Gerês is one of the best places to eat in Portugal, especially if you enjoy good meat. Here, the spotlight is on beef and kid goat. Additionally, the region is home to two Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) meats: Barrosã Beef and Cachena Beef from Peneda. Both come from native breeds raised almost freely in the mountains of Peneda-Gerês National Park, which gives them exceptional quality.
I have to admit, the meat in Gerês completely won us over. So much so that when we visited Argentina and tried their famous beef, we found ourselves longing for a thick slice of Cachena beef. Gerês beef is one of the best culinary experiences in Portugal, and the prices are very reasonable (although they have risen significantly in recent years).
With that in mind, you can’t go to Gerês without trying a good posta. To clarify: a posta is a thick grilled cut of meat, while a bife is a thinner cut, either grilled or fried. In addition, roast veal — tender, juicy, and with a crispy skin — is another standout dish in the region, with a mouthwatering aroma. If you prefer fish, cod and octopus are always safe bets.
We’ve been to Gerês many times — it’s one of our favorite places in the world — and we’ve tried several restaurants, some more than once. That’s why we put together this list of our go-to restaurants, including options spread across different areas to make your choice easier. At the end of the article, you’ll also find a map with all the locations mentioned, making your visit even more convenient!
Important
We received no financial incentives or sponsorships — these are simply restaurants we genuinely like and have personally visited.
In addition to this selection, we also have other articles with restaurant recommendations:
- 10 Portuguese restaurants to discover in Porto
- Where to eat in São Miguel? The 15 best restaurants in São Miguel, Azores
- Where to eat in Madeira? The 20 best restaurants in Madeira for all tastes
Lurdes Capela, Gerês Village, Terras do Bouro
Restaurante Lurdes Capela is situated in the heart of Gerês village, offering a prime location on the route to many of the park’s main attractions. The restaurant serves typical local dishes, like roast veal and codfish, and also offers some original twists, such as naco with Serra cheese. It also has vegetarian options and a kids’ menu.
It’s a place frequented by locals, which is always a good sign. During the week, they serve a daily special at an affordable price, and they also have an à la carte menu. We tried the steak with Serra da Estrela cheese and loved it — though we have to admit, we tend to enjoy anything with cheese!
The service was excellent, with very friendly and helpful staff. Prices per person are pretty reasonable. Without a doubt, this is a restaurant worth visiting when in Gerês.
- 💶 Price – €15–25 per person, depending on wine and whether you order the daily special or à la carte
- 🤝 Service – Very friendly and helpful staff
- 📅 Opening hours – Tuesday to Sunday: 11:30 AM–2:30 PM and 6:30 PM–9:30 PM; Monday: Closed
- 📍 Location – Av. Manuel Gomes de Almeida 77, 4845-067 Vila do Gerês
O Sobreiro, Rio Caldo, Terras de Bouro
O Sobreiro is located at the entrance of Gerês, on the way to Campo do Gerês, the village, and the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus. It’s a well-located spot, visited mainly by locals, and is known for being practical, good, and affordable.
During the week, they serve a daily special, which includes the main dish and a drink (for an extra €1). They also offer other traditional regional dishes, such as roast veal, posta, and veal ribeye. The food is tasty, and the meat is of good quality.
The restaurant is traditional, with a pleasant terrace and plenty of tables, although it tends to get busy during the week when locals come for the daily special. The staff are friendly and attentive, ensuring a warm welcome. On weekends, it’s best to reserve a table so you don’t miss out!
In short, O Sobreiro is a well-located restaurant with affordable prices, especially if you opt for the daily special, and also serves traditional local meat dishes. It offers excellent value for money.
- 💶 Price – €10–20 per person, depending on wine and whether you order the daily special or à la carte
- 🤝 Service – Very friendly and helpful staff
- 📅 Opening hours – Sunday to Thursday: 12:00–2:30 PM; Friday and Saturday: 12:00–2:30 PM and 7:00–9:30 PM
- 📍 Location – Av. de São Bento da Porta Aberta 145, 4845-024
O Fojo dos Lobos, Fafião, Montalegre
Fojo dos Lobos Restaurant in Fafião is the perfect spot if you plan to visit Poço Verde, Fojo do Lobo, Miradouro de Fafião, or Fecha de Barjas. Several Gerês attractions are nearby, making it a convenient stop. The restaurant also stands out for the quality of its food.
Like other restaurants in the National Park, meat is the true star. We especially recommend the grilled posta, which is excellent. We also tried the codfish with onions, which was very flavorful. Dishes come with fries or smashed potatoes and salad. They also offer a daily special featuring a fixed menu that changes daily, all at very reasonable prices.
