Favorite Restaurants in Porto for Every Budget and Taste
Porto is a foodie’s playground, with a range of cuisines from traditional Portuguese restaurants to international fare, casual eateries to fine dining. Porto is home to several amazing markets with everything from fresh fruits and veggies to divine pastries, sandwiches, meats and cheeses and so much more.
Over several trips, I have found a few favorite restaurants in Porto. I have explore budget friendly Porto restaurants and splurged on some high end Porto restaurants. Whether you are traveling Porto on a budget or splashing out, there is something for everyone in this famed Portuguese city.
Porto’s robust culinary scene is perfect for vegans and vegetarians, pescatarians, meat eaters. groups, couples, solo diners and anything in between.
These are some favorite places to eat in Porto, and I hope you love them as much as I have!
Porto Markets
Porto, and Gaia, have numerous markets to stroll through while taking in local sights, smells and tastes.
From the famed Mercado do Bolhão to the new Time Out Market, Porto markets feature everything from classic traditional pastries to modern fusion dishes and everything in between. Whether you are looking for traditional Portugues treats, modern twists on classics, or international fare, there is something for everyone to be found at the markets in Porto.
Mercado do Bolhão
🗺️R. Formosa 322, 4000-248 Porto
🕰️Mon-Sat 8a-12a, Sun - closed
🥬 Vegetarian Friendly
From fresh seafood, endless cheese, mini charcuteries, sweet treats, and everything in between, Mercado do Bolhão really has something for everyone.
This is a great place to sample so many Portuguese delights, take in all the sights and smells and just wander through the endless stalls.
Mercado Beira-Rio
🗺️Av. de Ramos Pinto 148, 4400-261 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
🕰️Daily 11a-10p
Located in Vila Nova de Gaia, Mercado Beira-Rio truly has something for everyone. From wine tastings to tapas, hearty meals, and endless sweat treats, you will find something to satisfy every craving here.
It can get a bit busy, and seating can be limited, so it is advised to go during off hours if visiting during peak season.
Porto Time Out Market
🗺️Ala Sul da Estação Ferroviária de São Bento, Praça de Almeida Garrett, 4000-069 Porto, Portugal
🕰️Sun-Thurs 10a-11p, Fri & Sat 10a-12a
💶€–€€
Admittedly, I am not a huge fan of Time Out Market Porto, as it is a bit overpriced, often crowded, and I think there are far better places to enjoy local fare. BUT if you are traveling in a group, want to sample numerous things, or are only in Porto for a limited amount of time, it can be a good option to try out several things and get a taste of what the city has to offer.
I have walked through the market, and though it was crowded, it is quite beautiful.
Porto Restaurants (& a Bar or 2)
Porto is packed with bars and restaurants. From fine dining to casual, riverfront to tiny places tucked away in the narrow streets of the city, there are endless options to please every palette.
These are some of my favorite restaurants in Porto at every budget.
Best Brunch Spots in Porto
Is brunch uniquely Portuguese? No.
Is it one of my favorite meals of the day? Yes.
While you won’t find a truly Portuguese brunch, there are some great local breakfast and brunch restaurants in Porto that are a great way to start your day.
These are some of my top brunch restaurants in Porto.
The Hungry Biker
🗺️Three locations in Porto:
Rua do Almada 57/59 4000, 4050-036 Porto
Rua das Taipas 68, 4050-527 Porto
R. das Flores 146 148, 4050-263 Porto
🕰️Daily 8:30a-4p
💶€€
🥬Vegan and Veggie Friendly
🌈LGBTQ+ Friendly
🐶Dog Friendly
I went for a late brunch and had a great meal, delicious sangria, friendly service, and excellent people watching - what more could you want?
All three locations of this family-owned restaurant are highly rated, and if they are all as good as the one I went to, you really can’t go wrong with location.
