De Castro Gaia

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 priced ports and wines with petiscos and mains such as octopus rice and pork cheeks cooked in red wine and cumin. There are fine views across the Douro to the houses of old Porto spilling down the hillside.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Vila Nova de Gaia attractions

1. Espaço Porto Cruz

This swanky port-wine emporium inside a restored 18th-century riverside building celebrates all things port. In addition to a shop where tastings are held…

2. Igreja de Santa Marinha

0.14 MILES

In the quaint, alley-woven heart of Vila Nova da Gaia sits this whitewashed church. Built in the 14th century, it was given a baroque makeover in the 18th…

3. Teleférico de Gaia

0.19 MILES

Don't miss a ride on this aerial gondola that provides fine views over the Douro and Porto on its short, five-minute jaunt. It runs between the southern…

4. Jardim do Morro

0.2 MILES

The cable car swings up to this hilltop park, which can also be reached by crossing the upper level of Ponte de Dom Luís I. Shaded by palms, these gardens…

5. Praça da Ribeira

0.21 MILES

Down by the Rio Douro, narrow streets open out onto a plaza framed by austerely grand, tiled town houses overlooking a picturesque stretch of the river…

6. Cais da Ribeira

0.23 MILES

This riverfront promenade is postcard Porto, taking in the whole spectacular sweep of the city, from Ribeira's pastel houses stacked like Lego bricks to…

7. Casa do Infante

0.23 MILES

In this handsomely renovated medieval town house, according to legend, Henry the Navigator was born in 1394. The building later served as Porto’s first…

8. Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar

0.26 MILES

Watching over Gaia is this 17th-century hilltop monastery, with its striking circular cloister, church with gilded altar, and stellar river views from its…