Must-see restaurants in Portugal

  • Tapas Nas Costas

    Coimbra

    All the rage right now, this sophisticated spot boasts a prime location on the steep steps up the historic centre. Refined decor and friendly service set…

  • O Bairro

    Aveiro

    Classic Portuguese cuisine gets a fusion makeover at this smart, tiled eatery near the fish market. Bag a table in the spacious, light-filled interior and…

  • Papavinhos

    Massarelos

    This no-frills, family-run tavern extends a warm welcome and dishes up generous portions of home cooking. Try for a window table to see the river twinkle…

  • Manteigaria

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Hot on the heels of its sister bakery in Lisbon, Manteigaria serves some of the finest pastéis de nata in Porto. The crispy tartlets, filled with a rich,…

  • Bird

    Foz do Douro

    With its vintage birdcage lanterns, pretty floral prints and foliage-draped patio, this cafe is as cute as a button. It’s a wonderfully relaxed spot for…

  • The Place

    Alto Alentejo

    Run by a friendly expat couple, the Place has a small but well-curated selection of dishes that taste even better while enjoying the mesmerising views…

  • 1300 Taberna

    Lisbon

    A hodgepodge mess of rustic-chic chandeliers and exposed air ducts hovers over large communal-table seating at this LX Factory favourite. It dishes out…

  • Casa Guedes

    Aliados & Bolhão

    A roast-pork sandwich may seem simple on paper, but here it's a thing of beauty – tasty, filling, a bargain at €3.90 and served all day. Space is tight at…

  • Essência

    Boavista

    This bright, modern brasserie is famous Porto-wide for its generous vegetarian (and nonvegetarian!) dishes, stretching from wholesome soups and salads to…

  • Dona Amélia

    Funchal

    This little piece of elegant old Funchal has somehow survived amid the expanding concrete of this part of the Hotel Zone, offering Michelin-reviewed but…

  • Landeau

    Lisbon

    Landeau is quite simply about having your cake and eating it. The industro-cool cafe at the LX Factory is famous for its dark, dense, deliciously moist…

  • Restaurante O Caçador

    The Beiras

    Despite its name (The Hunter), this popular restaurant is the place for seafood in Guarda. Locals flock to its glass-fronted dining room to feast on…

  • Dom Peixe

    Porto

    Out of all the authentic indoor-outdoor places on Matosinhos' 'fish restaurant row', Dom Peixe stands out as being one of the best. Snag a table on the…

  • Dama Pé de Cabra

    Aliados & Bolhão

    The bemvindo is heartfelt at this cute, bottle-lined grocery-store-turned cafe. It’s a cheerful spot for breakfast, brunch, coffee and cake, or a laid…

  • As Velhas

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    No airs, no graces, just hearty helpings of Portuguese soul food served by delightfully old-school servers. The monkfish and clams in garlic and coriander…

  • Fragoleto

    Baixa & Rossio

    Fragoleto serves rich, creamy, Italian-style gelato made from seasonal fruit and other delectable, often ecologically sourced ingredients – the cinnamon…

  • Bonjardim

    Baixa & Rossio

    Juicy, spit-roast frango (chicken) is served with a mountain of fries at this no-frills joint. Add piri-piri (hot sauce) for extra spice. The pavement…

  • Tasca do Xico

    The Alentejo

    Much loved by locals, Tasca do Xico serves some of the best seafood in town. Go early (or reserve ahead) to score one of the tables in back overlooking…

  • Sincelo

    Aliados & Bolhão

    One of the best gelatarias in town to pick up a properly creamy, fruity ice-cream cone. Enough said.

  • Arvore interior

    Árvore do Mundo

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Árvore do Mundo joined Porto’s vegetarian and vegan dining scene in 2016 to cater for the growing number of locals and travellers eager to sniff out meat…

  • O Diplomata interior

    O Diplomata

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Pancakes steal the limelight at this trendy cafe, where you can tailor stacks of fluffy goodness to suit your taste. Start with a base of two or four…

  • A Portuguese cuisine restaurant in Lisbon where bacalhau is king

    Clube do Bacalhau

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Bacalhau (dried salt-cod) is the most popular dish of traditional Portuguese cuisine, and this vintage candlelit restaurant dedicates nearly a whole menu…

