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Portuguese food is having a major moment in Toronto, and you’ll probably notice it even more so this week, with Portugal taking on Croatia in a World Cup knockout match on Thursday evening. And yes, that means Cristiano Ronaldo is in town, so Little Portugal will likely be packed!
Whether you’re heading out to watch the match or just using it as an excuse to eat your way through piri piri chicken and pastéis de nata, here are some of the best Portuguese restaurants in Toronto to visit while World Cup fever takes over the city (and long after the tournament wraps up).
Taberna Nacional
Apparently, this is Nelly Furtado’s go-to spot for the World Cup, so it’s definitely worth adding to your World Cup restaurant bucket list! Taberna Nacional’s menu features francesinha, Porto’s famously indulgent sandwich stacked with AAA striploin, spicy chouriço, melted Asiago, a fried egg and the restaurant’s signature sauce, served with house pickles and fries. Save room for a warm pastel de nata or dessert in a martini glass to finish. 928 College St.
Chiado
This College Street restaurant is more of a splurge, with a menu featuring seafood and tempting Portuguese flavours. Start with the grilled squid, it comes loaded with fresh coriander, lemon, garlic and extra virgin olive oil, or go for the grilled tiger shrimp spiced with piri piri and served with roasted jalapeños and banana peppers.
For mains, the grilled salted cod with roasted garlic and olive oil is a classic choice, while the grilled octopus with roasted sweet pepper salsa is chef’s kiss if you want a standout seafood dish. This isn’t a loud sports bar; it’s more of a sit-down dinner spot, making it perfect if Portugal wins and you want to mark the occasion with some proper grub. 864 College St.
Amigos da Dundas
Amigos da Dundas is a livelier spot with large-screen TVs and a tempting menu: start with the classic bifana, made with marinated pork cutlets, sauce, onions and peppers, or, if you’re with a group, order the Amigos Pica Pau, which comes with bite-sized Portuguese-style meat over fries, topped with pickled vegetables and olives. Throw in a few Super Bock pale lagers and round things out with pastéis de nata for a sweet finish. 1570 Dundas St W.
Nossa Casa Sports Cafe
This family-run Dundas West spot isn’t big on social media, but it’s a popular neighbourhood hangout where everyone will feel like family within minutes (and th. Try the bifana, a juicy pork sandwich served on a soft Portuguese bun, or go for the prego, a garlic-marinated steak sandwich on a crusty roll. If you’re settling in for the evening with a group, order the pica-pau: this shareable plate of bite-sized sautéed meat is served over fries with pickled veggies and olives. 1331 Dundas St W.
Bairrada Churrasqueira
Bairrada Churrasqueira is the go-to if you’re craving Portuguese barbecue! Start with the juicy, flame-grilled Picanha served with rice, fries and black beans. There’s also the bitoque, a steak-and-egg plate served with fries and rice, as well as pork cutlets, veal cutlets and sandwiches on a papo seco Portuguese bun.
Seafood lovers can opt for the grilled sardines, codfish, sea bass, grilled calamari or clams Bulhão Pato-style, while anyone just looking for a snack can try the flaming chouriço or Portuguese fresh cheese. 1560 Dundas St W.
Taberna LX
Taberna LX brings a more modern, Lisbon-inspired take on Portuguese dining to Dundas West. Try the classic francesinha, which celebrates flavours from northern Portugal and is made with in-house chouriço and mortadella. Finish with pão de ló, an olive oil cake served with bay leaf ice cream, or flan with port and lychee.
Whether Portugal wins or loses, the two-storey restaurant also features Azorean wines and fruity cocktails that you can sip on the rooftop patio after the match. 1161 Dundas St W.
Leão d’Ouro
Leão d’Ouro isn’t in Toronto proper, but it’s totally worth the drive to Mississauga, as it has one of the GTA’s most extensive Portuguese menus, packed with everything from traditional cod dishes to lavish seafood platters.
Start with a bowl of caldo verde, Portugal’s popular kale and chouriço soup, or steamed mussels cooked Bulhão Pato-style in garlic, white wine and coriander! From there, indulge in the restaurant’s signature Bacalhau à Leão d’Ouro, pan-fried salt cod with sautéed onions and potatoes, or Bacalhau à Brás, shredded cod tossed with shoestring potatoes, eggs and parsley. If you’re a seafoodie, try the cataplana brimming with prawns, calamari, mussels, clams, octopus, lobster and fresh fish, or the grilled octopus with Mediterranean salsa or seafood rice. 920A Dundas St E, Mississauga.
Alma Lusa, inside Café Belém
Alma Lusa has transformed part of Café Belém into the city’s first Portuguese snack bar, serving elevated takes on classic sandwiches, pastries and comfort food!
The francesinha is the standout, layering veal cutlet, ham, pork sausage, melted cheese and a rich beer sauce over fries, while the bifana is a more traditional order, with tender stewed pork tucked inside a papo seco bun. The creamy bacalhau com natas is another house fave, pairing salt cod with potatoes, onions and a velvety cream sauce, while the duck rice offers a comforting taste of Portugal. If you’re just stopping by for a snack, order a couple of shrimp rissóis, cod fritters or coxinhas before finishing with a freshly baked pastel de nata or a cream-filled bola de Berlim. 350 Oakwood Ave. (inside Café Belém).
Adega Restaurante
Adega serves up Portuguese-inspired seafood from across the world, taking old recipes and cooking techniques and pairing them with modern flavours and complementary styles of cuisine. Start with grilled Portuguese sardines, grilled squid with lemon, coriander and garlic olive oil, or black tiger shrimp coated in piri piri sauce.
For mains, the restaurant’s signature cataplana brings together mussels, shrimp, clams, squid and fresh fish in a fragrant tomato broth, while the grilled Mediterranean octopus is served with tomato, red onion and caper salsa. Pair everything with Portuguese wine before ending on a sweet note with a Madeira wine-poached pear or white chocolate crème caramel. 33 Elm St.
Mercado
Mercado is more of a folksy, family-run Portuguese hangout with authentic Portuguese flavours. Kick the evening off on the Portuguese-inspired dining patio with crispy bolinhas de bacalhau, grilled Portuguese chouriço or the pica-pau, featuring pan-fried beef in Madeira wine with pickled onions.
Or dive right into the seafood, with tempting options like frutos do mar with shrimp or the octopus salad with chickpea purée and passion fruit jelly. If you’re a meat lover, the garlic-sauced Angus steak bitoque is crowned with a fried egg and served with fries, while the Portuguese-style duck rice comes with confit duck leg and chouriço.
Honestly, just order a little bit of everything! 682 Caledonia Rd.
