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25 Porto Food Favorites – What To Eat In Porto

Caldo Verde with Spoon at Cervejaria Brasao Coliseu in Porto
Image: ©2foodtrippers

Porto is a breathtakingly beautiful city that’s famous around the world for its Port Wine lodges. These storied cellars, located on the southern bank of the Douro River, are the only place in the world where legitimate Port wine can be aged. They also provide a golden opportunity for Port drinkers to taste a range of the spirit-fortified wine in a small, walkable environment.

However, many first time visitors don’t know what or where to eat when they visit Porto for the first time. Adding an extra challenge, tourist trap eateries often occupy the same touristic blocks as better restaurants.

Take a Porto food tour for a quick introduction to the food of Porto.

Bread at Taberna Dos Mercadores in Porto
Spoiler Alert – The food is great in Porto when you know what and where to eat. We ate this bread, paired with Portuguese olive oil, during our lunch at Taberna Dos Mercadores. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

During our initial Porto visit in 2007 we had no clue about how to eat in Portugal in general and Porto in particular. Now that we live and eat in Portugal on a full time basis, we’ve made a concerted effort to find the best restaurants in Porto and eat the city’s best food.

We now have a firm handle on the city’s food and restaurant offerings in one of Portugal’s top food cities.

Porto Food Guide | What To Eat In Porto

Arroz Cremoso de Camarao at DeCastro Gaia in Porto
Dishes like Arroz Cremoso de Camarao rarely disappoint in Porto due to the city’s access to super fresh seafood. We ate this version at DeCastro Gaia in Vila Nova de Gaia. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

When exploring Porto, many travelers want to drink Port Wine all day. Don’t do it! This hedonistic, reckless approach will put you into a semi-permanent state of malaise. Plus, you’d miss out on awesome sites like Livraria Lello and the Palácio da Bolsa. Drinking on an empty stomach is a serious rookie mistake that we strongly advise against.

With a little planning and a few advance reservations, it’s entirely possible to sample all the best food in Porto and drink plenty of Port Wine during a short visit. And, as it turns out, Porto has drinks to imbibe beyond Port Wine.

As you plan your culinary explanation of the food in Porto, we recommend starting with sandwiches – the most popular Porto street food.

Porto Sandwiches

Pernil com Queijo de Ovelha Sandwiches at Casa Guedes in Porto
Two sandwiches are better than one when that sandwich is aSande de Pernil at Casa Guedes. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Porto rivals American sandwich cities like Philadelphia and New Orleans as well as global sandwich cities like Paris and Florence. It’s entirely possible to limit your food choices to sandwiches in Porto. They’re that good.

The city’s most famous sandwich, the Francesinha, is utterly unique and decidedly decadent. However, this gut-busting icon isn’t the only Porto sandwich worth eating.

Read on to discover four sandwiches you cannot miss on any food trip to Porto:

1. Francesinha (Signature Porto Sandwich)

Francesinha from Above at Cafe Santiago in Porto
We used two knives and two forks when we demolished this Francesinha sandwich at Café Santiago. In other words, one plate was enough for us to share. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Francesinha isn’t just Porto’s most famous food. The unusual open faced sandwich, which requires utensils and a hefty appetite, is big enough to be a meal. And that’s not counting the pile of french fries that typically orbit this caloric monster.

Allegedly inspired by France’s Croque Monsieur, the Francesinha is filled with meaty ingredients like steak, ham, chourićo and sausage. But that’s only the beginning. Each of these bad boys is covered with melted cheese, smothered with tangy tomato beef gravy and topped it with a fried egg.

While you can find Francesinha sandwiches all over Portugal, there’s no argument that they’re just a little bit better in Porto. As to which is the best Francesinha is best, there’s only one way to find out – a Porto Francesinha crawl. If you go that route, we suggest you come hungry and start your journey at Café Santiago. We also recommend long walks between stops – about 2 to 3 kilometers each.

