The 10 best restaurants in Porto, a coastal city in north-western Portugal, range from upscale dining experiences to lovely local eateries. Porto might be famed for its UNESCO World Heritage centre and clusters of colourful buildings, but its culinary scene is as equally enthralling. Here, Michelin-starred restaurants sit next to tatty but charming ‘tascos’ that serve hearty peasant recipes, passed down through family generations.

Whether you’re dining in the heart of the city itself, or have ventured to Porto’s windswept coastline, you’ll find a remarkable array of eateries catering to all types of budgets. Our guide to the best restaurants in Porto will see you sampling boundary-pushing dishes and authentic Portuguese classics from self-taught cooks and award-winning chefs.

  • 1

    Casa de Chá da Boa Nova

    A Michelin-starred masterclass

    Casa de Chá da Boa Nova
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    Perched on a rocky outcrop on Portugal’s dramatic Atlantic coast, Casa de Chá da Boa Nova is an award-winning restaurant that offers panoramic ocean views and a seafood-centric menu. Designed by architect Álvaro Siza Vieira, this contemporary waterfront space is all minimalist wood panelling and crisp white table cloths, elevated with throw cushions that are inspired by stripey beach chairs.

    Feast on succulent dishes including scarlet shrimp with pineapple, lobster with olive oil and crawfish in Korean broth. Dessert is simply heavenly with a number of plates stealing the spotlight like cacao and lychee gelati and elegant petit fours.

    Location: Av. Liberdade 1681, 4450-718 Leça da Palmeira, Portugal

    Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 12.30 pm to 3 pm and 7.30 pm to 11 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

    Phone: +351 22 994 0066

    Map
  • 2

    Mundo

    Ethnic enclave with an artisan interior

    Mundo
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Famed for its street-art style murals that adorn the walls, Mundo is a hip multicultural restaurant that’s headed by the talented chef, Gabriel Silva. Fresh ingredients and fusion techniques are the star of the show here (although the sleek turquoise chairs and olive-green bar also win points).

    Grab a spot at a sleek industrial table and enjoy visually spectacular plates of marinated tuna served with pomegranates, tandoori chicken with mango, jalapeno and sriracha mayonnaise and Wagyu ribeye with truffle panko potatoes. Dessert is to die for, so make sure you save room. Try the white chocolate panna cotta and the warm hazelnut churros.

    Location: Rua da Picaria 58, 4050-478 Porto, Portugal

    Open: Daily from 7 pm to midnight

    Phone: +351 91 074 6864

    Map
  • 3

    Fava Tonka

    Imaginative plant-based cuisine

    Fava Tonka
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Unusual

    With its chic barn-style interior and gorgeous hanging pot plants, you’d be right in thinking that Fava Tonka leans towards vegan and vegetarian cuisine. Every plant-based dish here is a visually-arresting flavour explosion that’s been executed with the upmost care by the stellar team, whether that’s a simple but elegant entrée or a surprisingly filling main.

    To start, try the naturally fermented bread with olive oil and butter before moving onto showstoppers like the chickpea tartlet with shitake pickles, or the mushroom pastry spritzed with eucalyptus jus. For dessert, the quince and serra cheese board is not to be missed, nor is the lavender ice cream or the honey and pollen caramel.

    Location: R. Santa Catarina 100, 4450-631 Leça da Palmeira, Portugal

    Open: Thursday–Friday from 7 pm to 11 pm, Saturday–Monday from 12.30 pm to 3 pm and 7.30 pm to 11 pm (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

    Phone: +351 91 534 3494

    Map
  • 4

    Adega São Nicolau

    Homestyle Portuguese comfort food

    Adega São Nicolau
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Adega São Nicolau is instantly recognisable thanks to its curvaceous wooden ceiling that illuminates after the sun sets. This atmospheric restaurant might look swanky but it draws in foodies with its homely Portuguese cooking, country-wide wine list, simple desserts and traditional fado singers.

    If you’re feeling brave, try peasant-style dishes like stewed veal tongue with potato chips, or stick to classics like chicken bordelaise and deep-fried octopus fillets. To finish, dip your spoon into a ring of Quindim (a Brazilian sweet that’s made from egg yolks, sugar and coconut) or enjoy a slice of Toucinho do Céu (a pudding originating in Portuguese convents).

    Location: R. de São Nicolau 1, 4050-561 Porto, Portugal

    Open: Monday–Saturday from midday to 10.30 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +351 22 200 8232

    Map
  • 5

    Puro 4050

    Easy-going Italian trattoria

    Puro 4050
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    Made famous for its hefty jars of mozzarella cheese, Puro 4050 offers delicious deli plates of Parma ham and Bologna mortadella, as well as charcoal-grilled meats like beef tenderloin. Those looking for classic Italian pasta can dig into a bowl of porcini penne with truffle cream or risotto finished with chestnuts and octopus.

