Where to Eat in Porto, Portugal

Breakfast

Café Majestic

Café Majestic is a classic, historic and artistic café located on Rua de Santa Clara. It has been listed down as Europe’s best destination in 2017. The thing I love the most about this café is it’s complicated design and architecture; works of the architect João Queiroz, this venue encompasses the Art nouveau style with the charm of “La Belle Epoque”. It’s former name “Elite Café” summarizes just what kind of café this is. This café is a place that combines art, glamour and culture; the décor is a combination of marble, floral elements, columns and large windows and this is a reflection of the intricate decorative style of the twentieth century. The menu is a second major reason as to why you should come to Café Majestic; you have a set menu including fresh orange juice, coffee or tea or hot chocolate, toast with homemade jams, freshly baked pastries and croissants, eggs or cheese and ham or smoked salmon, and to top everything off, a flute of sparkling wine. The café also offers afternoon tea and a wide range of foods for lunch or an afternoon snack such as salads, soups, tapas, sandwiches and pasta. I would highly recommend visiting this venue because you really feel like you have been brought back in time and you get a feel for what Oporto was like during the Belle Époque.

Location: Rua Santa Caterina 112

Opening Hours:

• Monday – Saturday 9. 30-23. 30

Café Majestic's website

The Travellers Café

The Travellers Café is a coffee house and juice bar located in the centre of Oporto. If you are feeling like you need a vitamin boost then this is the place for you; they offer juices with super foods, detox shots, ice-blended fruit smoothies, artisanal smoothies and of course hot drinks. They also have a varied food menu ranging from breakfast options such as acai bowls, eggs on toast, oatmeal with yoghurt and muesli with your choice of fruits to lunch options such as sandwiches and wraps, salads and burgers. When I came to the Travellers Café I chose an acai bowl with an orange, mango and banana juice - it was such a delicious and refreshing breakfast. Another good thing is that they are very quick to serve, therefore if you do not have much time in between things to do then this is a perfect place to go to and in 15 minutes be finished.

Location: Rua de Passos Manuel 165

Opening Hours:

• Monday-Thursday : 8. 15-21. 00
• Friday-Saturday: 8. 15-12. 00
• Sunday: 8. 45-20. 00

O Diplomata

This is the best breakfast I had in Oporto. Now when I say I am a healthy freak I mean I very rarely eat anything other than fruit, vegetables and salads but this was worth "cheating" the diet. Firstly you can either chose separate things or you can opt for the set menus. For 8 euros you have the choice of a simple pancake with honey, açai bowl, cold drink and hot drink and for 10 euros they add bacon and eggs. For any extra ingredients for the pancakes it is 50 p more. I went for the 8 euro option and added Forrest fruits on my pancake, but if you decide you want to create your own pancake you choose the base between simple, blueberry base, Nutella base, oat base etc. And later choose from the enormous variety of toppings and sauces.

The hot drinks are just as interesting, as they have Nutella cappuccino, Oreo cappuccino and classic ( also contains chocolate inside which was a nice surprise). This venue is literally heaven for sweet teeth.

As for the cold drinks, the milkshakes are delicious, I had forest fruit milkshake and it was the perfect combination of sweet and fruity. However they do come with whipped cream so if that's not your thing then do let them know before! If you are not a breakfast person or prefer something savory, then you have varied options such as warm toasties with aubergine and goats cheese or bacon and egg sandwich. Furthermore there are varied fresh salads to choose from.

Location: Rua de José Falcão 32

Opening hours:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 10. 00-20. 00
• Sunday: 10. 00 – 16. 00

Desde 1878

This is a little bakery is located on Praça de Guilherme Gomes Fernandesand, a little and delightful location when the weather is nice because you can have a coffee or a fresh juice whilst sitting outside in the sun. You can find all sorts of breads, pastries, cakes and little sweet delicacies in Desde 1878, and in fact it is a perfect place to try the Pastel de Nata, an egg tart pastry, one of Portuguese specialties.

Location: Praça de Guilherme Gomes Fernandes

Lunch

Praia da Luz

Praia da Luz is a restaurant/bar located on Avenida do Brazil along the beach. It is a tranquil place with a casual and cozy atmosphere with its chairs and sunbeds - It is a perfect place for having lunch alongside the beach in beautiful weather. The menu is varied; you can choose salads including a tuna and pineapple, black olives and cherry tomatoes or toasted sandwiches such as mozzarella and tomato or smoked salmon. You can also opt for something more filling such as burgers and the traditional Portuguese francesinha.

Location: Avenida do Brasil, Praia da Luz.

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday: 9. 00-2. 00

L'kodac:

This film like venue is located on Praia do Aterro on Avenida Coronel Hélder Ribeiro and is the ideal getaway from the city of Porto. This restaurant/bar is situated on the seashore just a few meters away from the sea. The relaxing atmosphere is created by the elegant and chic decor coupled with the prevalence in blue and green colors that symbolize tranquility.

On the main platform you have tables and chairs where you can enjoy your meal and on the right hand side there are three large white leather couches where you sunbathe or relax with a cocktail.

With regards to the food, L'Kodac has a wide variety of choices apt for any taste such as a fresh tropical salad with mango, strawberries and salmon, a caprese salad or a risotto. For something slightly heavier you can opt for a tuna steak laid on broccoli purée or fish of the day. However if you aren't very hungry then why not chose one of their bite size tapas such as vegetable spring rolls or a cheese platter. Concerning drinks, L'kodac also has a very extensive range of options both with and without alcohol. We tried a non-alcoholic fruit cocktail called San Francisco, which was sweet and refreshing.