CA Downtown
🗺️Praça de Carlos Alberto 89, 4050-158 Porto
🕰️Tues-Sun 8:15a-4:30p, Mon - Closed
💶€€
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
If you ae looking for a great brunch spot in Porto, CA Downtown - Brunch is a top option. I met a fellow traveler for brunch and beers here and it was the perfect brunch restaurant in Porto to start our day.
They have a broad, but not overly complicated menu, cute interior and outdoor seating space that offers great people watching. Our servers were friendly and fun and added to our experience.
STORY | brunch & cocktails
🗺️Rua dos Mártires da Liberdade 30, 4050-358 Porto
🕰️Daily 9a-6p
💶€€
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
I met a new friend here for brunch and we had such a lovely experience. The food with fresh and delicious and the service was warm and friendly.
Tucked in to a little side street, this spot is perfectly located for outdoor seating and excellent people watching.
Esquires Coffee Porto
🗺️R. de 31 de Janeiro 215, 4000-543 Porto
🕰️Daily 8:30a-6p
💶€€
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
I came here solo one morning when my friend went to tour a museum and loved it so much, I went back and brought her.
The service is so kind and friendly, the atmosphere is cozy and relaxed; welcoming to digital nomads, families, groups and the menu has something for everyone.
I easily could have spent all day here.
Majestic Cafe
🗺️Rua Santa Catarina 112, 4000-442 Porto, Portugal
💶€€–€
🕰️Mon-Sat 9a-11p
Is this an overpriced tourist attraction? Absolutely.
Do you need to go? Absolutely.
Even if just for an espresso (or one of the many coffee drinks offered) or a pastry, Majestic Cafe is something to experience on any visit to Porto.
*highly recommend the French toast
Great Lunch Spots in Porto
While Porto has some amazing breakfast spots and famed dinner restaurants, the city also boasts some great restaurants serving up midday meals. Some of these Porto restaurants are only open for breakfast and lunch, and some are open for dinner as well.
Whether you are looking for a quick bite, budget meal, or to sit and slowly enjoy a delicious lunch between sightseeing ventures, there is a great option here for you.
Bilha Nova
🗺️R. do Dr. Barbosa de Castro nº.64, 4050-090 Porto, Portugal
💶€€
🕰️Tues-Sat 12p-3p, 7p-10:30, Sun 12p-3p
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
🌈LGBTQ+ Friendly
We stumbled into Bilha Nova by accident and it was the perfect place to catch up after 5 weeks! We stopped in for a “bite” and “quick drink” and ended up having several tapas and a delicious pitcher of Sangria. We enjoyed it, and the lovely staff, so much we returned several times. The rose sangria and tapas are reason to come back over and over.
Rio da Vila Guest House Bar
🗺️80 Rua de Mouzinho da Silveira - 4050-415 PORTO
💶€€
This was also a happy accident that we found (looking for a W/C). We spotted this chic, but charming spot from across the street and thought we would grab an espresso, use the W/C and be on our way; but the atmosphere, friendly staff, and gorgeous cocktails kept us here for hours.
(The guest house itself also looks like a great place to spend a few days).
Cantinho dos Bragança
🗺️ Praça dos Poveiros 55, 4000-033 Porto
Rua da Alegria 26, 4000-032 Porto (only open for dinner)
🕰️Tues-Sat 12p-12a, Sun-Mon Closed
💶€€
Great lunch spot! I worked from here one afternoon and had a solid sampling of tapas, sangria (noticing a theme here…) and live music from different performers that passed by. Fun and friendly servers made this a perfect spot to spend an afternoon… in to happy hour.
⭐There is a second location that focuses on dinner and cocktails.
🥬Restaurante Salpicos Verdes
🗺️133, R. Álvaro de Castelões 90, Porto, Portugal
💶€
🕰️Mon-Fri 12:30a-5p, Sat & Sun-Closed
🥬Vegan/Vegetarian
A bit outside the city center, but well worth a visit, this Porto Vegan restaurant is a stand out for many reasons.
The owner and operating is so kind and inviting, and it is clear that all of her food is cooked with love and a bit of her Angolan roots.