Where To Eat Classic Francesinha Sandwiches In Porto
Brasão Cervejaria, Café Santiago, Lado B Café and Restaurante Cufra

2. Pernil com Queijo (Pork Sandwich with Cheese)

Pernil com Queijo de Ovelha 4 at Casa Guedes in Porto
Melted Serra da Estrela cheese turns a Sande de Pernil (pork sandwich) into a Pernil com Queijo (pork sandwich with cheese). It also improves the classic Porto sandwich by a wide margin. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Pernil com Queijo sandwich wasn’t on our radar until we visited Porto. After one bite, we wondered where the sandwich had been all our lives.

Pernil com Queijo translates to ham with cheese but this sandwich is so much more than its simple name implies. Porto cooks stuff crispy rolls with slow-cooked pork leg slices and ooey-gooey, slightly funky Serra da Estrela cheese (see below) to make Pernil com Queijo sandwiches. The combination elevates the great sandwich to legendary status

Where To Eat the Best Sande De Pernil In Porto
Casa Guedes

3. Bifana (Pork Steak Sandwich)

Bifana at Conga in Porto
This Bifana at Conga was so juicy that we returned and ate another. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Portuguese people love to grab a Bifana or two on the go. This stewed pork sandwich is popular and prevalent all over Portugal.

Both simple and satisfying, Porto’s Bifanas are saucier and more flavorful than Bifanas in Lisbon and Cascais. Though condiments like Piri-Piri sauce and hot mustard are a necessity in the south, they merely complement the juicy sandwiches served in Porto.

Where To Eat the Best Bifana In Porto
Conga

4. Cachorrinho (Porto Hot Dog)

Cachorrinhos Gazela Cachorrinhos da Batalha in Porto
Our snack break at Gazela Cachorrinhos da Batalha turned us from Cachorrinho novices into Cachorrinho fans. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Cachorrinhos look like chopped hot dogs but taste even better. To make them, cooks stuff toasted oval Portuguese rolls with grilled sausage before adding melted cheese and spicy sauce and chopping the sandwiches into bite-sized pieces.

Discover more great hot dogs around the world.

Don’t think that this is a niche product that you may or may not easily find in Porto. WhileGazela Cachorrinhos da Batalha has been serving Cachorrinhos to a steady stream of customers since 1962, many Porto snack shops now serveCachorrinhos, often with fries and usually with cold beer.

Where To Eat The Best Cachorrinho In Porto
Gazela Cachorrinhos da Batalha

Porto Food Classics

Caldo Verde at Casa Guedes in Porto
Iconic Portuguese foods like Caldo Verde are popular in Porto restaurants. We slurped this classic bowl at Casa Guedes. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Traditional Portuguese food is both easy to find and fun to eat in Porto. Some of the best dishes have local roots while others hail from different cities.

Regardless of their origin, these are the classic Portuguese dishes you need to eat in Porto:

5. Tripas à Moda do Porto (Porto Tripe Dish)

Spoonful of Tripas a Moda do Porto at O Rapido in Porto
Tripe is the key ingredient inTripas à Moda do Porto, a classic Portuguese bean stew. We ate this version at O Rapido. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Tripas à Moda do Porto features tripe – a classic offal that usually garners a mixed response from food lovers. We get that many are turned off by the thought of eating stomach. However, adventurous eaters won’t want to miss this iconic tripe dish that dates back to the Middle Ages.

The dish was so associated with the northern city centuries ago that Porto residents became known as Triperios, a nickname still used today. Like many foods, the Tripas à Moda do Porto recipe has evolved over the centuries. In addition to beans, which were discovered by Portuguese explorers, typical ingredients include veal, pork, chicken, carrots, bay leaves, onion and garlic.

Be aware that most tascas prepare and serve Tripas à Moda do Porto on specific days of the week. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment if you’re only in Porto for a few days.

