Best Restaurants In Porto: The Ultimate Food Guide
Portugal should be on anyone’s bucket list, as it has a rich culture and outstanding food.
With my Porto Food Guide, I aim to highlight the best places to eat in Porto.
I did extensive research because my time in the city was limited and I wanted to make sure I hit the Porto food scene hard, leaving without regrets. Fitting all my findings into a few days wasn’t possible, so I listed my “wanted to go” places at the end of this post. If you have more time than I did, perhaps you can let me know if they were as worth it as I predicted.
My Porto food guide is rich in traditional cuisine and a mix of budgets. Portugal is generally affordable.
Places marked with a * are my favourite spots among the best restaurants in Lisbon.
Porto Food Guide: Where to Eat in Porto
Protest Kitchen*: Best place in Porto to eat breakfast
Amongst all our breakfasts, my favourite was at Protest Kitchen, so it deserves to be in my Porto Food Guide.
Here is where you go for a premium breakfast in a relaxed ambience with friendly service. This all-day breakfast/brunch cafe is slightly outside the tourist area, which clearly shows that the business relies on locals; therefore, quality (of food) will matter more than quantity (of daily guests).
The menu rotates between the Eastern Mediterranean Europe and Middle Eastern flavours. I had delicious French Toast, which might be off the menu right now, but surely there is something that will satisfy your taste buds.
The coffee was excellent, one of the best I had in Portugal.
The atmosphere was very relaxed and inclusive.
Price Range
£
Best to Book?
No, Walk-ins only
Good To Know
Before You Go
Head here if you are looking for a Middle Eastern/Greek-Cypriot-Turkish flavours.
Best Pastel de Nata in Porto: Castro A Small boutique Pastel de Nata Shop
Pastel de Nata, also known as Pastel de Belem (you probably heard about the Tower of Belem, which takes its name from the homonym district), is a traditional egg custard pastry served all over Portugal. Despite plenty of shops scattered all over Porto, we decided to try Manteigaria and Castro.
Now, I’m no expert, but I can tell you what I like. My preference for Pastel de Nata is purely based on my personal taste and experience.
I believe Castro was more delicate and crunchy, and the flavours were perfectly blended.
Castro is a small boutique Pastel de Nata shop with only two stores, Porto and Lisbon.
Good To Know
Before You Go
Castro is a Boutique Pastel De Nata Shop.
They also have one in Porto
Cantina 32*: Where to eat A Whole Octopus in Porto – What To Order
Cantina 32 is right in the middle of Porto’s busiest street, Rua das Flores, a central street that offers a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and cocktail bars.
Amongst my Best Restaurants in Porto research ahead of the trip, I came across Cantina 32, which claimed to serve whole octopuses. I couldn’t believe it, as I’m a huge devourer of them. We got to Porto, and on the first evening. We managed to join the walk-in line at 6 p.m., but not long after, they were refusing people to queue up due to the reservations. In fact, I highly recommend booking in advance if you can; details below.
Cantina 32 offers a private dining room on the lower floor, which was used to accommodate walk-ins when we went, as it was raining and the terrace wasn’t accessible. Being able to sit in the private dining room made the experience feel special.
The industrial-rustic decor of the restaurant reminded me of some cafes I saw in Asia.
What to Order at Cantina 32
The menu, too, definitely had some inspiration from Asia, like the tuna tataki.
I like how they have categorised the menu, dividing the cold/hot starters and the small/large main courses. The portions are very generous; I suggest you don’t overorder. You can always add more dishes.
The best part? The prices are pretty reasonable, with main courses ranging from 15 to 33 euros per person.
I suggest you order the traditional Portuguese calamari stew with bread in broth and the whole octopus (this dish is for two people or one starving person). We had two desserts: the Cantina 32 best chocolate cake, served in a beach bucket, and the meringue, served with chocolate, toffee and wild berries. We decided to stay local and choose a bottle of Nieport’s “Dialogo Douro”.
