Aliados & Bolhão
Tucked away down a narrow alley, this softly lit, family-run restaurant brims with stone-walled, wood-beamed, art-slung nooks. The frequently changing…
Must-see restaurants in Portugal
Baixa & Rossio
The reason this bustling traditional restaurant is always packed around noon is its delicious leitão (suckling pig) sandwich, served on freshly baked…
Aveiro
Maré cheia means ‘high tide’ in Portuguese, but 'cheia' (full) applies equally to this popular seafood eatery. You'll often have to elbow your way through…
Mértola
This attractive place in Moreanes, 10km from Mértola on the way to São Domingos, is almost a museum thanks to its antique exhibits (including the local…
Faro
Sophisticated twists on Portuguese classics at this stylish restaurant in the old town might include xarém (maize porridge) with Ria Formosa clams,…
Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré
Baking pastéis de nata (custard tarts) really is like rocket science in Lisbon. This born-again butter factory gets it just right – crisp tarts that flake…
Foz do Douro
A bright, retro-cool cafe in a born-again 1950s grocery store by the seafront, the Mercearia do Miguel is a wholly inviting choice for a healthy breakfast…
Olhão
A white, modern interior is the stylish setting for first-rate traditional cooking using fresh produce purchased twice daily from the markets. Menu…
Foz do Douro
Hidden coyly away from the seafront, Cafeína has a touch of class, with soft light casting a flattering glow across its moss-green walls, crisp…
Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré
So good it even lures in devout carnivores, this small, hip and bustling place offers two elaborate, daily-changing chalkboard specials (eg Manchurian…
Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela
This rock ‘n’ roll bakery specialises in decadent cupcakes piled high with frosting (dive straight into the doce de leite if available!), as well as other…
Vila Nova de Gaia
Polished concrete, slatted wood and clean lines give this restaurant in the Espaço Porto Cruz a slick, contemporary look. The menu matches reasonably…
Évora
Jorge, the affable proprietor of Momentos, takes great pride in the bounty of the Alentejo, which he showcases each night on his changing blackboard menus…
Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela
Owner Filippo Licitra defected from Lisbon's Gelataria Nannarella and his rival gelataria, Davvero, boasts 35 or so changing flavours, so there's room for…
Vila Nova de Gaia
What a welcome addition to Gaia's riverfront this covered food market is! Nip in and see what takes your fancy at the independently run food stalls –…
Alto Alentejo
A stylish newcomer to Portalegre, Tomba Lobos serves beautifully prepared dishes that showcase the high-quality produce of the Alentejo. Roasted lamb,…
Évora
This tiny family-run restaurant serves exquisitely prepared Portuguese dishes using high-quality products. Start with sauté shrimp with garlic or stuffed…
Ribatejo
This place has the flavour of Ribatejo, from traditional Portugal recipes to modern dishes such as a Black Angus burger. The decor – a mix of modern and…
Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré
Casablanca native Rabea Esserghini runs a one-woman show at the wonderful Flor da Laranja. Service is slow, but the cosy North African ambience and…
Alfama, Castelo & Graça
At this circus school's casual cafe, the decidedly creative menu of Chef Bertílio Gomes is served alongside views worth writing home about. His modern…
Ribatejo
Bright, fun and contemporary, this loosely Spanish-themed bar attracts a trendy, younger crowd. It does innovative petiscos, high on presentation and…
Aljezur
Adjacent to the ruined fortress of Arrifana, O Paulo has a romantic covered terrace with majestic clifftop views as far as Cabo de São Vicente. The vistas…
Miragaia
What's not to love about the sensational views over the rooftops and down to the river from the terrace of this tucked-away cafe, fitted out with a…
Alto Alentejo
More upmarket than the average taverna, this inviting eatery serves excellent regional cooking. The attentive host is proud of his classic Portuguese…
Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela
Sharing is what this unassuming little place is all about. Its appealing menu of petiscos, such as Azeitão cheese, chorizo, garlic shrimps, pica-pau beef…
Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela
What started as Lisbon's only dedicated cheese shop has evolved into a fantastic place to sample over 60 top homemade cheeses from small regional…
Miragaia
The clue's in the name: Porta 4 has just four tables for a lucky handful of diners, so book ahead. If you can snag one of them, you're in for a treat:…
Albufeira
Famed for its cataplana – here, a delicious pork and clam combination – Veneza also turns out superb dishes such as polvo à lagereiro (tender octopus with…
Funchal
Two Michelin stars shine brightly from the kitchen of chef Benoît Sinthon, who supplies very well-heeled diners with aromatic Mediterranean and gourmet…
Albufeira
Higher-end restaurants tend to be out of town, but here you can splash out and still walk back to your hotel. The elegant but intimate interior, dressed…
Coimbra
Tucked down a nondescript alley, this hole-in-the-wall gem, papered with scholarly doodles and scribbled poems, is much loved for its hearty meat…
Funchal
Housed in an old stone-and-dark-beamed salt store, this is one of the city centre's best restaurants with a different menu to most of its competitors…
Estremadura & Ribatejo
This lovely spot, located on a hill behind Alcobaça in Bemposta, is an understated, modern, wooden-and-stone cabana with country-garden surrounds. It…
The Beiras
There's usually a good buzz at this modern restaurant just off the seafront. The name means 'salty mouth' so there's no prize for guessing the menu:…
Ribeira
Housed in a grand edifice, DOP is one of Porto's most stylish addresses, with its high ceilings and slick, monochrome interior. Much-feted chef Rui Paula…
Massarelos
Coyly tucked away on a lane back from the river, O Antigo Carteiro is as close as you'll get to eating in a Portuguese family home. Attentive, clued-up…
Ribeira
Nothing to do with mind-bending drugs, this slick, contemporary bistro sets the scene with soft lighting and lemon and grey hues. The chef cooks clean,…
Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré
This urban-cool space serves grilled fish by the kilo (market prices; check out the tempting fresh selection in the back), and Portuguese-leaning sushi …
Sagres
In an elegant old house accessed by a lovely, mature front garden, upmarket Vila Velha offers consistently good seafood mains (go for the catch of the day…
Baixo Alentejo
A short walk south of the historic centre, buzzing Pulo do Lobo is extremely popular with locals. They come from across the city for mouthwateringly fresh…
