• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • About Me
    • Contributors

Sees Food, Will Travel logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • About Me
    • Contributors
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Travel
    • Recipes
    • About Me
      • Contributors
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Travel » Food Guides

    June 7, 2022

    Where to Eat in Porto, Portugal

    Portugal (and Portuguese food) had been on my bucket list for a looong time, and needless to say, I was very excited that I finally got to visit the country of Port wine - Porto. One of the things I looked forward to was exploring Porto's riverside life along the picturesque Douro river. Porto, Portugal fulfilled so much of my daydreams where I imagined eating some of the best seafood in my life! If you love seafood, I am confident this one-day food guide in Porto will help you take care of those cravings! Jump here if you want to view recommended restaurants and dishes.

    Breakfast at Confeitaria do Bolhão

    We crossed the Dom Luís bridge on its top level towards Confeitaria do Bolhão for breakfast on the Porto side. The view is fantastic on a sunny day. Carve out time to cross the top of this bridge. The view is Instagram-worthy!

    View of Duoro river from Dom Luis bridge
    View from Dom Luís Bridge

    Confeitaria do Bolhão was a bustling place in the morning, a sure sign of its popularity. The restaurant gallery is off to the left, a few steps past the pastry display, and the cafe is the open area in the back. It's easy enough to find a seat at the cafe section so long as you find an empty, cleaned table. If you find an open table, but it's not clean, stand by it, and a waiter should notice you. They will come over and clean up the previous guests' mess.

    You can also stand at the bakery counter if you know your Portuguese well enough (are brave enough) and request food to eat on top of the pastry case. Hang out at the counter as people watch you eat. We arrived at Confeitaria do Bolhão at about 10:00 AM. By 10:30 AM, I noticed a construction worker standing at the counter with a mini glass of white wine, which I later realized was a quintessential ritual for breakfast in Porto and the rest of the country.

    We got two pastries to start, a pastel de nata and the cafe's specialty, Tigelinhas do Bolhão. Tigelinhas do Bolhão are round tarts with a crunchy top and then filled with softened almond frangipane. It's so easy to eat a single serving of these pastries. I had to hold back on ordering more! This cafe is the only place where you can eat these almond tarts in Porto. Correct me if I am wrong, but I haven't found them elsewhere.

    Tiginlinhas do Bolhao for breakfast at Porto
    Where to eat in Porto Pastel de Nata at Confeitaria do Bolhao
    Pastries at Confeitaria do Bolhão

    For our main, we decided to split the famed Francesinha sandwich. The name was different on the menu as a special, but it had all the elements of this popular dish - a sandwich filled with ham, sausage, and cheese, then covered in more cheese and slathered with a homestyle tomato-based sauce. I found this dish an appropriate breakfast for our first day in Porto. 

    Breakfast in Porto: Francescinha with potatoes
    Confeitaria do Bolhão's version of Francesinha

    Do not forget to order a traditional Portuguese coffee, whether it's abatanado (similar to an Americano), galão (milk with coffee), or meia de leite (similar to a latte).

    When we visited (more than once!), we paid in cash every time since the cost of our meals was affordable. Though we are unsure whether Confeitaria do Bolhão is cash only, ensure you have prepared currency before going. It's easier to pay with cash at the desk and leave a tip because those waiters work hard!

    Walk Off Breakfast to the Other Side

    You will probably pass by São Bento, the central train station in Porto. The station's austere exterior is deceiving, and we learned it's designed to look that way. Just past through its archways lies some of the most extravagant and oversized blue tile art (azulejos) waiting to greet you! Spend some time taking pictures and marveling at the azulejo tiles inside the station.  

    Blue Tiles at Sao Bento
    The inside of São Bento railway station

    You would still be pretty full at this point, so walk towards the Vila Nova de Gaia side. There are lots to explore along the river and then there are the hills - your breakfast calories will be used as energy as you walk the alleyways in this historic neighborhood! 