Where To Eat Tripas À Moda Do Porto In Porto
Abadia do Porto, A Cozinha do Manel and O Rapido

6. Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá (Porto Salt Cod Dish)

Bacalhau a Gomes de Sa at O Rapido in Porto
Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá is Porto’s answer to Bacalhau a Bras. Both dishes feature salt cod, potatoes, eggs olives, onions and potatoes. This rendition at O Rapido turned us into fans after just one bite. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

While Bacalhau a Bras is a staple at tascas throughout the Iberian nation, Porto’s casual restaurants serve a similar but different dish called Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá. While this dish may sound unfamiliar, it’s unique to Porto

A Porto local aptly named Gomes de Sá invented the salt cod casserole more than a century ago using ingredients including salted cod, eggs, olives, onions and ptoatoes. If you think that these ingredients are similar to the ones used to create Bacalhau a Bras, you are correct. If you think that it’s worth givingBacalhau à Gomes a try, you’re also correct.

Where To Eat Bacalhau À Gomes De Sá In Porto
Abadia do Porto, Adega São Nicolau and O Rapido

7. Caldo Verde (Kale Soup)

Caldo Verde at Cervejaria Brasao Coliseu in Porto
We slurped this creamy bowl of Caldo Verde at Cervejaria Brasao Coliseu before sharing a loaded Francesinha. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Caldo Verde translates to green broth but don’t let the literal translation turn you off. Although this soup was invented in Minho, it’s readily available throughout the country. The comforting, poor man’s soup ‘stretches’ ingredients like potatoes, kale and olive oil to make a nourishing meal.

Discover more of the best soups in the world.

Most bowls of Caldo Verde include a slice or two of chouriço which provide a hint of smokey flavor and a bit of protein. While we covet these slices whenever we slurp the soup at home or in Porto restaurants, vegetarians and vegans can skip adding the meaty morsels to their bowls.

Where To Eat Caldo Verde In Porto
Casa Guedes, Casa Ferreira, Cervejaria Brasao Coliseu and Taxca

8. Papas de Sarrabulho (Meat Porridge)

Papas de Sarrabulho at Casa Guedes in Porto
Papas de Sarrabulho looks like chocolate mousse but its flavor profile is neither sweet nor chocolatey. Trying this bowl at Casa Guedes proved to be a low risk high reward proposition. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Papas de Sarrabulho hails from Minho, just 60 kilometers (approximately 37 miles) north of Porto. The savory porridge’s ingredients include beef, chicken, chorizo, pig’s blood and sausage. Lemon and cumin enhance the dish’s meaty flavor while flour binds it all together.

If you’re intrigued and want to eat like a meat-loving Portuguese peasant, you’ll need to travel to Porto during the winter. Not only is this dish hard to find in cities like Lisbon at any time of the year, but it’s traditionally served in colder months when local pigs are slaughtered.

Where To Eat Papas De Sarrabulho In Porto
Casa Guedes and Conga

9. Açorda

Acorda at Taberna Dos Mercadores in Porto
Filling its Açorda with clams, mussels, pawns and razor clams, Taberna Dos Mercadores takes the classic dish to new heights. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Some of the best foods in the world are rooted in poverty. Made with day-old bread and pantry staples, Portugal’s Açorda is one of these dishes.

In its simplest form, Açorda, with roots that trace back to the Muslims, is a soup made with slightly stale bread, olive oil, garlic, vinegar, eggs and herbs. Porto chefs take the dish further by adding seafood to create a dish called Açorda de Marisco. If you see this dish on a Porto menu, order it

Where To Eat The Best Açorda In Porto
Taberna Dos Mercadores

10.Alheira de Mirandela

Alheira at Taberna Dos Mercadores in Porto
Alheira de Mirandela is a Portuguese dish with a past. It’s also a tasty treat served at tascas in Porto as well as at restaurants like Taberna Dos Mercadores where we ate this version. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

People who don’t eat pork are in for a treat in Portugal – Alheira de Mirandela. Invented in Trás-os-Montes, about 200 kilometers or 125 miles northwest of Porto, this sausage ‘farce’ has a juicy story…

During the Inquisition, Portuguese Jews were forced to convert to Catholicism to avoid persecution. They ate Alheira de Mirandela during that dark time to demonstrate their conversion to the Christian faith. However, while it looked like sausage, Alheira de Mirandela was actually stuffed with beef, poultry or game meat in accordance to kosher dietary laws.

