Porto may be best known for its famous port wine, but for us it’s one of Portugal’s most exciting food destinations. Every visit we discover new places, from creative restaurants and specialty coffee to artisan bakeries and relaxed lunch spots. While Lisbon is where we spend most of our time, Porto always gives us another reason to come back. These are the places we’ve personally visited and genuinely recommend for outstanding food, great coffee and memorable experiences.
Best Restaurants in Porto
Genuino
Without a doubt one of our favourite restaurants in Porto. Genuíno serves modern sharing plates inspired by Portuguese flavours, with plenty of vegetarian, fish and meat options. The menu changes regularly and their natural wine selection perfectly completes the experience.
Alto
If you’re looking for a slightly more refined dinner in Porto, Alto is a fantastic choice. Every dish feels carefully considered, allowing simple ingredients to shine without overcomplicating them. Add thoughtful wine pairings, warm hospitality and the unforgettable homemade Japanese chocolates with olive oil and Maldon salt, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a memorable evening.
Coupage 51
Coupage 51 is a cosy tapas restaurant serving generous Portuguese-inspired sharing plates at very reasonable prices. From crispy croquettes to baked camembert and fried aubergine, every dish is perfect for sharing. Pair it with a bottle of Vinho Verde and you’re set for the evening.
Esquina do Avesso
Located in Leça da Palmeira just outside Porto, Esquina do Avesso is well worth the short drive. Expect bold flavours, creative dishes and beautifully presented plates. Our favourite was the potato with hollandaise and fennel. The surrounding area is also home to several excellent fine dining restaurants.
Okra
When we’re craving pizza in Porto, Okra is always at the top of our list. Expect perfectly blistered crusts, fantastic starters and a lively atmosphere filled with locals and visitors alike. The quality-to-price ratio here is hard to beat.
Gharb
A wonderful Middle Eastern restaurant right in the centre of Porto. Fresh homemade bread, creamy labneh and refreshing homemade lemonades make Gharb a perfect lunch or dinner spot. On sunny days, their terrace is ideal for lingering over a glass of wine.
Venn Canteen
Venn Canteen proves that plant-based food can be incredibly flavourful. Their creative vegan menu changes regularly and every dish is packed with bold flavours. We combined our visit with nearby Capela das Almas, making it one of our favourite afternoons in Porto.
Best Lunch Spots & Bakeries in Porto
Epoca
If we could recommend just one lunch spot in Porto, it would be Epoca. Their ever-changing vegetarian menu proves that simple ingredients can be incredibly exciting. Everything is beautifully balanced, seasonal and surprisingly affordable. They only open for weekday lunch, so arriving early is definitely worth it.
Hakko
Hakko combines specialty coffee with one of the best brunch and lunch menus in Porto. Their homemade sourdough is the foundation of beautiful toasts, served with fresh seasonal ingredients and plenty of creativity. A place we happily return to every visit.
Farina
Farina is one of those bakeries you’ll smell before you see. Fresh bread, flaky pastries and rustic focaccia fill the shelves from early morning. Their tomato, olive and herb focaccia is easily one of our favourite bakery finds in Porto.
Mila
If you’re looking for flaky pastries and excellent coffee, Mila is well worth a stop. This stylish bakery combines slow-fermented sourdough with beautiful French-inspired pastries, all made fresh each day. Grab a table and enjoy one or Porto’s nicest breakfast spots, also great for take away!
Calma
Housed inside a beautiful historic building, Calma is worth visiting for the atmosphere alone. Thankfully the coffee is just as impressive. Their batch brew is one of the best we’ve had in Porto, making it a perfect stop while exploring the city.
Manna
Manna focuses on organic, locally sourced ingredients and offers a colourful breakfast and lunch menu. We stopped by for coffee, but after seeing the dishes leaving the kitchen it’s definitely high on our list for our next visit.
SO Coffee Roasters
A must for specialty coffee lovers. SO Coffee Roasters roast their own beans and supply many cafés throughout Portugal, which says enough about the quality. Whether you prefer espresso or filter coffee, you can’t go wrong here.
My Green Pastry
My Green Pastry is an entirely plant-based bakery creates beautiful pastries and cakes fresh every morning. We loved their signature flan cake, but honestly everything in the display looked impossible to resist.
Wine Bars in Porto
Apothek
Apothek is the kind of wine bar you visit when you genuinely love wine. Owner Pedro has an impressive selection and, more importantly, the knowledge and enthusiasm to talk you through it. We came in for a glass and could easily have stayed for hours tasting and talking about different regions and producers. Small, personal and exactly the kind of place where wine never feels intimidating.
Prova
Prova has been part of Porto’s wine scene for years and still feels refreshingly personal. The focus is firmly on Portuguese wine, with tastings, thoughtful explanations and small plates such as cheese and charcuterie to pair alongside it. There’s also a small outdoor terrace, which makes it an especially nice stop early in the evening. A great place to discover bottles you might otherwise never order.
Food Experiences in Porto
Taste Porto Food Tours
We’re usually quite selective with food tours, but Taste Porto genuinely added something to our time in the city. They’ve been running food tours in Porto for more than a decade and focus on the people, traditions and stories behind the food rather than simply ticking off famous dishes. Our guide clearly lived and breathed Porto’s food culture, which made the whole experience feel more like being shown around by someone deeply connected to the city.