    Lunch With a View of Porto

    Our lunch option at Vila Nova de Gaia was at a restaurant called Barris do Douro. It's difficult not to miss; the bright yellow building squeezed between two other restaurants practically beckoned us. We were seated on the second floor with a table next to the window facing the river.

    At Barris do Douro, we tried caldo verde, another must-eat in Portugal that translates to green soup featuring collard greens and potatoes. I was determined on eating seafood on my first day in Porto, so I got the clams with garlic in white wine sauce as another starter before my lunch main. 

    Lunch in Porto: Bowl of caldo verde or green soup on a red towel
    Caldo Verde at Barris do Douro

    John ordered a plate of tripe stew with beans and sausages called dobrada served with a side of rice. This tripe stew is a definition of comfort food. Its rich, creamy, and hearty profile activate those same warm and fuzzy feelings that all established comfort foods bring forth.

    A bowl to trip stew or dobrada for lunch in Porto
    Rice and dobrada (tripe stew) at Barris do Douro

    Still on the seafood train, I ordered the roasted codfish, which was a perfect dish for lunch. The cod was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside with a pickled topping that complemented the fish. I was delighted to check off my first Porto seafood lunch at Barris do Douro.

    Bacalhau assado (roasted cod) at Barris do Douro

    We also both tried a glass of vinho verde, or green wine, with our meals. Barris do Douro has a solid selection of demi bottles. So you can try two types of wine at 375ml without limiting yourself to a 750ml bottle.

    Lush it up at the Wine Taverns

    You might want to save drinking wine for tastings at the wine caverns nearby. There are plenty to choose from, and they run the gamut of Gaia's riverside. A good plan would be to walk as far west as possible to a wine cavern, then slowly make your way back towards the Dom Luís bridge. The caverns close around 6:00 PM or 7:00 PM, just in time for dinner on the Porto side.

    Wine Cavern flags along the river at Villa Nova de Gaia
    Flags of available places to taste port wine at Vila Nova de Gaia

    I promise you will get your fill of Port wine at Gaia, but please don't overlook dry wines offered at some wine cellars! Check out Solar Dos Dragos, nestled in one of Gaia's quaint alleyways. The owner is a vintner who excels in producing some unique Douro wines next to other popular local wine offerings. 

    Return to Porto for Dinner During Sunset

    Keep the seafood party going at Adega São Nicolau for dinner, located on the west end of the Porto's riverwalk. It is located near an entrance of one of many alleys. During our visit, we started with bacalhau fritters and fried alheira sausages.

    Where to eat in Porto: alheira sausage or fried sausage on a plate
    Fried sausage or alheira frita

    Bacalhau, or codfish, is the national dish of Portugal, so do not skip out on trying bacalhau fritters! They are delicious fried balls of shredded and breaded codfish mixed with potatoes and some spices. The fried alheira sausage at Adega São Nicolau isn't quite what you imagine a sausage to look like. But they are satisfyingly meaty, salty, and juicy as you would expect from a regular stuffed sausage.

    Bolinhos Bacalhau on a plate or Fried cod fritters
    Codfish Fritters

    For a main, we shared the fried octopus that came with rice. It was my first time trying octopus in Portugal, and I did not expect my fork to slide through the delicate meat. It was a fun experience, eating octopus that fell apart in my mouth. For the rest of our trip in Porto, I made sure to visit restaurants where I could eat octopus at least once a day!

    Dinner in Porto: plate of fried octopus on a wood table
    Fried octopus fillets with rice

    Our second main was a bowl of shrimp in garlic sauce that came with a side of fried potatoes. The garlic shrimp was a dish that exceeded expectations, and the potatoes that came with them were flawlessly fried.

    A saucepan of shrimp at Sao Nicolau, Porto
    Shrimp in sticky, salty garlic sauce

    Tips for Dinner in Porto

    Since Porto is a popular tourist destination, make sure to call ahead of your visit (perhaps even weeks earlier) to book a table at a restaurant. We didn't realize that dinners in Porto, let alone Portugal, would be a hectic activity - we constantly waited in long lines and had a limited choice of seating. Save yourself the trouble and time by booking ahead at choice restaurants. This is especially important if you find a restaurant in Porto where you would like to eat a local specialty. Porto is small and those with specialties will most likely be booked in advance!