Centuries later, Alheira de Mirandela, with a texture reminiscent of Eastern European Kishka, is now more prevalent in cities like Porto than the few Jewish people who remained in the country after the Inquisition. Tascas and other casual restaurants typically top Alheira de Mirandela with a fried egg and serve the dish with rice and potatoes.

Where To Eat Alheira In Porto
Any and Every Tasca

11. Queijo da Serra da Estrela (Cheese)

Queijaria Serra da Estrela at Queijaria Do Almada in Porto
Serra da Estrella, Portugal’s most lauded cheese, pairs well with Portuguese wine. We found these wheels at Queijaria Do Almada in Porto. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Portugal produces a significant amount of cheeses, with more than a dozen achieving Designation of Origin (PDO) status. The best Portuguese cheeses are small, cylindrical torta cheeses best eaten with a spoon.

Removing the top of a queijo reveals a spreadable silky, aromatic paste. These Portuguese cheeses provide a unique tangy bite since coagulation of the milk is traditionally achieved using thistle rennet.

When we’re at home, we eat Queijo de Azeitão, a spreadable sheep milk cheese that’s produced in the Setubal district near Lisbon. However, we eat equally spreadable Serra da Estrela when we’re in northern cities like Porto. Produced in a mountainous region northeast of Coimbra, Serra da Estrela is the country’s most lauded cheese.

Where To Buy Queijo Da Serra Da Estrela In Porto
Queijaria Do Almada and Local Porto Markets

Seafood Dishes

Sardines at Sai Cao in Porto
Eating sardines is a must during any visit to Porto. We accomplished this task at Sai Cao. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Seafood eaters won’t be disappointed in Porto. Many of the city’s restaurants feature an array of seafood dishes. This is no surprise since it’s a short drive from Porto to Montesinho, one of Portugal’s great seafood hubs.

Whether you eat seafood locally in Porto or hop on a bus or Uber and head to Montesinho, these are the seafood dishes that you won’t want to miss during your visit:

12. Arroz de Marisco (Seafood Rice)

Arroz de Marisco at O Gaveto in Porto
Often served in a clay pot, Arroz de Marisco combines fresh seafood and rice in a rich broth. We ate this classic rendition at O Galeto in Montesinho. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Porto’s access to Montesinho’s shellfish bounty goes hand in hand with the popularity of Arroz de Marisco. This must-eat dish combines shellfish favorites like clams, crabs, lobster, mussels and shrimp with short grain rice and flavorful broth.

Arroz de Marisco is conidered to be one of Portuguese gastronomy’s seven wonders along with Alheiras de Mirandela, Caldo Verde, Leitão da Bairrada, Sardinha Assada, Serra da Estrela and the iconic Pastel de Belém. If you’re going to try the seafood rice dish anywhere, you might as well eat Arroz de Marisco in Porto or nearby Montesinho.

Where Ro Eat Arroz De Marisco In The Porto Area
Seafood Restaurants like O Gaveto and Aquário Marisqueira de Espinho

13. Gambas a l’Ajilo (Garlic Prawns)

Gambas ao Alho at O Gaveto in Porto
We’ve eaten Gambas a l’Ajilo in both Porto and Montesinho. This version at O Galeto was a knockout. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Gambas a l’Ajilo is one of our favorite dishes to eat in Portugal. A mix of prawns, butter or olive oil, herbs and chilis, these Portuguese garlic prawns are all about simplicity.

Although shrimp is available at most Portuguese markets, we typically eat Gambas a l’Ajilo at marisqueiras (seafood restaurants) in cities like Lisbon and Porto. We also make the garlic prawn dish at home. We’ve even developed a Gambas a l’Ajilo recipe that’s both easy to execute and divine to eat.

Where To Eat Excellent Gambas A l’Alho In Porto And Montesinho
O Gaveto and Taberna Dos Mercadores

14. Sardinhas (Sardines)

Sardine Plate at O Rapido in Porto
Many Porto restaurants serve Sardinhas during the summer. We ate this plate of fried sardines at O Rapido near the city’s train station. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Cod isn’t the only popular finned fish in Portugal. Sardines take center stage on outdoor grills in warm summer months when they hit the plate in a dish called Sardinhas Assadas. During the fall, they’re floured and fried in Porto tascas..

Locals sometimes eat the entire sardine including the head. They also pair them with fried potatoes and rice.

Where To Eat Sardinhas Assadas In Porto And Montesinho
Tascas like O Rapido and Seafood Restaurants like Restaurante Rei Da Sardinha Assada

Petiscos

Dinner at DeCastro Gaia in Porto
We ate this array of petiscos at DeCastro Gaia in Porto. Our snack course included Peixinhos da Horta, Pica-Pau and Pimentos Padrón. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

If you enjoy eating tapas in Spain, then you’ll love sampling petiscos in Portugal. Despite having different names, the snack food concept is fairly similar in both Iberian countries. However, the dishes aren’t the same.

While Spanish tapas features items like Bombas and Bocadillos, Portuguese tascas and petisqueiras serve heartier dishes like Chouriço Assado and Pica-Pau as well as more ‘snacky’ options like Peixinhos da Horta. When we’re in the mood for a lite bite or meal starter in Porto, these are our favorites:

15. Bolinhos do Bacalhau (Codfish Fritters)

Bolinhos de Bacalhau at O Rapido in Porto
We devoured these Bolinhos de Bacalhau at O Rapido before diving into the tasca‘s bigger plates. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

More than a snack and less than a meal, Bolinho de Bacalhau are fried cakes made with cod and potatoes instead of sugar and flour. In then south, these same cod fritters are called Pastéis de Bacalhau.

Regardless of the name, a Bolinho de Bacalhau is a delight to eat hot out of the fryer. One bite into the crispy fritter reveals a creamy mixture made with bacalhau and potatoes as well as eggs and parsley. Three bites later, it will be nothing more than a happy memory.

One Pastel de Bacalhau is rarely enough and three are too many. In other words, plan to start your meal with two Pastéis de Bacalhau.

Where To Eat Bolinhos Do Bacalhau In Porto
Any and Every Tasca and Petisqueira

16.Rissóis

Rissois at Oficina dos Rissois in Porto
Filled with choriço and baked in a convection oven, this half-moon shaped Rissóis at Oficina dos Rissóis was the best Rissol we’ve ever eaten. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

For the uninitiated, the Rissol is a classic Portuguese petisco that usually involves deep frying a patties made with meat, fish and cheese inside a pastry shell. While Rissóis are available at Petisqueira all over Portugal, they’re best eaten in Porto thanks to the owners of Oficina dos Rissóis.

Originally from France, Alexandra Chasans and Louis Druesne source many of their ingredients from local farms and slow cook their veal Burgundian-style for nine hours. Then, instead of frying their Rissóis, the duo bakes them in a convection oven.

Where To Eat The Best Rissóis In Porto
Oficina dos Rissóis

17. Peixinhos da Horta (Fried Green Beans)

Peixinhos da Horta at DeCastro Gaia in Porto
The Peixinhos da Horta at DeCastro Gaia are both classic and addictive. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Food travelers will be fascinated by Portugal’s tasty Peixinhos da Horta. These breaded and fried green beans don’t just look like tempura. They’re actually the inspiration for the Japanese food favorite!

History reveals that the Portuguese have been frying breaded green beans for centuries. Portuguese missionaries introduced the dish to Japan in the 16th century.

Despite a name that literally translates to little fish from the garden, Peixinhos da Horta is a vegetarian dish. The fish connotation refers to the dish’s shape and not its ingredients.

