Where to get the best Francesinha, that “heart attack” sandwich everyone talks about? Where to eat like a local? What to do on a rainy day? Below, we’re leaving some tips for you to plan your trip in advance. Some of them are favourite spots and others are so popular that you really must go. We split them by topic and by clicking on them you will know where they are located. Enjoy!
Francesinha
The rich stuffed sandwich that comes on a plate is perhaps the most popular gastronomic attraction in Porto. Locals discuss about the best places to eat it, about the ones with the best quality meat and everyone claims they have a secret ingredient in the sauce. There’s obviously no agreement, but we’re sharing our favourite ones and the most popular ones.
Where we normally go
Local café “snack-bar” where locals go. For us, the best ones in town.
Located centrally, by Poveiros square, which is like the biggest concentrations of houses where to eat a francesinha. Not as busy, not as popular, but way much better than the popular ones.
A small café in Cedofeita, our neighboourhood. Best value for money.
Popular places
They have several locations, but this one is the most central one, next to the city hall.
Probably the most famous of all locations, normally with a big line to enter during high season.
Also a famous one with a lot of demand.
A more recent one, also in Poveiros.
Traditional Food
Though Francesinha is the most popular meal you’ll find in town, Porto’s traditional meal is Tripas (tripes). Thus, the locals are known as “tripeiros”. But there’s more: cabrito, polvo, bacalhau, sardines and many other types of fish are part of the local gastronomy.
Located in Ribeira, by the water front. Very popular with delicious traditional meals. Better book in advance. We love the Arroz de Tamboril (Monkfish rice) there.
Close to Carmo church, has a great menu with some of the best local delicacies. Great Tripas and also a lot of grilled meals.
Where locals still go for Sunday lunch. And that says it all.
Very local place with a daily menu for locals. Nice outdoor seating facing the garden. Nice grilled fish.
Codfish, francesinha, codfish paella, beef, you name it. One of our favourites.
Local place where you can get not only chicken (frango) but most of the local delicacies. Seat at the counter and enjoy the local scene.
Local food with a little bit more of class. Favourite is Arroz de Costelinhas.
Local place with outdoor seating.
An old tavern with a cozy interior in granite and wood. Tripas is a must have.
New place with a very interesting menu.
Modern Portuguese
If you look more than just traditional Portuguese, we left below some places that reinvent Portuguese cuisine in a modern way.
One of the most famous Portuguese chefs.
By Vasco Coelho Santos, a local chef.
Very popular place with a modern interpretation of the Portuguese cuisine.
Modern interpretation of tapas (petiscos). Book in advance.
Taverns
A big part of Porto’s soul lies in its taverns. This is where you can find the most genuine atmosphere. This is where you can find the local green wine. This is where you can find the most traditional “petiscos”. We love Porto’s “tascas” (taverns) and we often go there.
Our favourite. Busy place with all sorts of locals. The best delicacies in town, famous for their Sandes de Rojão. Terrible light, but locals seem not much concerned about it.
Pictured above. Incredible delicacies with a very, very, but really very local scene. Sande de Filete de Pescada (hake fillet sandwich). White green wine served in pottery bowls. Just try it!
Similar to the one above, located also nearby. Try the little sardines and presunto.
Small little and cozy place run by a lovely couple. Green wine, smoked meat and cheese.
Tapas
This is an international word for visitors to understand what they are dealing with. In Portugal, tapas are “petiscos”, and the locals always have an excuse for a “petisco”. Sometimes a “petisco” is an excuse for a drink, sometimes a drink is an excuse for a “petisco”. Though most of the typical “petiscos” are found in “tascas” (taverns), some modern places are also a good option.
Popular place for international tapas with a more modern touch. It’s a popular place. Better book in advance.
Good value for money. Espadal with a presunto sandwich is a must.
Galician tapas mixed with Porto tapas.
Small place with typical Portuguese tapas.
Fresh Fish
With more than 900 kms of shore, fish is a big part of the Portuguese diet. Bacalhau is the king, but the Portuguese also love their fresh fish, especially grilled.
Fishing village with many restaurants supplied by the local fishing community
Our favourite in the village. Fresh fish (pictured), nice wine, nice prices and friendly staff. Robalo and rodovalho are a must!
Taberna S. Pedro (in Afurada – open on Mondays)
A good alternative to our favourite, but it is normally busier. Great cuttlefish.
Fishing town north of Porto that you can reach by metro.
Nice little place with great fish.
Taberna Lusitana (in Matosinhos)
Located in the market, this is a must. You can buy your fresh fish in the market and, for a fee, they grill it for you. Don’t miss this experience.
Meia Nau (in Porto but also in Matosinhos)
Great option for fish and sea food in Porto downtown. Always busy, so you might want to book in advance.
Wine Bars
Great vibe with a mix of locals, ex-pats and visitors. Artsy ambiance and great selection of wines.
Lovely wine bar with a nice selection, good tapas. Always busy. If you don’t get a table, you just do like the locals. You stand up.
Our favourite. Granite, iron and wood. The true character of Porto.
Wine in an old chapel? Wine not?
New cocktail and wine bar with a great decoration.
Port Wine
Our favourite port wine. Small producer, passion, dedication, soul.
Our favourite big port wine producer. Great wines and a lovely cellar which they turned into a museum.
Medium sized producer with an amazing cellar that you don’t want to miss. They also have a garden bar open on weekends in the summer.
Wine Shops
Located uptown, here you’ll find the best wines from all over Portugal.
Nice wine shop located in Ribeira.
Great selection of port wine.
The shop itself is so beautiful that is worth a visit.
Located in Cedofeita, it has a good selection of wines.
Focused on natural wines mainly. You can also taste wine by the glass.
Gaia Side
The old market turned into a place where you can get food and drinks. Ideal for groups, as anyone can get what they want and sit a the same table.
We mentioned it before. Our favourite restaurant by the river on Gaia side. We love the Paella de Bacalhau.
Traditional food and nice decoration. It is usually busy, so you might want to reserve a table. Alheira in crispy puff pastry is a great entrée.
One of the oldest. Good food and very popular.
Traditional food with great atmosphere.
Museums
Museum Nacional Soares dos Reis
The building itself is beautiful. It has permanent and temporary exhibitions and an old garden where the old velodrome of Porto was located.
Porto has a great Romantic past and most of it can still be found here, in its exhibition or in the surrounding gardens and alley ways.
The best place to get to know the history of Porto. Possibly the birthplace of Henry the Navigator. Some medieval ruins can be spotted right away at the entrance.
Museum of Modern Art. You can also visit its beautiful gardens, only, if you’re not much into art.
Sacred art, a baroque church and a great collection located in Rua das Flores, one of the most popular pedestrian streets in Porto.
Centro Interpretativo do Património da Afurada
A village of sailors and fishermen with a great past that tells you how life was not so long ago.
Viva Douro Tours 