    Porto was my gateway to the rest of Portugal, and I look forward to sharing more experiences and food guides on this country! I felt like I unlocked an entirely new cuisine and eating culture as deep and rich as their vineyards. I hope you feel the same.

    Where to Eat in Porto, Portugal Food Guide 

    Breakfast: Confeitaria do Bolhão

    Recommended:

    • Tigelinhas do Bolhão (almond tart)
    • Pastel de Nata (egg custard tart)
    • Francesinha (sausage, ham sandwich in sauce) - listed as a special ham sandwich

    Lunch: Barris Do Douro Restaurante

    Recommended:

    • Caldo Verde (green soup)
    • Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato (clams in garlic sauce)
    • Bacalhau Assado (roasted codfish)
    • Dobrada (tripe stew)

    Dinner: Adega São Nicolau

    Recommended:

    • Bolinhos Bacalhau (codfish fritters)
    • Alheira Frita (Alheira fried sausage)
    • Filetes de Polvo com Arroz do Mesmo (octopus fillet with rice)
    • Gambas ae Molho d'alho (shrimp in garlic sauce)

    Curious for More Food Guides?

    Check These Out 😎

    • Two Types of Wine Tastings in Telavi, Georgia
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in Prague
    • Wirtschaft Degenried: A Hidden Gem Restaurant in Zurich
    • Hawksmoor & Flatiron: Steaks in London

    Tried Some of These Places?

    Please leave me a comment down below telling me how your trip went. Bonus: Let me and other readers know what you did to make this itinerary more interesting - 💫 let's inspire each other!

    Also, follow me on Instagram [@seesfoodwilltravel] and send me a DM of the food you tried. I would love to share and celebrate YOUR experience with our budding community 💞

    Check out Sees Food, Will Travel on Pinterest and Facebook for more delicious updates.

    More Food Guides

    • Chkmeruli with white garlic sauce in a clay pan
      Georgian Main Dishes
    • Flat white in a teal mug on a wooden table at a cafe in Budapest
      10+ Budapest Cafes Worth a Visit
    • Hungarian Parliament Visit and Budapest Food Guide
    • Fire tongs punch or feuerzangenbowle at Belvedere Palace Christmas market
      Get the Most of Vienna's Christmas Market Food

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Joanne!

    Living abroad has taught me how food plays an important role in making connections worldwide. I love pies, Asian food, anything made from potatoes, and wine when it comes to food.

    You can learn more about me here.

    I created this site to track my gastronomy adventures, record inspired recipes, and help others build meaningful (and delicious!) travel itineraries.

    Cheers!

    Trending Recipes

    • Closeup of ube lava cake on a blue plate
      Ube Lava Cake
    • Rolled egg omelet or gyeran mari on a plate
      Cheesy Gyeran Mari (Rolled Omelet)
    • Ube cinnamon rolls on a wood table
      Ube Cinnamon Rolls
    • Sliced maja blanca on parchment paper
      A Creamy Maja Blanca Recipe

    Delicious Food Guides

    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner in Belém (then Lisbon)
    • Overhead view of various plates in Degenried
      Wirtschaft Degenried: A Hidden Gem Restaurant in Zurich
    • Hawksmoor steak header
      Hawksmoor & Flatiron: Steaks in London

    Don't know where to start? See everything I've ever written here.

    Footer

    Currently

    I love anything that has to do with travel, eating, and cooking.

    Nowadays I am getting to know my Filipino heritage by developing some recipes of my own. Check out some Filipino recipes - you will love it 💕

    • Contact
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy

    Filipino Recipes

    Baked ube sugar cookies
    Fried Filipino fritters on a gray plate
    Closeup of Bistek tagalog or Filipino beefsteak
    • Recipe Index
    • Travel & Food Guide Index

    stay connected

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2023 Sees Food, Will Travel

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT