Café D. Gina - Arroz de Polvo
©Marco DuarteArroz de Polvo do Café D. Gina

The 25 best restaurants in Porto

From classic Portuguese fare to Mexican, Indian and Italian, here are the best restaurants in Porto right now

Rafael Tonon
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When you think of food in Porto, you might be picturing shelves upon shelves of brightly-coloured tinned fishies. And to be fair, there’s a lot of tinned fish here. But Porto specialises in so much more in the world of food. Sumptuous octopus and rice. Baked salt cold. Cozido à Portuguesa (a meaty stew). And of course, the ever-intimidating francesinha, which is basically a seriously meaty Portuguese version of a croque monsieur. 

There is so much great food here, in fact, it can feel virtually impossible to know where to begin. And that’s where we come in. The editorial team at Time Out Porto have been sending their restaurant critics all over the city for years, to find out the absolute best of the best in Porto cuisine. On our list, we've included mostly good, proper traditional spots for Portuguese grub, but we’ve made sure to include where to find the best Mexican, Indian, Italian and more. Whatever you fancy, here are the best restaurants in Porto right now. 

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This guide was written by the editorial team at Time Out Porto. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

The best Porto restaurants

1. A Cozinha do Manel

Passed down through one family since 1985, A Cozinha do Manel has managed to stand the test of time. The kitchen is still run by the same experienced and skillful cooks who, for years, have been preparing various types of codfish and Porto-style tripe with the same dedication and care. Solo eaters and small groups should take advantage of the charming tiled counter with a wooden top where you can watch the chefs at work. For family lunches and dinners (which are very common here), there are comfy tables on the upper floor. If you’re after the lamb or veal (roasted in the wood-fired oven from the early hours of the morning) it’s best to book ahead.

  • Portuguese
  • Ribeira
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

We don’t hold back about the stuff we love, and when it comes to Adega São Nicolau, we love everything. There’s a menu full of great dishes – chicken bordelaise, tongue stew, octopus fillets with rice, or the perfect appetiser, cod cakes. Then there’s the desserts (all homemade) or the outdoors tables, overlooking the Douro river. Then there’s the great service – António Coelho has been doing this since he was 11 (in a legally okay way, we’re sure). Note: The restaurant is small, the queues are (very) long. Make a reservation or be prepared to wait.

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3. Apego

With a mother from Minho and a French father, Aurora Goy grew up between France and northern Portugal, which greatly influenced her creative cuisine. On Rua de Santa Catarina (but away from the tourist hustle), you’ll find Apego, where stone walls, soft lighting, and cosy sofas welcome guests as if they were at home. The menu is seasonal but always features comforting dishes and sometimes unexpected flavour combinations – head chef Goy skilfully blends fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Although the restaurant offers à la carte dishes, the best choice is the Desapego tasting menu (couvert, two starters, two mains, and desserts), which allows you to truly experience Goy’s talent.

  • Steakhouse
  • Baixa
  • price 3 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Porto is a historically cosmopolitan city, and it’s no surprise that it eagerly embraces concepts from other countries. In this Argentinian establishment run by Chef Maurício Ghiglione, the highlight is the parrilla (grill) with high-quality cuts of steak like ojo de bifelomo and bife de chorizo (nothing to do with sausage, by the way). But there are also other dishes with a Latin American twist, like mbeju (a type of pancake made from cassava), braised ossobuco with creamy polenta, or the unmissable flan de dulce de leche with whipped cream.

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5. Brusco

Thin burgers, known as smash burgers, have become a global trend, reviving a recipe that dates back to the first American fast-food chains. Over time, however, they have evolved – especially in the quality of the ingredients – and have thankfully made their way to our tables in Porto. At Brusco, the tradition remains: the menu is concise, with classic ingredients and well-applied technique. There’s a certain magic in how they smash the meat patties so they’re tender and crispy. The bread is good, the pickles are homemade, and the fries are fresh and crunchy. Finish with an ice cream with caramel sauce if you’ve got room.

🍔 Find Brusco at the all-new Time Out Market Porto

6. Café d. Gina

Bolhão Market has always had a special charm for the people of Porto. Since the market’s reopening in 2023 after a long restoration, you’ll now find restaurants on the upper floors as well as the street food below. After more than a decade next to the market, Dona Gina has found a new home on the third floor, where the galleries lead to the restaurants. While the décor might seem different from the old space – with more tables and a more airy dining room – the menu remains true to its purpose: serving traditional recipes that taste like home. Among the specialities at Café d. Gina, you’ll find mackerel with tomato rice, marmota with oxtail, Braga-style cod, veal chop, and other dishes from the warm kitchen run by Virgínia Silva – or Dona Gina, as regulars call her.

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  • Leça da Palmeira
  • price 4 of 4

Entering a house overlooking Leça da Palmeira beach, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Álvaro Siza, is reason enough to book a table at Casa de Chá da Boa Nova. But there are also the two Michelin stars from acclaimed chef Rui Paula (now also at the Time Out Market Porto under his own name), who creates an inspiring ode to Portuguese seafood cuisine, well represented by the local shellfish and fish on the tasting menu that changes with the seasons. From seafood tacos to John Dory with razor clams and quinoa, everything seems to taste better with the sea breeze coming through the large windows designed by Siza.

8. Casa dos Presuntos ‘Xico’

The crowd at the door in the late afternoons is a clear sign that what’s happening inside is worth checking out. On Rua do Heroísmo, right across from the police station, Xico is a local tavern (or ‘tasco,’ as locals affectionately call it) where you can nibble and drink, preferably standing at the counter. Dozens of ham legs hanging from the ceiling are the source of the stuffed sandwiches that have made this place famous. But the menu goes beyond that: sheeps cheese, salpicão, and other sausages, along with daily homemade snacks like pataniscas, sarrabulho porridge, and gizzards. To ensure you get a taste of everything, it’s best to arrive early.

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9. Casa Expresso

Across from Praça de Carlos Alberto, Casa Expresso is a standout from an old Porto that has been transformed by tourism and gastronomic gentrification. Its charm lies not only in its traditional tavern atmosphere, with beer and snacks served at the stainless-steel counter, but in its menu, which insists on serving classics like liver with onions, marinated fried cod and pork sandwiches. For more substantial appetites, try the small dishes that change daily, like alheiras with eggs or tender gizzards. To finish, the chocolate mousse is a city classic. 

  • Santa Catarina
  • price 1 of 4

Much is said about francesinhas, but there’s another dish that rivals the ‘knife-and-fork sandwich’ in the hearts of Porto's residents: the cachorrinho. Imagine the following: a thin toasted bun with a filling of sausage and melted cheese, sprinkled with butter and a spicy sauce and then cut up into little pieces. That’s what you’ll find when you sit at the counter at the Cervejaria Gazela in the Batalha neighbourhood. Gazela has been around for over 50 years, and its become an absolute classic; you’ll find other branches across the city. 

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