The Ultimate Restaurant List for Porto, Portugal

Last updated on November 21st, 2022 at 03:06 pm

Porto is a lovely city located along the Douro River in Portugal. It has been known by many names throughout the years. The Romans named it Portus Cale from which the country’s name (Portugal) was eventually derived from. Later, it was named Invicta (invincible) because it stood undefeated for over a year during the 19^th Century Portuguese civil war. Personally, I would like to add “foodie’s paradise” to the list. But, before deciding which restaurants to visit in Porto, one must first consider what makes the food in this beautiful city unique? In this post, I have created a list of foods you won’t want to miss in Porto as well as restaurant recommendations for you to explore and enjoy.

***Disclaimer: Be sure to check the restrictions and regulations for entry into Portugal as well as any activity you wish to participate in before booking any part of your journey.

1. Restaurant List for Francesinha in Porto

Francesinha at Dona Francesinha Restaurant in Porto

Passion Fruit Sangria at Dona Francesinha Restaurant in Porto

You can’t go to Porto and NOT try Francesinha. This is one of the city’s most local dishes. But, what exactly is it and how does one even pronounce that name?

A Brief History of Francesinha

The name Francesinha is pronounced “Fran-seh-zeen-ya” is Portuguese for “little Frenchwoman”. It was invented in the 1950s by Daniel David de Silva who was working in a Porto restaurant named A Regaleira. Like many Portuguese people, he had emigrated to France during the Portuguese dictatorship. While there, he was inspired by the famous French Croque-Monsieur sandwich. So, upon his return to Porto, he decided to alter the recipe and make it more “Portuguese-ish”.

There is as much variation in how to make this local sandwich as they are ways to prepare American chili or barbecue. Traditionally, Francesinha is composed of a variety of meats in between two pieces of toasted bread. It is served warm, covered with melted cheese, and a spicy sauce. Typically, it is only served with fries. But, most restaurants also serve a “special” version of the sandwich which comes topped with a fried egg.

Where to Eat Francesinha

There are many places to eat this well-known Porto dish. And, every local will recommend their own personal favorite. Here is a quick restaurant list for your reference.

1. Dona Fracesinha

We had ours at a Dona Francesinha and it was amazing. Plus, I absolutely adored their passion fruit sangria.

2. Belana

Belana is a restaurant in Porto that was recommended to us by one of our tour guides. He said it was one of the most traditional places to go in Porto. Unfortunately we got there too late (the restaurant closes at 8pm) and we weren’t able to get back there before the end of our trip. 🙁

3. Café Santiago

A really popular place that locals recommend to tourists is Café Santiago. It is located near the Praça dos Poveiros. If it’s very busy, don’t worry. You will find many restaurants in this area that are also serving Fracesinha.

4. A Regaleira

Of course, A Regaleira is the restaurant in Porto where Fracesinha was invented. You don’t get more legitimate than that!

2. Restaurant List for Pastel de Nata in Porto

Portuguese Pastries at Confeitaria do Bolhão in Porto

A Pastel de Nata a day will not keep the doctor (nor the pounds) away. But, it will be so creamy, satisfying, and delicious you won’t even care. If you haven’t heard of Nata, don’t worry. I had no idea what I was missing out on until I visited a Christmas Market with my Brazilian friend last year. She saw a woman who was selling Natas and immediately bought one for each of us. And, that is where my love for these delicious morsels began.

A Brief History of Pastel de Nata

Pastel de Nata was invented by Catholic monks at the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos in Lisbon. Traditionally, Portugese monks and nuns used egg whites to starch their clothing. But, that left them with a dilemma: what to do with the leftover egg yolks? Of course, they didn’t want them to go to waste. Thus, they developed a wide range of pastries and cakes designed to use up the yolks. The most famous of these is Pastel de Nata.

Sadly, the Liberal Revolution of 1820 resulted in the closure of monasteries and convents across Portugal. During this time, the monks of Mosteiro dos Jerónimos began selling Pastéis de Belém out of a sugar refinery in Lisbon in an attempt to generate revenue (Pastéis is the plural of Pastel). Eventually, the monastery closed and the secret recipe was sold to the sugar refinery.

In 1837 the Fábrica Pastéis de Belém was opened and the secret recipe was patented. But, that did not stop other people from attempting to recreate the creamy pastries and rename them Pastéis de Nata. You can find all kinds of variations of the recipe throughout Portugal and the world.

Where to Eat Pastel de Nata

1. Confeitaria do Bolhão

Hands down, the best place for Pastel de Nata (or any Portuguese pastry you would like to try) is Confeitaria do Bolhão. We each got our own box of assorted pastries to go, but you also have the option to dine in if you want. While they were all good, of course, our favorites were the Natas.

2. Nata Lisboa

One of our tour guides brought us to Nata Lisboa on R. das Flores. They were still warm from the oven and the pastry was so crispy and delicious. Nata Lisboa also has other locations throughout the city, so you can find the one nearest you.

