Must-see restaurants in Portugal

  • Tantura

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This Middle Eastern godsend started with a love story: Israeli couple Elad Bodenstein and Itamar Eliyahuo fell in love with Portugal on their honeymoon…

  • O Camilo

    Lagos

    Perched above pretty Praia do Camilo, this sophisticated restaurant is renowned for its high-quality seafood dishes. Specialities include razor clams,…

  • Jimão

    Ribeira

    Many of the restaurants on Praça da Ribeira are tourist central, but Jimão is the real deal. Service is genuinely friendly, the upstairs dining room has a…

  • ZeroZero

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Just arriving at your table here is a memorable ride, sliding past an enormous illustration from Ana Gil, a beautiful prosecco bar and minimalist copper…

  • Hungry Biker

    Miragaia

    If you – like the husband and wife owners – love to ride your bicycle, this place is a winner. The artsy cafe has an environmentally friendly ethos,…

  • Flor dos Congregados

    Aliados & Bolhão

    Tucked away down a narrow alley, this softly lit, family-run restaurant brims with stone-walled, wood-beamed, art-slung nooks. The frequently changing…

  • Maré Cheia

    Aveiro

    Maré cheia means ‘high tide’ in Portuguese, but 'cheia' (full) applies equally to this popular seafood eatery. You'll often have to elbow your way through…

  • Café-Restaurante Alentejo

    Mértola

    This attractive place in Moreanes, 10km from Mértola on the way to São Domingos, is almost a museum thanks to its antique exhibits (including the local…

  • Faz Gostos

    Faro

    Sophisticated twists on Portuguese classics at this stylish restaurant in the old town might include xarém (maize porridge) with Ria Formosa clams,…

  • Manteigaria

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Baking pastéis de nata (custard tarts) really is like rocket science in Lisbon. This born-again butter factory gets it just right – crisp tarts that flake…

  • Mercearia do Miguel

    Foz do Douro

    A bright, retro-cool cafe in a born-again 1950s grocery store by the seafront, the Mercearia do Miguel is a wholly inviting choice for a healthy breakfast…

  • Tacho à Mesa

    Olhão

    A white, modern interior is the stylish setting for first-rate traditional cooking using fresh produce purchased twice daily from the markets. Menu…

  • Tease

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    This rock ‘n’ roll bakery specialises in decadent cupcakes piled high with frosting (dive straight into the doce de leite if available!), as well as other…

  • Cafeína

    Foz do Douro

    Hidden coyly away from the seafront, Cafeína has a touch of class, with soft light casting a flattering glow across its moss-green walls, crisp…

  • Ao 26 – Vegan Food Project

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    So good it even lures in devout carnivores, this small, hip and bustling place offers two elaborate, daily-changing chalkboard specials (eg Manchurian…

  • Momentos

    Évora

    Jorge, the affable proprietor of Momentos, takes great pride in the bounty of the Alentejo, which he showcases each night on his changing blackboard menus…

  • De Castro Gaia

    Vila Nova de Gaia

    Polished concrete, slatted wood and clean lines give this restaurant in the Espaço Porto Cruz a slick, contemporary look. The menu matches reasonably…

  • Gelato Davvero

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Owner Filippo Licitra defected from Lisbon's Gelataria Nannarella and his rival gelataria, Davvero, boasts 35 or so changing flavours, so there's room for…

  • Mercado Beira-Rio

    Vila Nova de Gaia

    What a welcome addition to Gaia's riverfront this covered food market is! Nip in and see what takes your fancy at the independently run food stalls –…

  • Bistro Barão

    Évora

    This tiny family-run restaurant serves exquisitely prepared Portuguese dishes using high-quality products. Start with sauté shrimp with garlic or stuffed…

  • Flor da Laranja

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Casablanca native Rabea Esserghini runs a one-woman show at the wonderful Flor da Laranja. Service is slow, but the cosy North African ambience and…

  • Chapitô à Mesa

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    At this circus school's casual cafe, the decidedly creative menu of Chef Bertílio Gomes is served alongside views worth writing home about. His modern…

  • O Paulo

    Aljezur

    Adjacent to the ruined fortress of Arrifana, O Paulo has a romantic covered terrace with majestic clifftop views as far as Cabo de São Vicente. The vistas…

  • Intrigo

    Miragaia

    What's not to love about the sensational views over the rooftops and down to the river from the terrace of this tucked-away cafe, fitted out with a…

  • Cantinho Lusitano

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Sharing is what this unassuming little place is all about. Its appealing menu of petiscos, such as Azeitão cheese, chorizo, garlic shrimps, pica-pau beef…

  • Queijaria

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    What started as Lisbon's only dedicated cheese shop has evolved into a fantastic place to sample over 60 top homemade cheeses from small regional…

  • Porta 4

    Miragaia

    The clue's in the name: Porta 4 has just four tables for a lucky handful of diners, so book ahead. If you can snag one of them, you're in for a treat:…

  • Veneza

    Albufeira

    Famed for its cataplana – here, a delicious pork and clam combination – Veneza also turns out superb dishes such as polvo à lagereiro (tender octopus with…

  • Il Gallo d'Oro

    Funchal

    Two Michelin stars shine brightly from the kitchen of chef Benoît Sinthon, who supplies very well-heeled diners with aromatic Mediterranean and gourmet…

  • Dom Carlos

    Albufeira

    Higher-end restaurants tend to be out of town, but here you can splash out and still walk back to your hotel. The elegant but intimate interior, dressed…

  • Armazém do Sal

    Funchal

    Housed in an old stone-and-dark-beamed salt store, this is one of the city centre's best restaurants with a different menu to most of its competitors…

  • Zé Manel dos Ossos

    Coimbra

    Tucked down a nondescript alley, this hole-in-the-wall gem, papered with scholarly doodles and scribbled poems, is much loved for its hearty meat…

  • O Cabeço

    Estremadura & Ribatejo

    This lovely spot, located on a hill behind Alcobaça in Bemposta, is an understated, modern, wooden-and-stone cabana with country-garden surrounds. It…

  • Salgáboca

    The Beiras

    There's usually a good buzz at this modern restaurant just off the seafront. The name means 'salty mouth' so there's no prize for guessing the menu:…

  • DOP

    Ribeira

    Housed in a grand edifice, DOP is one of Porto's most stylish addresses, with its high ceilings and slick, monochrome interior. Much-feted chef Rui Paula…

  • LSD

    Ribeira

    Nothing to do with mind-bending drugs, this slick, contemporary bistro sets the scene with soft lighting and lemon and grey hues. The chef cooks clean,…

  • Vila Velha

    Sagres

    In an elegant old house accessed by a lovely, mature front garden, upmarket Vila Velha offers consistently good seafood mains (go for the catch of the day…

  • Sea Me

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This urban-cool space serves grilled fish by the kilo (market prices; check out the tempting fresh selection in the back), and Portuguese-leaning sushi …

  • Tapas Nas Costas

    Coimbra

    All the rage right now, this sophisticated spot boasts a prime location on the steep steps up the historic centre. Refined decor and friendly service set…

  • O Bairro

    Aveiro

    Classic Portuguese cuisine gets a fusion makeover at this smart, tiled eatery near the fish market. Bag a table in the spacious, light-filled interior and…

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