One of the things we loved most about this restaurant was the value for money: the food is memorable and the prices are fair. The space is pleasant, with a terrace offering a lovely view, and the service is very attentive.
Right next to the restaurant, there’s also a café owned by the same person, also called Fojo dos Lobos, serving creative cocktails, snacks, and sandwiches like burgers and toasts. We didn’t try it, but everything looked excellent.
- 💶 Price – €15–25 per person, depending on wine, daily specials, and desserts
- 🤝 Service – Very friendly and helpful staff
- 📅 Opening hours – Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00–2:30 PM; Sunday: 12:00–2:30 PM; Monday: Closed
- 📍 Location – Rua da Portela do Monte 10, 5470-017 Fafião
Casa do Preto, Pitões das Júnias
Casa do Preto, in Pitões das Júnias, is one of the most well-known restaurants in the region. Besides being a restaurant, it’s also a cozy and comfortable guesthouse.
The house specialty is posta, as it should be in the Gerês region. But besides that, they also serve an excellent alheira sausage, Transmontana bean stew, and grilled codfish. And the bread is absolutely divine.
Beyond the memorable food, prices are reasonable, and the overall dining experience is warm and family-like — the kind of place where you immediately feel at home.
- 💶 Price – €15–25 per person, depending on wine and dessert
- 🤝 Service – They make you feel at home; chatty and friendly
- 📅 Opening hours – Friday and Saturday: 12:00–2:30 PM and 7:00–9:30 PM; Sunday to Wednesday: 12:00–2:45 PM; Thursday: Closed
- 📍 Location – Largo Salgueiro 3, 5470-370 Pitões das Júnias
A Videira, Soajo, Arcos de Valdevez
A Videira, in Soajo, is one of our favorite restaurants in Portugal — we’ve been there several times. If you love high-quality, perfectly cooked meat, this is the place for you. The real stars here are the posta and the Cachena T-bone steak, a Portuguese native breed from the mountainous regions of Minho and Trás-os-Montes.
The meat is served with grilled vegetables, which are spectacular and truly elevate the dish — they almost shine as much as the meat itself, something rare in most Gerês restaurants. The starters are also excellent: the rustic bread is delicious, and you can choose from alheira sausage or petisca fritters, both great options. For dessert, if you like sweet egg-based desserts, we recommend the orange slices with egg rolls or the honey cake.
It’s a traditional restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere, medium size, and a terrace that’s perfect in summer. The owner is lovely — kind, attentive, and always up for a chat. We strongly recommend booking ahead for weekends.
- 💶 Price – €25–35 per person, depending on wine (includes drink, main course, and dessert)
- 🤝 Service – Extremely friendly and talkative owner
- 📅 Opening hours – Monday to Sunday: 12:00–3:00 PM and 6:30–8:30 PM; Tuesday: 12:00–3:00 PM; Wednesday: Closed
- 📍 Location – Av. 25 de Abril 1734, 4970-633 Soajo
Saber ao Borralho, Soajo, Arcos de Valdevez
Saber ao Borralho in Soajo is a highly sought-after restaurant — it’s often fully booked weeks in advance, but it’s absolutely worth the wait. It’s one of those places where the food isn’t just amazing — the whole experience is unforgettable.
It’s a small, cozy space with a small outdoor terrace where you can also dine during summer. The owners are genuinely kind and welcoming, paying attention to every detail and making everyone feel right at home.
The food is, without question, the highlight — traditional regional flavors made with quality ingredients and cooked with care. The house specialty is oven-roasted Cachena beef, made with rib meat, served with bean rice, roasted potatoes, and vegetables. The meat is slow-cooked from early morning, tender and melt-in-your-mouth.
The starters — bread with herb butter, pâté, cheese, and alheira sausage — are absolutely delicious. And the desserts don’t disappoint either: the bolo de discos, a traditional Gerês layered cake, or the fig cheesecake are both perfect endings.
Note that the oven-roasted Cachena is only served for lunch on weekends, or during the week by reservation. However, there are other options, such as grilled Cachena, mixed grill, or even grilled salmon, though the meat is undoubtedly the star.
In winter, the restaurant becomes even more charming, with a cozy atmosphere and a fireplace always burning. The only downside? It’s almost impossible to get a table without booking in advance!
