The local take
The city runs on tascas and family-run dining rooms serving northern Portuguese home cooking: salt cod, octopus, rabbit, roast pork sandwiches and the francesinha, Porto's hefty sandwich of layered meats under melted cheese and a rich sauce. Petiscos, the local take on small plates, are made for sharing over a glass of regional wine. Mornings belong to old cafés and bakeries with custard tarts, croissants and convent sweets, while traditional grocers sell port, tinned fish and cheese to take home.
Many of these picks cluster around Bolhão and down by the river in Ribeira, and there is fine dining for the special nights. Each place carries a note from the licensed local guide who chose it, so use the chips to zero in on tascas, petiscos, cafés or food markets.
CasualBorboleta
You’ll find Borboleta just in front of the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal.
Porto, MassarelosRecommended by Magda M.
PetiscosCasualBig Group FriendlyÀ Bolina
À Bolina is a cozy restaurant on the Douro River with excellent views of the Dom Luís I Bridge.
Porto, RibeiraRecommended by André P.
Food MarketsA Favorita do Bolhão
Rare wines, top-grade olive oil, Porto’s iconic vintage port, dried fruit, cheese, chocolate truffles, candies, preserves, salt cod, and more…A Favorita do Bolhão is a Portuguese…
Porto, BolhãoRecommended by Ana C.
CasualA Grade
A Grade is a casual restaurant tucked in an alley near the Ribeira.
Porto, RibeiraRecommended by Magda M.
CasualAlibi By YoursPorto
Alibi By YoursPorto is an excellent wine bar just a stone’s throw from the Clérigos Tower.
Porto, RibeiraRecommended by Magda M.
CasualAntunes
Antunes is a casual restaurant in Trindade cooking the kind of traditional food you would expect from a northern Portuguese grandmother.
Porto, TrindadeRecommended by André P.
Bakeries/CafesArcádia
The sweet smell of cocoa lures visitors into Arcádia — a chocolate shop that has been handcrafting luxurious chocolate (in different shapes and forms) since 1933.
Porto, MiragaiaRecommended by Ana C.
Big Group FriendlyBrasão Aliados
Brasão Aliados is a favorite spot in central Porto for petiscos, or small bites.
Porto, BolhãoRecommended by Magda M.
CasualCafé Aviz
If there’s one dish to try from Aviz it has to be the ‘Francesinha’ — a famous Portuguese sandwich that is a Porto original.
Porto, MiragaiaRecommended by Ana C.
PetiscosCasualCafé Piolho
Around the corner from the University of Porto, Café Piolho is often frequented by students.
Porto, MiragaiaRecommended by Ana C.
CasualCantina 32
Cantina 32 is a buzzing restaurant on Rua das Flores with industrial-chic décor and a modern feel.
Porto, RibeiraRecommended by André P.
CasualCasa da Mariquinhas
Originating in Lisbon, Fado is a typical Portuguese style of musical performance, where a fado singer leads the way, accompanied by someone playing the Portuguese guitar and a…
Porto, RibeiraRecommended by Ana C.
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