The food was incredible, and I recommend adding Cantina 32 to your “where to eat in Porto” list.
The food quality was excellent, and it was well worth the visit.
Good To Know
Before You Go
If you don’t have a booking, head there as earliest as possible, as you have more chances to get a table.
Taberna dos Mercadores*: Possibly The Best Restaurant in Porto
Since 2015, it has been serving traditional meals, and its reputation has exceeded Portugal’s borders. Many local and international publications praised Taberna dos Mercadores, calling it the best traditional restaurant in Porto.
Undoubtedly, this is the gem of my Porto Food Guide, hidden in a Ribeira street, a very narrow alley. I loved seeing how the two brothers run the business seamlessly, handling the endless queue of walk-ins trying to get a seat here.
Getting there 30 minutes before the doors open didn’t save us from waiting almost 1 hour. We were lucky; at some point, they had to turn down some walk-ins because the kitchen would have closed soon and they couldn’t cater for them.
The service is both attentive and quick. There isn’t space for romance; the place is small and packed with as many tables as possible, roughly 10. I don’t think people are coming to Taberna dos Mercadores in search of that, anyway; this is the place where foodies will die to eat.
The menu has everything a person would want to try traditional Portuguese food; fish is a big part of the culinary culture, and the menu reflects that. There is quite a jump between the prices of the appetisers and main courses: the first is between 4€ and 11€, and the second is between 20€ and 32€.
I expect this reputable restaurant in Porto to change its menu seasonally; however, I will list our best picks in case they are available.
- Octopus salad
- “Bulhao Pato” clams
- Seafood rice (for two people).
- Lamb ribs served with grilled potatoes.
They have a daily dessert selection available at the counter. We tried the cooked pear and the cake of the day. Both exquisite and delectable.
Price Range
£
Best to Book?
Try your luck by calling in advance
+351 22 201 0510
Good To Know
Before You Go
Best way to get a table: Book two months in advance by phone or go earlier than the lunch opening time. Go at around 11.30 to try to get in when they open at around 12.30, as they will let in the first 10/12 people. If you fall behind this number, you will have to wait for someone to leave/reservations to don’t show up.
Dourum Experience: Best Port Tasting in Porto Far from the hustle and bustle
I doubt anyone visiting Porto will not consider having a Port tasting, at the very least.
With a short stroll from the main monuments in Ribeira, crossing the famous Dom Luís I bridge, you reach Vila Nova de Gaia, in other words, the world-famous district where most Port producers are. Here you can admire several Port makers’ shops, such as Graham’s Port, Sandeman, Niepoort, and many others.
I thought I would explore the area, and I found myself in a narrow street where a small producer, compared to the big names I also knew and had tried in London, was offering tastings of different Ports paired with nibbles. That was precisely what I was looking for, I cannot imagine having a wine tasting without any food, the alcohol will go directly to my brain, and I will start talking rubbish (for the happiness of my husband LOL- obviously I’m sarcastic).
For the sake of the experience and the price difference, we decided to go for the longest tasting (one in two), which included 6 different types of Port paired with a local charcuterie and cheeseboard, served with breadsticks. We paid 28.5€.
The waitress was rushed when she explained the difference between the Ports to us. The shop was overwhelmed and perhaps short-staffed, but we still had a relaxing experience sitting at the table in the beautiful alley, where we could soak in the Portuguese atmosphere.
Dourum Experience also offers wine tastings ranging from whites to Vinhos Verde and reds.
If you have enough time, consider visiting the vineyards on the outskirts of Porto for an immersive experience.
Make sure you book it in advance, as in peak season it might be hard to get a spot.
Price Range
£
Best to Book?
No, Walk-ins only
Good To Know
Before You Go
Castro is a Boutique Pastel De Nata Shop.
They also have one in Porto
1927 Gelataria Portuense: Best Ice Cream Worth Mention On Porto Food Guide
In the hot days in Porto, having an ice cream is quite a fantastic feeling. I was looking for an ice cream shop, or a gelateria, as I will call it in Italian, and surprisingly, not many popped up on my Google Maps. Not a problem, less to sound out.