Where To Eat Peixinhos Da Horta In Porto
Traditional Restaurants, Tascas and Petisqueira

Porto Pastries

Pasteis de Nata at Natas Douro in Porto

Finding pastries in Porto is the opposite of a challenge thanks to the Portuguese people’s infatuation with white sugar and egg yolks. Most neighborhoods have multiple pastelerias, sometimes more than one on a single block, with many serving Portugal’s most iconic pastry – the Pastel de Nata. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Discover the best Portuguese pastries.

While the temptation to eat a Pastel de Nata or two every morning is hard to resist, Porto’s bakeries serve a plethora of other pastries. We recommend starting with the following sweet treats:

18. Éclair

Chocolate Eclair at Leitaria da Quinta do Paco in Porto
Though it wasn’t as pretty as the Éclairs we’ve eaten at Parisian patisseries, this Éclair at Leitaria da Quinta do Paço more than satisfied our sweet tooth cravings. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Yes, it’s true. Our favorite Porto pastry isn’t a Pastel de Nata. Perhaps it’s because we live in Lisbon, the home of the Portugal’s popular egg tart. Or maybe we love Porto’s Éclairs just a little bit more. Either way, we can’t get enough Éclairs whenever we visit Porto.

A local favorite for a century, Leitaria da Quinta do Paço has been filling Éclairs with fresh Chantilly cream and topping them with milk chocolate since the 1920s. They also offer flavors like zippy lemon and crunchy, chocolatey, decadent croquant.

Where To Eat The Best Éclairs In Porto
Leitaria do Quinta do Paćo

19. Pastel de Nata

Pastel de Nata Duo at Natas Douro in Porto
Shaped like the rabelo boats that sail on the Douro and offered in various flavors including chocolate, port, lemon and orange, the Pastel de Nata pastries we ate at at Nata d’Ouro were decidedly different from the ones we typically eat in Lisbon. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Although monks in Belèm get credit for the inventing Portugal’s world-famous egg tart, some bakers in Porto have tweaked the original Pastel de Nata recipe to make it a Porto pastry. These bakers don’t just serve the tart with Port Wine, they also add fortified elixir into the batter.

Porto has plenty of Lisbon Pastel de Nata shops including Manteigaria, Fábrica da Nata and Natas Lisboa. However, the smart move is to skip them all and eat egg tarts at Natas d’Ouro, a shop that’s based in Northern Portugal, instead.

You may wonder about the differences between Lisbon natas and the natas at Natas d’Ouro. For starters, they come in fun flavors. During our morning visit, we went all out by ordering two natas – one chocolate and one port – and paired them with little glasses of Port Wine. The combination was golden.

Where To Eat The Best Pasteis De Nata In Porto
Natas d’Ouro

20. Bola de Berlim

Bola de Berlim 2 at Padaria Ribeiro in Porto
Do not miss the donuts called Bola de Berlim when you visit Porto. We ate this cream-filled beauty at Padaria Ribeiro. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Traveling donut fans can satisfy their donut cravings in Porto by eating a Bola de Berlim. However, this Portuguese pastry isn’t actually related to American donuts. Instead, immigrants brought the concept to Portugal from Germany almost a century ago.

Porto’s Bola de Berlim is bigger and sweeter than a jam-filled Berliner in Berlin. Although doce de ovos, a sweet cream made with egg yolks and sugar, is the typical filling, we prefer chocolate inside our fried bundles of joy. The only way to discover which is your favorite filling is to try both.

Where To Eat Bola De Berlim In Porto
Confeitaria do Bolhao and Padaria Ribeiro

21. Croissant

Croissant at Padaria Ribeiro in Porto
This Croissant at Padaria Ribeiro didn’t win any beauty contests but it won our admiration before we ate it. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

As is the case with most Portuguese pastries, Portuguese Croissants are sweeter, heavier and doughier than their European brethren. Even plain ones get a sprinkling of powdered sugar for good measure.

Hard core sweet eaters won’t want to skip eating Croissants in Porto at spots like Padaria Ribeiro. Just leave your impressions of French pastries behind. Porto’s version is its own unique thing.