Location: Avenida Coronel Hélder Ribeiro, Praia do Aterro

Opening Hours:

• Monday - Thursday: 11-24. 00
• Friday – Saturday: 11. 00-2. 00
• Sunday – 11. 00-24. 00

Joshper

Joshper is a simple and easy restaurant you can go to for a quick and economic lunch. They are located in the center of Oporto, close to the Livrairia Lello and Igreja dos Clerigos therefore it is a good place to stop and recharge your energies whilst touring around the sites. The menu offers both tapas and main meals. The tapas include things such as cured meat platters, cheese platters, tempuras and tortillas. The main menu is more extensive and you have the choice of soups, grilled fish fillets, chicken, and beef fillet steak.

Location: Rua das Carmelitas 151

Opening Hours:

• Monday – Thursday: 12. 00-23. 00
• Friday – Saturday: 12. 00-24. 00
• Sunday - 23. 00 – 23. 00

Dinner:

Ichi Ban

Ichi Ban is considered to be one of the top choices for Japanese cuisine in Oporto. This contemporary restaurant is incredible because it offers numerous options for both cooked food and sushi/sashimi. You also have a choice whether to go for the set menu, meaning that for 17 Euros during the week and 18 Euros at the weekend you can have a starter, miso soup, cooked fish main, cooked meat main, rice, desert and coffee or tea. Similarly with the sushi you can have a starter, miso soup, sushi, sashimi, desert and coffee or tea. A third option is the Ichiban menu that also includes friend tempura.

For a closer look at the menu take a look at their website and see the cooked menu or the sushi menu.

Opening times:

• Tuesday – Sunday 12h30 – 15h00
• Tuesday – Thursday: 19h30 – 23h00
• Friday – Saturday: 19h30 – 01h00

For reservations: +351226186111

Bh Foz

BH Foz, located on Avenida do Brasil, is a beautiful, modern venue facing the ocean. The architect made sure that the elegance of the building and location was reflected with the interior design. Used as a restaurant, bar and events hall this building is a lovely venue to come and taste some of the Mediterranean delicacies. The menu contains everything you could ever dream of: Soups, Fish, Meat, Steaks, Omelets, Pasta, Pizza and of course Deserts. The traditional “Açorda de marisco” is something to try and so is the grilled octopus, which is served with Paprika, new potato’s and green salsa. Come here for a full immersion in Portuguese tradition.

Location: Avenida do Brasil 498

For reservations online.

Kyoto na baixa

Kyoto na Baixa is a Japanese restaurant located in the center of Oporto on Praça Guilherme Gomes Fernandes The restaurant has a very relaxed feeling to it, with a simple and cozy décor and a wide ranged menu. You can choose between both sushi and cooked meals therefore it is apt for most tastes. I was surprised by the super attentive staff that was always ready to tend to your necessities. In terms of pricing it is very good, with prices varying from 5, 20-10 Euros for 8-piece sushi. As for the hot dishes you have a choice between yakisoba and curry, with prices ranging from 8-12. 50 Euros. Therefore if you are looking for a restaurant where you can eat in a relaxed atmosphere then this is the place for you.

Location: Praça Guilherme Gomes Fernandes 56

Opening Hours:

• Monday – Thursday: 12. 00-15. 00 / 19. 30-23. 00
• Friday: 12. 00-15. 00 / 19. 30-24. 00
• Saturday: 12. 30 – 15. 30 / 19. 30 – 24. 00

Pulcinella

Pizzeria Pulcinella is a top Italian restaurant located in Avenida Menéres in Matosinhos. The chef was voted one of the best chefs in 2016 and this really does reflect in the top quality foods they serve. They make their pizzas with a wood-fired oven resulting in Napoletan style high crust pizzas. The décor is very simple which makes it all the better; it is an easy, casual restaurant that serves high quality food. All of their starters are super, but my favorite was for sure the Burrata they served with rosmary focaccia. With the Pizzas you could chose to have two halfs of different pizzas however it will result with something absolutely enormous! The pizza Al Tartufo with white truffle cream is really to die for.

Location: Avenida Menéres 390

Opening Hours:

• Tuesday – Saturday: 12. 00-14. 30 / 19. 00 – 23. 00
• Sunday: 19. 00-23. 00

Reservations: they do not accept reservations.

O Valentim

O Valentim is a traditional restaurant located on Rua Heróis de Franca in Matosinhos. Initially opened in 2004 and later reconstructed in 2013 this restaurant is well known for serving the freshest and best quality fish in Porto. Their menu focuses on fresh, seasonal fish cooked in varied ways. Amongst the appetizers you can chose a fish soup, garlic prawns, squid, clams. Following the appetizers you can chose delicately grilled sea bass, turbot, sole, sardines and squid. Of course they have varied side options as well to accompany your main meal. These sides include chips, potatoes, salad, vegetables and white rice.

O Valentim also holds a lounge bar, a beautiful spacious room apt for having a drink whilst watching the sunset from the large glass windows overlooking the sea.

Location: Rua Heróis de França 26

Opening Hours:

• Monday – Sunday: 12. 00-23. 00

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