from the pine…

  • Gavião Novo

    Funchal

    Madeira's top seafood restaurant is an intimate affair at the heart of the Zona Velha, attracting tourists, locals and Portuguese rich and famous, who…

  • Gadanha Mercearia e Restaurante

    Alto Alentejo

    This foodie-loving spot brilliantly merges traditional local products with contemporary touches. Extraordinary petiscos (snacks) include linguiça de porco…

  • Cavalariça Comporta

    The Alentejo

    Seasonally inspired Cavalariça, in the heart of Comporta village, wins hearts for bucking tradition in favour of creating a modern, foodie-focused dining…

  • Solar do Forcado

    Alto Alentejo

    The current owner is a former forcado (performer of a specific style of Portuguese bullfighting), as was his father, as attested by the many photos and…

  • A Tasca

    Sagres

    Seafood doesn't come fresher than at this converted fish warehouse, with a timber-decked terrace overlooking the marina and Ilhotes do Martinhal offshore…

  • Vila Adentro

    Faro

    With tables on the square in Faro's old town and a dining room decorated with floor-to-ceiling azulejos, this Moorish 15th-century building is a romantic…

  • A Cozinha

    Guimarães

    Awarded a Michelin star in November 2018 after only two years in business, António Loureiro's intimate restaurant is Guimarães' newest go-to address. The…

  • Casa de Pasto das Carvalheiras

    Braga

    This colourful eatery with a long bar serves up delectable, weekly changing pratinhos (small plates), from codfish confit with bok choy and noodles, to…

  • A Eira do Mel

    Sagres

    A rustic former farmhouse 9km north of Sagres is the atmospheric setting for José Pinheiro's lauded slow-food cooking. Seafood is landed in Sagres, with…

  • Résvés

    Guimarães

    The upstairs restaurant and the downstairs bar are equally inviting at this newcomer opposite one of Guimarães prettiest squares. Feast on tapas or…

  • O Tonel

    Tavira

    Contemporary Portuguese cuisine is complemented by a striking dining room of scarlet walls and azulejos. Begin with petiscos like chorizo sautéed in…

  • Restaurante O Barradas

    Silves

    The star choice for foodies is this converted farmhouse 4.5km south of Silves, which utilises sustainably sourced fish and organic meat and vegetables in…

  • Clube Naval Praia da Assenta

    Ericeira

    Hidden down a steeply zigzagging road clinging to sea cliffs 14km north of Ericeira, this low-key find was opened by a family of fisher-folk in 1998…

  • Vila Joya Restaurant

    Albufeira

    Helmed by Austrian chef Dieter Koschina, this fine-dining restaurant in the Vila Joya resort was Portugal's first to gain two Michelin stars. Koschina…

  • Tasca do Celso

    Vila Nova De Milfontes

    The choice. Locals and travellers from far and wide rave about the excellent cuisine produced in the kitchen of this charming, ‘upmarket rustic’ blue-and…

  • Cafe Santiago

    Aliados & Bolhão

    This is hands down one of the best places to try Porto's classic gut-busting treat, the francesinha – a thick, open-faced sandwich piled with cheese,…

  • Frangasqueira Nacional

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    This tiny, mostly takeaway-only grill (the new location now spares space for two tables) does splendid chicken, ribs, crioula sausage and turkey kebabs…

  • Estrela do Mar

    Estremadura & Ribatejo

    In an utterly memorable position on the water, this classic seafood place scores top marks for location: the dining room is right over the waves above São…

  • Wine Bar by Cristal

    The Beiras

    This cosy wine-bar–restaurant is the hottest ticket in town. Tapas and other dishes are served creatively and with pizzazz, while oenophiles can take…

  • Nau dos Corvos

    Peniche

    It's just you and the sea out here at Cabo Carvoeiro, 2.5km from town at the tip of the peninsula. As you gaze out at the Atlantic from the windy rooftop…

  • Pedra de Sal

    The Beiras

    Winningly done out in dark wood, this cosy wine-bar-restaurant is the best in Luso by far. Its menu covers the usual array of meat and fish dishes;…

  • Vermelhudo

    Baixo Alentejo

    Locals and visitors alike receive a warm welcome at this cosy traditional eatery on the western fringes of the old centre. Family recipes from the owner…

  • Sete Restaurante

    Coimbra

    Squeezed into a corner behind the Igreja de Santa Cruz, this intimate restaurant is one of the most popular in town. Its casual wine bar vibe, personable…

  • Praça 18

    The Beiras

    This cool retro-hip cafe features mismatched vintage furniture, blackboards and a menu that lists everything from gourmet hamburgers to salads and snacks…

  • A Peixaria

    Aveiro

    It might not be the easiest to get to but there's never a shortage of diners at this no-frills fish restaurant, reckoned by many to be the best in the…

  • O Marquês

    Viana do Castelo

    A tremendous backstreet find, this place is absolutely jammed with locals for the platos do dia. Think baked cod with white beans or roasted turkey leg…

  • Eel brioche at Bomfim 1869

    Bomfim 1896

    Pinhão

    A collaboration between Chef Pedro Lemos and the family of the Symington Estate, Bomfim 1896 is a light and airy barn overlooking the rolling hills of the…

  • Burro Velho

    Estremadura & Ribatejo

    Batalha's best, a bustling place serving up great modern Portuguese fare – seafood rices for two (€28 to €65), fresh catches of the day and a bulhão pato…

  • Távola

    Foz do Arelho

    In the village, at the entrance from the east, this place serves up the town's best local cooking, with tasty copper cataplanas (seafood stews) served on…

  • João da Vila Velha

    Portugal

    Located just enough off the tourist path, old school chef João runs this authentic and colourful neighbourhood tasca. There's a wealth of simple but…

  • O Crispim

    Estremadura & Ribatejo

    It's worth seeking this place out for an atmosphere full of good cheer without any ostentatious piety. It's a comfortably rustic sort of place serving…

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