Where To Eat A Croissant In Porto
Padaria Ribeiro

Porto Drinks

Port at Tapabento in Porto
These glasses of Port Wine provided a sweet ending to our dinner at Tapabento. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We mentioned that Porto is famous for its Port Wine lodges and we weren’t kidding. Oenophiles travel from all corners of the earth to taste ruby, white and tawny Port Wine at the source.

While drinking Port Wine in Porto is an absolute must, it’s not the only drink in town. Consider the following beverages when you’re feeling thirsty in Porto:

22. Port Wine

Daryl Views Port at Kopke Wine House in Porto
Our Port Wine tasting at Casa Kopke in Porto was a full sensory experience that started with our eyes and ended with our taste buds. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Porto’s history with Port Wine is long and deep.

Port Wine lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia have been aging the fortified wine product in barrels since the 18th century. Many of these lodges also offer individual tastings and and group tours for curious wine enthusiasts who travel to Porto today.

Plan to end your Porto evenings with small glasses of Port while you’re in Porto. Better yet, visit one or more Port house and taste ruby, tawny, white and vintage Port. Once you find your favorite, you’ll want to buy a bottle or two to take home as drinkable souvenirs. Be sure to to buy an extra bottle so that you can craft Porto Tonico cocktails at home.

Where To Drink Port Wine In Porto
Port Wine Lodges like Casa Kopke and Graham’s Lodge and Bars like Espaço Porto Cruz

23. Wine

Wine at O Gaveto in Porto
Daryl combined two Porto ‘musts’ when he drank this glass of local white wine next to a stunning Azulejo wall. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Not surprisingly, many of the same grapes used to produce Port Wine in the Douro Valley also create wonderful wines. While Douro’s wines are available around the world, Porto has an auspicious selection of both red and white wine from the nearby region.

And the best part? Drinking locally produced, world class wine in Porto is a great bargain. Accordingly, buying a few extra bottles to take home is a no-brainer.

Where To Drink Wine In Porto
Any and Every Bar, Tasca and Restaurant

24. Craft Beer

Craft Beer at Catraio in Porto
We bellied up to the bar at Catraio to drink Remistura, a collaboration beer produced by Lisbon’s Musa brewery and the Cockburn port house. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Drinking beer in Porto is no passing fad considering that locals have been downing imperials filled with Super Bock lager for decades. Today, however, beer drinkers can also enjoy a range of locally brewed craft beer in the northern Portuguese city.

Brewers including A Fábrica da Picaria, Colossus Craft Brewery, Fábrica Nortada and Sovina are now crafting quality beers in Porto. While motivated beer geeks can schedule brewery tastings at one or more of these breweries, the rest of us can imbibe pints at local brew pubs.

Where To Drink Craft Beer In Porto
Catraia Craft Beer Shop and Letraria Craft Beer Garden

25. Specialty Coffee

Ice Coffees at 7g Roaster in Porto
We started our Porto day with these single-origin iced coffees at 7G Roasters. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

While some people are satisfied to start their days with commodity Portuguese coffee, we’re not those people. Luckily, since Porto has joined coffee’s third wave, finding specialty coffee in Porto is easy to do.

Locals have flocked to Majestic Café since 1921; however, modern coffee drinkers will prefer Porto’s vibrant coffee culture that rivals the Lisbon coffee scene. This culture includes more than a half dozen cafes on both sides of the Douro River, each serving flat whites, cappuccinos and pour overs with a free side of internet.

Where To Drink Specialty Coffee In Porto
7G Roaster and Other Cafes Featured in Our Porto Coffee Guide

Useful Porto Facts

Blue Tiles in Porto
Porto is a gorgeous city. Take time to experience it beyond the food. | Image: ©2foodtrippers
  • Porto is the second largest city in Portugal.
  • Portugal is in Europe. It’s both a member of the European Union and a Schengen country.
  • Portugal’s currency is the Euro.
  • Portuguese is Portugal’s official language but many people also speak English.
  • Service is typically included but you can leave a ‘little something extra’ (5-10%) for excellent service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What food is Porto famous for?