  • Portugandhi exterior

    Portugandhi

    Aliados & Bolhão

    If you’re craving curry, head uptown to Portugandhi (where you’ll find an Indian owner and cook, so you know it’s the real deal). Although off the tourist…

  • Santo Burga exterior 2

    Santo Burga

    Porto

    The artisanal burger creations at Santo Burga are big, juicy and damn delicious. Choose from conventional burger fillers like beef and chicken, or side…

  • Tarte de Lima exterior 2

    Tarte de Lima

    Porto

    Tarte de Lima is a local hideout found in a leafy street away from the tourist throng. Delish traditional Portuguese food is served up at bargain prices,…

  • Indo-mozambican fusion lunch meal menu at Zaafran

    Zaafran

    Marquês de Pombal & Around

    Mozambican-raised Indians run this subcontinental gem near Saldanha, an affordable option in the area and an alternative to the nearby shopping centre's…

  • Mozambican traditional food at one of the most culturally diverse quarters of Lisbon, Mouraria

    Cantinho do Aziz

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Hidden away in a narrow alleyway in the culturally diverse quarter of Mouraria, festive Cantinho do Aziz gets top marks for excellent Mozambican cuisine…

  • Fábrica da Nata exterior 2

    Fábrica da Nata

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Porto has tailed Lisbon with a nata factory that churns out silky fresh-baked pastéis de nata (custard tarts) throughout the day. Throw €1 in the slot…

  • Steak n Shake interior

    Steak 'n' Shake

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Munch and slurp your way through a deliciously artery-clogging 100% beef burger, hand-cut fries and a cherry-topped shake at this funky diner. The red…

  • O Fumeiro deli

    O Fumeiro

    Aliados & Bolhão

    If you relish tradition and prefer local favourites to tourist traps, stroll uptown to this glass-front bakery where a colourful collection of cakes and…

  • Casa Diogo exterior

    Casa Diogo

    Miragaia

    The Diogo family welcomes guests into this cafe like it’s their home, and the fact that the space is a renovated house with tables split across three…

  • Antunes pernil

    Antunes

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Antunes is all about the pernil assado – a giant hunk of smoky roast pig so tender you can shred it with your fork. The rowdy restaurant also serves other…

  • Ponto Dois exterior landscape 2

    Ponto Dois

    Boavista

    Join the white-collar crowd from Porto’s financial district for a quick lunch or pastry in this sleek and modern cafe. There’s plenty of room for everyone…

  • Dinner or drinks with a view at Less

    Less

    Baixa & Rossio

    With a view of Lisbon's landmarks, including the Santa Justa elevator and the Carmo Convent ruins, this rooftop bar and restaurant from chef Miguel Castro…

  • Mercador exterior portrait

    Mercador Café

    Ribeira

    Mercador is a cute and cosy pit stop smack bang in the middle of one of Porto’s prettiest streets, Rua das Flores. Browse the sweets cabinet for homemade…

  • Located inside the restored Art Nouveau hotel 1908, the menu translates the multicultural atmosphere of the neighbourhood with high-end fusion cuisine (Portuguese, Indian and Asian)

    Infame

    Lisbon

    Infame is located inside the restored art-nouveau Hotel 1908, and its menu translates the multicultural atmosphere of the neighbourhood with high-end…

  • The Portuguese cuisine dishes are served in generous portions and the location is ideal for dinner before an evening bar-hopping in nearby Bairro Alto, with fewer crowds.

    Kitchen Chiado

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Although located in the heart of one of the most touristy areas of Lisbon, this restaurant is frequented by both locals and visitors, who come for the…

  • Black Mamba exterior

    Black Mamba Burgers & Records

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Black Mamba is one of Porto’s most unique eating establishments, offering a curious combo of vego food and heavy metal. The record store-cum-restaurant…

  • Cafe with a casual environment serving breakfast all day long

    Dear Breakfast

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    If you believe breakfast is a meal you can have at any time of day, and you're craving some eggs Benedict, this French-run, all-breakfast, all-the-time…

  • Quintal Bioshop garden

    Quintal Bioshop

    Miragaia

    Tucked at the back of an organic grocery store, this bright, cheery deli opens onto a terrace and serves healthy, wholesome vegetarian food. It does fresh…

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