    Seat yourself in the restaurant’s rustic interior or catch the last rays of sun on the easy-breezy terrace where you can indulge in one of Puro’s magnificent desserts. Try the port wine tiramisu, chocolate salami with pistachio nuts or the creamy ricotta cake with cinnamon and pumpkin jam.

    Location: Largo São Domingos 84, 4050-545 Porto, Portugal

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 12.30 pm to 3 pm and 7 pm to 10.30 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +351 22 201 1852

    Map
  • 6

    Época Café

    Hip vegetarian haunt

    Época Café
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food

    There’s a limited window of time when visiting Época Café, but don’t let that put you off. Open between midday and 3 pm, Monday to Friday, this minimalist joint excels with its upscale vegetarian fare including gluten-free and dairy-free options.

    Whether its brunch with the kids or a late lunch with your partner, Época pleases with dishes like green tahini, leek and Manchego cheese quiche and toasted brioche with oxheart tomatoes. Finish your meal with a slice of almond and matcha cake, chocolate pot de crème or cherries and mascarpone sprinkled with java pepper.

    Location: Rua do Rosário 22, 4050-522 Porto, Portugal

    Open: Monday–Friday from midday to 3 pm (Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)

    Phone: +351 96 211 2495

    Map
  • 7

    Almeja

    Rustic-chic eatery specialising in casual fine-dining

    Almeja
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    The brainchild of married couple João and Sofia, Almeja is a relaxed upscale bistro in Porto’s centrally-located Bolhão neighbourhood. Featuring a stone interior, pretty terrace garden, and contemporary à la carte menu, it’s the place to come for a romantic date night or a long and boozy lunch.

    The food is deliciously comforting while being experimentally innovative. Try the pig’s head terrine toast, pigeon with almond and the truffle cheesecake with Aguardente Velha (aged Portuguese brandy). The restaurant also offers a number of preset tasting menus including the aptly titled ‘10 Moments’ which applies technical dexterity to seasonal produce.

    Location: Rua de Fernandes Tomás 819, 4000-219 Porto, Portugal

    Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm and 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

    Phone: +351 22 203 8120

    Map
  • 8

    Tasquinha Zé Povinho

    Tiny tasco with a big heart

    Tasquinha Zé Povinho
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Families

    Don’t be fooled by Tasquinha Zé Povinho’s underwhelming yellow frontage and peasant-style interior. This pocket-sized tasco is a Porto institution and an eatery for the everyman, serving humble dishes that pay homage to deeply-rooted family traditions and simple farm-fresh ingredients.

    Far from the city’s touristic crowds, Tasquinha Zé Povinho is located on the ground floor of owner Andrea Salomé’s house and features a menu of recipes that originated in small Portuguese villages. Enjoy hearty dishes like caldo verde (potato and kale soup), massa à lavrador (meal stew made with pasta, red beans, and cured meat) and tripas à moda do Porto (offal prepared with beans, sausage, and vegetables).

    Location: R. de Clemente Meneres nº36, 4050-201 Porto, Portugal

    Open: Tuesday–Friday from 9 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

    Phone: +351 22 093 9355

    Map
  • 9

    Taberna Dos Mercadores

    Tried and true tradition

    Taberna Dos Mercadores
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Families

    Taberna Dos Mercadores is an authentic Portuguese restaurant that’s visually distinct thanks to its curved ceiling that doubles as a wine rack. Seating up to 20 people only, this culinary microcosm is a favourite with the city’s foodies who come here for its rich and rustic cuisine and warm and cosy atmosphere.

    Enjoy açorda de marisco (a tasty stew made of day-old bread and seafood), arouquesa meat casserole and cozido stewed lamb chops with potatoes and collard greens. To finish, treat yourself to a helping of apple meringue pie prepared with sweetened condensed milk and dusted with cinnamon.

    Location: R. dos Mercadores 36, Porto, Portugal

    Open: Tuesday–Sunday from midday to 3 pm and 7 pm to 11 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +351 22 201 0510

    Map
  • 10

    Casa Expresso

    A down-home delight

    Casa Expresso
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Families

    Casa Expresso might be unassuming inside, but this culinary cornerstone has to be experienced if you’re looking for genuine 'tasco’ cuisine. This ‘cheap eats’ haunt is beloved by locals for its unpretentious dishes. It’s also great place to come after visiting Museu da Cidade Porto, which is located across the street.

    Order a plate of traditional rojões (finger-licking pieces of pork) followed by a bowl of papas de sarrabulho, a bloody soup made with leftover rojões and bread and infused with vinegar and cumin. Seafood lovers will enjoy the golden fried fish served with salad and rice. Finish with the chocolate mousse and a freshly-brewed coffee.

    Location: Praça de Carlos Alberto 73, 4050-158 Porto, Portugal

    Open: Tuesday–Friday from 8.30 am to 10.30 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 10.30 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)

    Phone: +351 96 605 7185

    Map