This cafeteria style restaurant serves up rotating dishes, as well as daily specials and comes at a very fair price point. My whole mean was about 4€.
Brites Padaria Artesanal & Pastelaria Artesanal
🗺️R. da Constituição 661, 4200-200 Porto, Portugal
💶€-€€
🕰️Mon-Fri 8:30a-5p, Sat 8:30a-2p, Sun-Closed
🥬Vegetarian friendly
I typically avoid places that gained fame via going viral, but I made an exception for Brites after local friends raved about it, and it happened to be a 4 minute walk from where I was staying.
I am so glad I did’t avoid this amazing Porto Pastelaria!
Serving some of the most beautiful and decadent pastries in Porto, Brites has also stayed true to being an affordable bakery. I enjoyed a delicious veggie sandwich on house made bread with an espresso, then grabbed a huge, freshly made pastry to go for about 10€ making it the perfect budget friendly lunch in Porto.
Brites Porto is a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the 25 minute walk from the city center.
For Famous Local Dishes in Porto
Admittedly, I cannot recommend these local Porto restaurants firsthand because they are best known for meat-forward dishes and I don’t eat red meat or port (I know, this is a sin in Portugal), but luckily, I know and trust some local folks and amazing guides who love in indulge in these local Porto dishes.
These are the best local spots in Porto that are most frequently recommended by my local connections, and I can confidently recommend them based on their expertise and palette.
Cafe Santiago
🗺️R. de Passos Manuel 226, 4000-382 Porto, Portugal
🕰️Mon-Sat 12p-10:45p
💶€–€€
This cafeteria style traditional Portuguese restaurant in Porto is known for having one of the best Francesinhas in Porto (and all of Portugal).
You can sidle up to the counter or take a table to indulge in a Francesinha; a rich, iconic Portuguese sandwich from Porto, layers of bread, steak, ham, sausages, and melted cheese, smothered in a hot, spicy tomato-and-beer sauce, typically served with fries.
This place can get busy, especially at lunch, but I am told is well worth the wait.
Yuko Tavern
🗺️Rua de Costa Cabral 2331, 4200-232 Porto, Portugal
🕰️Mon-Thurs 12:30-2:30p, 7p-12a, Fri-Sat 12:30-2:30p, 7p-1a, Sun- closed
💶€€
Another top contender for the best Francesinha in Porto, Yuko Tavern is an elevated restaurant serving up Portuguese classic dishes in a beautiful setting. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a traditional Portuguese meal in Porto, Yuko Tavern is raved about for not just the food, but the great service and overall dining experience.
Cachorrinho Gazela
🗺️Travessa Cimo de Vila, 4-10, Porto
🕰️Mon-Sat 12p-10:30p, Sun-closed
💶€€ (cash only)
Cachorrinho translates to “little dog”, and that is what Cachorrinho Gazela is famous for… hot dogs, that is, of course. These traditional Portuguese bites are generally described as being similar to spicy sausage & cheese hot dogs.
Though it is famous for its hot dogs, this historic snack bar is high on my list for my return to Porto for it’s no-frills vibes, budget-friendly prices and variety of beer and other snacks.
Conga - Casa Das Bifanas
🗺️Rua do Bonjardim, 314-318, Porto, Portugal
🕰️Mon-Sat 11:30a-10p, Sun-Closed
💶€
Famed for the classic Portuguese Sandwich: the bifana, Conga is a Porto staple and a must try for anyone looking for the best bifana in Porto.
This lowkey, casual spot has a limited menu of Portuguese classics at great budget-friendly prices and a decent selection of beer to pair with your bifana (or Francesinha).
Pedro dos Frangos
🗺️Rua do Bonjardim, 223-312, 4000-124 Porto
🕰️Daily 11:45a-10:30p
💶€–€€
I can, very enthusiastically, speak to Pedro dos Frangos firsthand. A friend ordered us take out from this famous piri-piri chicken restaurant in Porto on the night I arrived, and it was the perfect, most delicious welcome back dinner.
