Must-see restaurants in The Douro & Trás-os-Montes

  • Tripeiro

    Aliados & Bolhão

    As fads come and go, restaurants dishing up good old-fashioned Portuguese grub are becoming scarce. Cue Tripeiro: a cosy, nouveau-rustic tavern where you…

  • Taberna d'Ávo

    Miragaia

    A little slice of authentic rusticity, this stone-walled, softly lit tavern fills up fast at weekends. Do as the locals do and order petiscos (Portuguese…

  • Chocolataria das Flores

    Ribeira

    This enticingly cosy hole-in-the-wall cafe rustles up light bites such as quiches and salads, but really they are just the prelude to the main act:…

  • Adega Gavina

    The Douro

    This long-standing riverfront favourite is first and foremost a seafood grill. Stroll into the kitschy interior and peruse the chalkboard menu, then…

  • Dourum

    Vila Nova de Gaia

    Matching a cosy stone-walled interior with a little pavement terrace facing the river, this bistro is literally a stone's throw from the Ponte de Dom Luís…

  • Traveller Caffé

    Aliados & Bolhão

    OK, it's by no stretch of the imagination a secret, but this traveller hangout still exudes a chilled vibe and is a great place to sip a proper hot…

  • Cultura dos Sabores

    Aliados & Bolhão

    A hip, healthy addition to central Porto, this vegetarian and vegan restaurant can easily be spotted by the swings in its window. You can help yourself to…

  • Gull

    Massarelos

    This slinky sushi lounge opens onto a decked terrace overlooking the Douro, or you can retreat to the softly lit, wood-floored interior, with bold art…

  • Casa do Bu

    Boavista

    Stone walls, clean lines and a funky modern fireplace create a contemporary look at this new urban cafe. Tank up on vitamins with a freshly made juice or…

  • Monchique

    Massarelos

    Down by the river, this restaurant morphs into a bar as the night wears on. Stone arches, art-slung walls and candlelight create a cosy vibe for petiscos,…

  • Adega Sete Condes

    Trás-os-Montes

    Tucked into a tiny corner near the turismo, this rustic, granite-walled spot has a small menu of well-prepared traditional dishes, including locally…

  • éLeBê Centro

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Service is slick and the vibe upbeat at this industro-cool bistro. Dishes such as grouper with clams, sea bass in an almond crust and veal with wild…

  • Quinta do Portal

    Pinhão

    Young chef Milton Ferreira presides over this swank modern restaurant looking out over the Quinta do Portal vineyards about 12km north of Pinhão. Diners…

  • Churrascão Gaúcho

    Boavista

    Churrascão Gaúcho is a rustic grill house in the best of Portuguese-Brazilian traditions, decked out with beams, stone walls and soft lighting. The stars…

  • Taberna do Jéréré

    Peso da Régua

    Excellent Portuguese dishes, including the house speciality bacalhau á Jéréré (dried salt-cod with shrimp, mushroom and spinach), are served in a…

  • O Abel

    Trás-os-Montes

    Well-known for top-notch barbecues prepared by Mr Abel himself, this long-established, family-run restaurant 7km east of Bragança draws crowds from all…

  • O Caraças

    Miragaia

    Run with heart and soul by a mother and her two daughters, this quaint stone-walled tavern is a homely gem. There's no menu per se, but generous helpings…

  • Confeitaria do Bolhão

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Right opposite the Mercado do Bolhão is this deliciously old-school patisserie, going strong since 1896. Here you can stock up on fresh bread, cakes and…

  • Dog

    Boavista

    No clues here for guessing that the house speciality is cachorros (hot dogs), albeit with gourmet toppings like brie and honey and onions cooked in port…

  • Bota & Birra

    Miragaia

    A cute little cubbyhole down a backstreet linking Ribeira to Miragaia, Bota & Birra has just a handful of tables and plenty of good vibes. Come for the…

  • São Pedro

    Trás-os-Montes

    Just in from the main old-town gate, this restaurant serves up a fine posta á São Pedro (grilled veal steak dressed with garlic and olive oil). The €13…

  • Capa d’Honras

    Trás-os-Montes

    Named after the sinister-looking cape that is traditional to the region, this upmarket place just inside the old town gates serves local specialities such…

  • Pedro dos Frangos

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Frango no espeto (spit-roasted chicken) is the name of the game at this extremely popular and inexpensive grill. Grab a spot at the stand-up counter and…

  • A Lareira

    Trás-os-Montes

    This recommended restaurant offers outstanding local beef, veal and mushrooms grilled on an open fireplace by the French-trained proprietor. The small,…

  • A Grade

    Ribeira

    Both a humble mum-and-dad operation and a masterwork of traditional fare, with generously portioned standouts such as baked octopus in butter and wine,…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Carvalho

    Trás-os-Montes

    Carvalho’s top-notch regional dishes have earned recognition as some of Portugal’s best. It is hidden away amid the cluster of parkside cafes opposite the…

  • O Mirandês

    Trás-os-Montes

    Below the castle, just off the main road leading into the old town, this unassuming light-filled spot is popular with locals for its great-value lunch…

  • Tasca da Quinta

    Peso da Régua

    This cosy, well-priced family-run restaurant offers small plates of well-prepared Portuguese classics, paired with a solid selection of local wines. It's…

  • Aldeia Douro

    The Douro

    Great regional food is prepared with a twist at this friendly, contemporary restaurant with an attached wine bar. See their Facebook page for daily…

  • Confeitaria da Ponte

    The Douro

    Boasting a peaceful, shaded terrace overlooking the bridge, this tradi­tional bakery has the best ambience for enjoying Amarante’s famous pastries and…

  • A Tasquinha

    Peso da Régua

    Small and cosy, this tavern dishes out well-prepared regional mainstays with a focus on meat dishes. The portions are generous and the house wine of good…

  • Restaurante Bragança

    Aliados & Bolhão

    This authentic cheapie is rammed with locals tucking into grilled fish and meat at midday. Daily specials run between €5 and €6.50.