- 💶 Price – €25–30 per person, depending on wine (includes drink, main course, and dessert)
- 🤝 Service – Very friendly, make you feel welcome
- 📅 Opening hours – Wednesday to Friday: 12:00–2:30 PM; Saturday and Sunday: 12:00–3:30 PM
- 📍 Location – Av. 25 de Abril, Caminho da Costa Velha, 4970-656 Soajo
Café Restaurante Mó, Parada, Ponte da Barca
Café Restaurante Mó is a traditional local tavern with a warm, family-style atmosphere, located near the village of Lindoso. The house specialties are roast goat, beef posta, and codfish.
When we visited, we tried the roast goat, and it was absolutely delicious — the meat came in small, tender pieces, perfectly seasoned and juicy. It’s served with rice and oven-roasted potatoes, making for a hearty and comforting meal. This dish alone makes the restaurant worth a visit.
We didn’t get to try the codfish or posta, but they looked fantastic. Besides these, there are other options on the menu. The starters are simple — bread and olives — but the desserts really stand out. The bolo de discos, a traditional Gerês almond and cinnamon cake filled with egg cream, is simply divine.
The portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the food quality is excellent. The place is simple but pleasant, and the service is fast and friendly. The restaurant is small but has a nice outdoor terrace, perfect for sunny days. We recommend booking in advance on weekends or during August.
- 💶 Price – €25–35 per person, depending on wine (includes drink and main dish)
- 🤝 Service – Friendly, family-style service
- 📅 Opening hours – Not available
- 📍 Location – Parada, 4980-453 Parada
Ponte Nova, Cabril, Montealegre
Restaurante Ponte Nova, in Cabril, sits next to a lovely bridge over the Cávado River. From the terrace, you can enjoy beautiful views of the river and surrounding landscape, making it a peaceful and picturesque spot.
This traditional restaurant is conveniently located on the way to Xertelo Lagoons, Ponte da Misarela, and Cela Cavalos Waterfall. It serves a daily dish until it sells out — a good-value lunch option — but also offers an à la carte menu.
When we visited, we tried a grilled steak (a bit overcooked) and a Montalegre alheira sausage, both served with homemade fries and rice. For dessert, we shared a moist and flavorful walnut cake. The food was good, though not outstanding.
Service was friendly and quick. We found the prices slightly high for what we had, but the real highlight here is definitely the location and terrace view. It’s a popular weekend spot, so it’s best to book ahead. Some dishes are only available by pre-order.
- 💶 Price – €20–25 per person, depending on whether you choose the daily dish
- 🤝 Service – Friendly and efficient
- 📅 Opening hours – 9:00 AM–3:00 PM and 7:00 PM–10:00 PM
- 📍 Location – R. 25 de Abril 30, 5470-013 Cabril
Taberna da Ti Ana da Eira, Outeiro, Montealegre
Taberna da Ti Ana da Eira is a beautiful restaurant with breathtaking views, located near the Paradela Dam, in a remote but truly worth-it spot — both for the food and the scenery.
Everything here is excellent, starting with the starters: rustic village-style bread, garlicky olives, perfectly cooked alheira sausage, and chicken gizzards in a delicious, well-balanced sauce.
The house specialty is beef, and we tried several cuts — posta, ribs, and ilhada (rib cap) — all served with sautéed vegetables and roasted potatoes. The meat quality is outstanding, grilled over an open flame to perfection. They really know how to make the most of every ingredient. And of course, the desserts are divine, especially the crème brûlée with pineapple.
The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome. They’re cheerful, attentive, and the service is top-notch.
This is one of those restaurants that offers the complete package: delicious food, a genuine atmosphere, and stunning views — everything you need for an unforgettable meal. The only downside is that the bathroom isn’t accessible for people with reduced mobility, but otherwise, it’s a five-star experience.
Keep in mind that the restaurant only opens on weekends, holidays, and by reservation for large groups.
- 💶 Price – €20–25 per person, depending on wine (includes drink, main dish, and dessert)
- 🤝 Service – Exceptional
- 📅 Opening hours – Saturday: 12:00–10:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00–4:00 PM; Closed on other days
- 📍 Location – R. Cabeça do Castro 3, Parada do Outeiro, 5470-333
Geres Restaurants Map
If there’s one thing we can guarantee, it’s that all the restaurants on this list are worth visiting. Some, like the ones in Soajo, are reason enough to return to Gerês, while others combine great locations with delicious dishes — perfect stops between exploring waterfalls, swimming holes, and hiking trails.
In all of them, meat takes center stage, but there are also options for every taste. Our final advice is simple: go with time, appetite, and curiosity. And whenever possible, book ahead — especially on weekends. That way, your food experience in Gerês will be complete and truly memorable!
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