Love it or hate it, the Francesinha, Porto’s signature sandwich, is the city’s most famous food.

Is food in Porto expensive?

Food in Porto ranges from cheap eats to fine dining. In other words, you can easily eat for well under 50€ a day or blow it out and spend much more.

Is tipping necessary in Porto?

No. Tipping is optional in Portugal.

Where did Anthony Bourdain eat in Porto?

Anthony Bourdain visited A Cozinha do Martinho, Cervejaria Gazela, Esplanada Marisqueira Antiga, Mercado do Bolhão, O Afonso and Real Companhia Velha while filming his 2017 episode of Parts Unknown.

What time do people eat dinner in Porto?

People typically eat dinner between 7pm and 10pm in Porto.

Are restaurant reservations necessary in Porto?

Reservations are necessary for Porto’s better restaurants. However, you should be able to walk into sandwich shops though there may be a queue.

How far is Porto from Lisbon?

Porto and Lisbon are 313 kilometers / 195 miles apart. Transportation options between the two cities include trains, buses and driving. In other words, depending on your time, it’s entirely possible to include both Lisbon and Porto on one food trip.

Video Recap

Porto Planning Checklist

Check out our guide to eating in Portugal as well as our picks for the best Portuguese foods and the best Portuguese desserts before your trip.

Hungry For More In Porto?

Flat White at Manna Porto
Coffee Shops
Porto Restaurants - Social IMG
Restaurants
Ze dos Cornos in Lisbon - Social IMG
Portuguese Food Favorites
About The Authors

About The Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

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Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We self-funded our multiple trips to Porto.

Disclosure

We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Original Publication Date: October 17, 2021

Clay Swenson

Tuesday 28th of November 2023

We travelled to Porto as a last stop of a 2 week adventure of Spain and Portugal (mostly Lisbon). We were only in Porto for about 24 hours and did take a food tour which was very good. We tasted many food dishes, wines and had a great Port wine tasting at the end. We loved most of the food, especially Caldo Verde, which we tasted at 2 places. Last day (Sunday) we planned to be at Taberna Dos Mercadores when they opened at 1230. Apparently at 35 others folks had read your blog recommendations and were already in line. We did not have time to wait since we had to catch a train to Lisbon in 2 hours. We did find a very nice place down the street. Thanks, Clay and Kay Swenson

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Wednesday 29th of November 2023

We're so glad that you enjoyed your time in Porto. If you return, be sure to make advance reservationss. It's the best way to avoid dining disappointment.

michelle

Sunday 11th of June 2023

Great info but tell me where?

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Friday 16th of June 2023

It's all there in the article with links. We also published a restaurant guide.

Felipe Norton

Friday 16th of September 2022

Tiny mistake, the bifana place is called conga like the dance not Congo like the country. Awesome article guys I'm really enjoying following on your footsteps in Porto.. Thanks for all the insights.. If I find any other mistakes I'll let you know.

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Friday 16th of September 2022

Thanks for catching the typo and enjoy the rest of your time in Porto. It's such a wonderful city!

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Sunday 1st of May 2022

We DO proofread but, since we're a staff of two, mistakes can and do happen. (This must have been made inadvertently during a recent update.)

Miguel Sousa

Monday 6th of December 2021

What a fantastic and tasty job you're done. To know the portuguese cuisine it usually takes a lifetime.

I think you eat well in all regions of Portugal. All little cities have at least one or two fabulous restaurants. You must go to interior of Portugal and to the historical villages to have a deep sense and know the roots of our cuisine and history. Here some places i strongly recommend you to visit. Caminha, Viana do Castelo, Ponte de Lima, Douro Valley, Bragança, Marialva, Monsanto, Linhares, Tomar, Batalha, Alcobaça, Constancia, Obidos, Nazaré, Ericeira, Sesimbra, Elvas.

I recommend you to taste Leitão in Mealhada, in one of the top restaurants that serve that delicacy.

Thanks again for your fantastic work

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Sunday 30th of January 2022

Thanks!! Obviously, we have lots to explore here.

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