1927 Gelataria was the one that had caught my interest the most, as it seems a little more premium than the other ice cream shops in Porto I saw. Premium, not as in a fancy way, but in quality.
What really stands out, and the reason 1927 Gelataria deserves a space in my Porto Food Guide, is the meticulous choice of flavours. Here you can taste the best of the best ingredients, sourced seasonally, with a strong focus on gluten-free and dairy-free options. This focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients aims to inspire food enthusiasts to try new, high-quality flavours.
The menu board showcases both classic and premium sorbet and ice cream flavours. You can select from the same price category or mix premium and classic options for a small surcharge. The flavours harmonise beautifully, and the gelato is velvety and creamy, striking the perfect balance without becoming overly “buttery”.
It might be slightly overpriced compared to other places, but the quality and generous quantity make it worth it.
Price Range
££
Best to Book?
No, Walk-ins only
Good To Know
Before You Go
Slightly overpriced for some, but totally worth it.
Dairy-free and Gluten-free options available.
The Royal Cocktail Club: Best Cocktail Bar in Porto – Intimate & sophisticated
Porto’s cocktail bar scene is pretty good, and it was hard to choose where to go. Ultimately, we ended at The Royal Cocktail Club. The perfect place for an intimate atmosphere while drinking a sophisticated drink.
I’m a big fan of the Roaring ’20s, and the speakeasy vibes and contemporary soul drew me in with its dim lighting, marble top, and velvet sofas.
For the one who loves to interact with the bartender, there is the chance to sit at the bar counter. I always have great fun sitting at a counter, whether in a restaurant or a cocktail bar. The bar display has an excellent list of distinctive spirits, and the cocktails were equally top-notch.
The best way to sip the essence of this incredible cocktail bar, which is also on the world’s best list, is to choose from its exclusive signature cocktails.
I just had the most fantastic cocktail called “Neverland”! It was a dreamy cloud of flavours, impeccably blended. The sweetness of the salted caramel and cotton candy, in contrast with the Remy Martin 1738 and the Pocas Tawny, was perfection. Cheers to the perfect drink!
My husband had “Magic Mike”, which was more complex, with a sharp whisky note and citrus flavours. He was also very pleased with his cocktail – He almost didn’t let me try it!
If it’s no longer on the menu during your visit, you can ask for it; they undoubtedly still have the recipe in their book.
Our cocktails were 13€ each.
Price Range
£
Best to Book?
Call ahead
+351 22 205 9123
or Walk-in
Good To Know
Before You Go
Castro is a Boutique Pastel De Nata Shop.
They also have one in Porto
Conclusion + Still on my bucket list!
As we get towards the end of my Food Guide about the Best restaurants in Porto, I had more places on my list, but either I didn’t have enough time, or they were closed when I wanted to visit. However, based on my research, they deserve a visit. I’ve included my best picks below and marked them on my Google map.
Below, you’ll find my top recommendations, marked on my Google Map, ready to inspire your culinary journey.
- Torto (Cocktail bar)
- Bonita (Concept store with Food & Wine)
- Tia Tia Porto (Seasonal food, natural wines, cafe)
- Dop (Fine dining restaurant in Porto)
- Amura (Rooftop Lounge)
- Capela Incomum (wine bar & tapas)
I only had a few (far too few!) days in Porto, so I had to carefully choose where to go. This guide was an absolute lifesaver! One standout recommendation was Cantina 32—what a hidden gem! I went for the whole octopus, as Sara suggested, and oh my goodness—it was incredible! Sara’s advice was essential for securing a table, as the restaurant has limited seating and is always bustling. Following her tip, I arrived around 6 PM, and it worked perfectly. Highly recommend this spot and this guide!
LOVE this guide, thank you! I just came back from Porto and referred to this guide and your Instagram to check out some cool food spots. SPOT on about Castro – best pastel de nata I tried on my trip! 🙂