For many tourists, a trip to Portugal begins and ends in Lisbon, but it would be a mistake for hungry travelers to overlook Porto, the capital’s food-loving cousin to the north. The city is known for its enthusiastic s and prime location between the Atlantic, Douro River, and mountainous countryside, all of which contribute essential ingredients to the local cuisine.
Porto has maintained a remarkable connection to its gastronomic heritage, seen in the city’s seafood-focused marisqueiras and its casual neighborhood tascos (a regional alternative spelling for the more common “tasca”). Residents are nicknamed Tripeiros after Porto-style tripe, which comes in a rich stew of beans, sausages, and vegetables. But the city’s most famous dish is francesinha, a humongous sandwich with layers of sausage, ham, steak, melted cheese, and sometimes a fried egg.
Finding a great meal couldn’t be easier, especially as visitors and new residents from around the world spur additional natural wine bars, fancy cocktail bars, bakeries, and modern restaurants on top of Porto’s hefty culinary base. During summertime, grilled fish, fried octopus filets with rice, and many glasses of wine are all excuses to gather friends and family around the alfresco table.
In this latest refresh, we’ve revamped our write-ups to include even more relevant info for diners, including a rough range of pricing for each destination — ranging from $ for quick, inexpensive meals with dishes largely under $10 (or the equivalent in euros), to $$$$ for places where entrees exceed $30.
New to the map in April 2025: O Fernando, a Porto classic with particularly excellent cabrito de leite (roast baby goat) and a great wine list; the cozy and casual Borboleta, a gem in an underserved neighborhood; Pata Gorda, serving bold comfort food from an open kitchen; the tasco institution Casa dos Presuntos “O Xico,” where a single family serves sandwiches, snacks, and lots of cold beer; the lovely eight-seat izakaya Rino; Mafalda’s, which offers the best of local markets for a light or hearty lunch; the charcoal-grilled fish specialist Salta o Muro right near the docks; retro smashburger spot Brusco; sleek cafe and coffee roaster Von & Vonnie; and Adega de São Nicolau, a rustic Ribeira restaurant with standout local dishes.
Rafael Tonon is a journalist and food writer living between Brazil and Portugal, covering the restaurant industry in Lisbon for outlets like the Washington Post, Epicurious, and leading Portuguese publications. A contributor to Eater since 2008, he is also the author of Food Revolutions (published in Portuguese and Spanish).
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