If the takeout was as good as it was, I can confidently say the in-house experience must be top notch. This was by far the best piri-piri chicken I have had in Portugal, and I am looking forward to going experiencing a meal in the restaurant in the future.
Top Dinner Restaurants in Porto
While I am a bit partial to the diverse and international food scene in Lisbon, Porto has an incredible food scene of it’s own and the best way to explore that is by enjoying slow dinners with wine, laughter and long conversion.
Meals in Portugal are meant to be savored and enjoyed slowly and the best time to do that is at dinner.
These are some of my personal favorites, as well as a list of dinner restaurants that come very highly recommended by some local friends and trusted tour guides.
Mito Restaurant
🗺️R. de José Falcão 183, 4050-215 Porto
💶€€–€€€
“Casual Gourmet of Pedro Braga in Porto” Mito means “myth” in Portuguese, and that name is very telling. The goal of the proprietors at this Porto restaurant is to create a dream that sweetly infiltrates into reality. For a really cool, but casual, dining experience; Mito is perfect. It has a very elevated vibe with incredible food, that is truly an experience, while maintaining a lowkey and comfortable vibe.
📝Reservations strongly suggested
Brasão Aliados
🗺️R. de Ramalho Ortigão 28, 4000-407 Porto
🕰️Sun-Thurs12p-4:30p, 6:30-11:30p, Fri-Sat 12p-4:30p, 6:30p-12a
💶€€
Two words: vegetarian francesinha. Two more words: Blooming onion.
I was ready to give up 25 years of not eating red meat and pork to indulge in a francesinha sandwich after taking a bite of the bread, cheese, and sauce of a friend’s, until I discovered that Brasao has a vegetarian option.
That alone was worth the visit for me, but everything else on the menu was just as exceptional, and the warm inviting atmosphere and incredible service just make this a must visit on any visit to Porto.
📝Reservations strongly suggested.
CHAMA
🗺️Rua dos Caldeireiros 111, 4050-140 Porto
🕰️Tues-Sat 6p-12a, Sun-Mon Closed
💶55€ +drinks (*note the covert and water are not included)
Our menu includes various moments with ingredients that can include meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, and dessert. The courses vary according to the fresh products available everyday.
At CHAMA we want to provide an experience where our customers don’t know what courses will be presented. The goal is to let you be surprised by the creativity and quality of the courses that Chef Zé Pedro Moreno produces, taking into account the ingredients that local producers deliver to us daily.
This famous Porto restaurant is among the most recommended (if not the most recommended) restaurant by guides, locals, and several friends.
It took me 3 visits to Porto to finally make it to CHAMA, and I was honestly skeptical if it would live up to the hype: it did.
I went with a friend who came to visit, and we had an overall wonderful experience. The servers are fun and entertaining, the space is chill and not-at-all pretentious, and the chef’s choice menu was fresh and delicious.
Be prepared to spend a good 3 hours here, come hungry, and be ready for a great time!
⭐Chama books fast, and months out, so be sure to book well in advance.
🥬Nem Carne Nem Peixe
🗺️Rua do Almada 307, 4050-038 Porto, Portugal
💶€€-€€€
🕰️Tues-Sat 12p-3p, 7p-10:30, Sun 12p-3p
🥬Vegan/Vegetarian restaurant
Nem Carne Nem Peixe came up when I was on a a quest for the best vegan Francesinha in Porto.
After having tried a few vegggie francesinhas in Porto, I can solidly attest the vegetarian francesinha is absolutely one of the best in Porto.
On top of the amazing (and huge!) vegetarian Francesinha I enjoyed at this Porto Vegetarian restaurant, the service was absolutely top notch! I was treated to well as a solo diner and the whole experience felt elevated, while also casual and warm.
Nem Carne Nem Peixe has a robust menu serving both vegan and vegetarian options.
I will definitely be back to this amazing plant-based restaurant in Porto on future visits.
