Coimbra
In a wonderful position opposite the majestic old cathedral, this restaurant sees many tourists but nevertheless offers up tasty regional dishes…
Must-see restaurants in The Beiras
Aveiro
What better place to dine on seafood than the fish market? On the first floor of the market building, this industrial-chic restaurant serves up canal…
Aveiro
As authentic as they come, this modest family-run place is largely shielded from travellers due to its side-street location. We think it's great – the…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
A local favourite, the vine-covered terrace of this cheerfully boisterous restaurant heaves at weekends as families and groups of friends crowd in for a…
Viseu
The Cacimbo is a lifesaver on Sunday evenings, when virtually every restaurant in central Viseu is closed. The dining room, next to its own busy takeaway,…
The Beiras
Ensconced in a traditional stone house off Largo Padre Francisco Ferreira, Área Benta is reckoned to be the best restaurant in town. Its spacious interior…
Viseu
This unabashedly upper-crust spot under the looming Igreja da Misericórdia specialises in fine regional cuisine made with ingredients from the nearby…
The Beiras
The clue's in the name – Hunter's Retreat – and the mounted boars' heads on the stone wall. This small, much frequented rustic restaurant is all about the…
Aveiro
A vegetarian restaurant is a rare sight in this part of the country, so vegans will delight at finding Ki, a colourful backstreet eatery serving organic…
Coimbra
This marvellous family-run place specialises in homemade Portuguese standards such as chanfana (goat) cooked in red wine, and dobrada (tripe) served with…
Aveiro
With its low wooden ceilings, long bar (ideal for solo diners) and hanging curios, this old-school favourite oozes character. The menu lists daily…
Aveiro
On a narrow sidestreet off busy Rua do Tenente Resende, this woody, nautically-themed restaurant is worth tracking down. Its daily specials are backed up…
The Beiras
On the main road through the modern village, O Celta (The Celt) serves up a cheerful farmhouse atmosphere and filling country staples, including a…
Viseu
For an atmospheric setting, few spots can rival Colmeia's summer terrace by the medieval walls. In the colder months, action reverts to the rustic…
The Beiras
Head to Buarcos at the northern end of the beachfront for a fishy fill-up at this humble, old-school tavern. A favourite with holidaymakers, its prime sea…
The Beiras
Fresh fish on the beach. It's a simple formula but one that has served the ever-popular Caçanito well over the years. Housed in an unadorned wood and…
The Beiras
Just below the village proper, this likeable place is a rather surprising find, situated as it is in a modern municipal building. The panoramic dining…
The Beiras
Friendly, fast and efficient, this is the sort of place where you join the locals for simple, home-cooked fare with the TV on in the corner. The menu…
The Beiras
A stop at this seafront geladeria is a rite of passage for any ice-cream fan. Choose from the array of classic flavours or push the boat out and go for…
The Beiras
Overlooking the green slopes opposite the village, the terrace of this casual snack bar is a sunny spot for a simple fill-up, perhaps a door-stopper…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
The Beiras
This modest neighbourhood restaurant excels in tasty grilled dishes, both fish and meat. Standouts include toothsome grilled squid and an Argentine-style…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Viseu
Self-caterers will find fruit, vegetables and other goodies at Viseu's produce market. Things are at their liveliest on the ground floor, where the fruit…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
Housed in a rustic wood and stone building, this bar-restaurant is a popular student hangout, good for a beer and a simple meal, perhaps a hamburger or…
The Beiras
This modest, no-frills restaurant, in a traditional schist house, is good for no-nonsense mountain food such as grilled trout and bife de vaca (steak).
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
A basic, no-frills village cafe where the locals stop by for a drink and chat. It's good for a coffee and a quick snack, say a toasted sandwich.
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
This workaday bakery-cafe fills early as locals stop by for their morning coffee and pastry. As well as quick breakfasts, it's good for picnic provisions…
Coimbra
Cheery Itália serves reasonably good Italian food – including tasty pizza – but what really draws the crowds is its incomparable location. The sunny glass…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
For a change from the traditional Portuguese fare served at most mountain eateries, this tiny place makes great pizza; perfect for a pre- or post-hike…
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
Run by local character Senhor Júlio, this modest backstreet eatery is known for its regional cuisine. House specialities include cabrito à serrana …