3. Take a Pastel de Nata Baking Course!

And, if you’re like me and you have fallen hard for these incredible baked treats, you can learn how to make them for yourself! Check out my post 4 Incredible Experiences You Won’t Want to Miss in Porto to find out how to sign up for your own baking class!

3. Restaurant List for Seafood in Porto

Fried Fish at Restaurant Casa Viuva in Porto

Porto is close to the sea, so it makes sense that seafood would be a major part of the food culture here. But, it might surprise you to learn that the most popular seafood, cod fish, is not found anywhere near Portugal’s shores.

A Brief History of Bacalhau

Bachalhau (Book-ahl-ow), or cod fish, is not native to Portugal, but has long been considered the country’s “faithful friend”. It is so popular, it is said that there are over 1,000 ways to serve it! So how did the Portuguese become such big fans of this fish?

To find out, we must go back to the 14th century when large quantities of cod were discovered off the coast of Newfoundland. The Portuguese made a deal with the English and began catching their own cod and transporting it back to Portugal. To preserve it for the journey, they would gut the fish and stick the meat in barrels of coarse salt. For centuries, bachalhau was cheap and easy to store, making it a food accessible to all.

Unfortunately, by the 17th century, the English monopoly on cod fish caused the prices to rise. It wasn’t until Salazar came into power that it was once again made affordable to the lower classes. Nowadays, it is still a key ingredient in many favorite and traditional dishes. And, most Portuguese people enjoy it for special celebrations, Christmas, and Easter.

Where to Get Seafood in Porto

1. Restaurante Casa Viuva

Our favorite restaurant that we went to in Porto was Restaurante Casa Viuva. It was one of the cheapest, most traditional, and tastiest meals of our trip. I will be honest, though. It is a hole in the wall kind of a place, and so not the easiest to spot. It was also a bit of a challenge to find a table to sit at inside because it’s so popular. But, our effort and wait were well worth it! We got the menu of the day which included salad, soup, fish, and even dessert!

2. Encaixados

We also ate at Encaixados which is a popular, more upscale restaurant. We had the cod fish and the portion was incredibly generous (we had a hard time finishing it all), but somewhat lacking in flavor. I would recommend trying some of the other items on the menu. A lot of people really like the seafood tapas and the duck.

3. Merchant Taverna Porto

Sadly, we didn’t get a chance to eat at Merchant Taverna Porto. But, it was highly recommended to us by a local and it’s on my list for my next visit to Porto! If you decide to go here, be sure to call ahead (even up to a few weeks ahead) to make a reservation. If you aren’t able to make a reservation, it’s recommended that you join the line outside of the restaurant up to 30 minutes before it opens.

4. Eat at the World’s Most Beautiful McDonald’s in Porto

Stained Glass Inside Imperial McDonald's in Porto

It may seem like an oxymoron, but yes, there is such a thing as the “World’s Most Beautiful McDonald’s”. However, the mighty fast-food chain cannot take credit for creating the vivid stained glass windows within its walls nor the ornate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

Originally, the space was occupied by Cafe Imperial, a famous coffee shop which had been open since the 1930s. The art deco stained glass art on the walls was created by Ricardo Leone. It depicts the process of making coffee: starting with the picking of the coffee beans all the way to the couple enjoying their cups of Joe.

Even if you don’t eat here (we didn’t), it is worth it to walk in and marvel at the strange juxtaposition of the historical and modern combined.

5. Other Restaurants in Porto

There are plenty of other restaurants throughout Porto and they feature food styles from all around the world! Here are some suggestions from our trip.

1. Farinha

We loved the Neapolitan pizza at Farinha! It may not be traditional Portuguese food, but the pizza crust was light and airy, the flavors were on point, and the service was fantastic.

2. Casa Guedes

Casa Guedes is a bit pricier than some of the other restaurants on this list. But, it is good and they are well known for their small sandwiches (especially the roast pork sandwich). A nice thing to do here is order a few different sandwiches to enjoy the many different flavors. They currently have three different restaurant locations throughout Porto.

3. The Majestic Cafe

If you are a Harry Potter fan, you won’t want to miss out on a visit to the beautiful Majestic Cafe. Apparently, this is where JK Rowling wrote a good bit of “The Philosopher’s Stone” during her time in Porto. It has also been visited by many other special visitors throughout history (you can see the list on their website). Just know that it is rather pricey and not necessarily ranked as the best coffee in town.

4. Restaurante Capim Dourado

I really wanted to go to this Brazilian Restaurant, Restaurante Capim Dourado. Unfortunately, it was all booked up for the entire weekend! So, I’m guessing it must be good. It’s definitely on my list for when I return! My recommendation to you is to make your reservation well in advance.

5. Michelin Star Restaurants

If you’re looking for something really upscale, you can check out these recommendations from the Michelin Guide.

In Conclusion

I hope that this restaurant list gives you some great ideas for your trip to Porto, Portugal. And, I hope you enjoy the delicious and unique foods that this beautiful region has to offer.

Happy Travels,
<3 Christine