Choosing a restaurant can sometimes be an intimidating task, especially when you have something specific in mind that you want to try. To help you make that choice, we’ve prepared a list of restaurants that serve traditional Porto and Portuguese cuisine.
As locals from Porto, we’ve tried many restaurants in the city, and there are a few that deserve special mention, either for their unmissable specialties or for being excellent overall.
We’ve tried to include a variety of options in this list, ranging from the most affordable to the more expensive, from quick bites and daily specials to places serving iconic dishes in Porto. There’s a bit of everything, with a special focus on traditional Portuguese cuisine, including dishes from Porto.
In addition to this selection, we also have other articles with more specific recommendations, such as:
- Where to Eat Francesinha in Porto
- Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Porto
- Where to Have Brunch in Porto
- Where to Eat Pastéis de Nata in Porto
We’ve gathered options spread across different areas of the city so you can choose based on your location. At the end of the article, you’ll also find a map with all the places mentioned, making the experience more practical!
Disclaimer
We received no financial incentives or sponsorships — these are restaurants we genuinely like and have visited ourselves.
10 Traditional Portuguese Restaurants in Porto We Love
Abadia
Abadia, located in the center of Porto near Avenida dos Aliados, serves classics of Porto and Portuguese cuisine, such as roasted codfish, “tripas à moda do Porto” (Porto-style tripe), and oven-roasted kid goat. The restaurant feels like a medieval tavern — rustic yet classy. The service is five-star and makes you feel like a true VIP.
It offers a diverse selection of traditional dishes, including both meat and fish, as well as several desserts. There is no daily special. The food is flavorful and of high quality. The vegetarian option available is vegetable Brás. The wine list is quite extensive, although prices are slightly high.
The space is spacious, spread over several floors, with décor inspired by a medieval tavern and good lighting. It is wheelchair accessible.
The staff are very friendly and attentive, making customers feel welcome. On our last visit, we arrived pretty late due to a medical appointment, but we were still warmly welcomed and the staff patiently understood our situation.
Reservations are accepted. It is a higher-end restaurant compared to others on this list, but the quality-to-price ratio and service fully justify the choice.
- 💰 Price – €25 to €35 per person, depending on the wine (includes drink and main course)
- 🤝 Service – Very friendly and attentive, VIP treatment
- ⏰ Hours – Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Closed on Sunday | Monday: 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
- 📍 Location – R. do Ateneu Comercial do Porto 22, 4000-380 Porto
O Antunes
O Antunes is a restaurant located in the center of Porto, near the Trindade metro station. It is known for its traditional Portuguese cuisine, with roasted pork knuckle being the house specialty.
The pork knuckle is simply delicious — the meat falls apart in your mouth, the skin is crispy, all coated in a divine and well-seasoned sauce. It is served with roasted potatoes, rice, and “esparregado” (a creamy spinach dish), which pair perfectly as sides.
Besides the pork knuckle, O Antunes offers other typical dishes such as “tripas à moda do Porto” (Porto-style tripe), veal trotters, codfish with onions, and several grilled fish options. The starters are also worth trying, especially the fried cornbread (“broa frita”), which is excellent. For dessert, don’t miss the “rabanadas” — they’re truly irresistible.
The restaurant blends modern elements with traditional touches. The space is medium-sized but tends to fill up quickly, so reservations are advisable, even during the week.
The food is of excellent quality and offers superb value for money, especially since portions are generous, often enough for two or three people. There is no daily menu.
- 💰 Price – €15 to €25 per person, depending on the wine (includes drink and main course)
- 🤝 Service – Very friendly and attentive
- ⏰ Hours – Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Closed on Sunday and Monday
- 📍 Location – R. do Bonjardim 614, 4000-124 Porto
Loureiro
Loureiro restaurant is located on Estrada da Circunvalação, approximately 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from São João Hospital. This is a small, traditional restaurant serving typical Porto cuisine, with “tripas à moda do Porto” being one of its specialties. If you want to try this iconic city dish, this is one of the ideal places.
Besides the tripe, which is hearty and well-prepared, you’ll also find duck rice, cod with cornbread and turnip greens, and pork cheeks. Please note that not all dishes are available every day. Tripas are served at lunchtime on Thursdays and Sundays, while veal is available only on Sundays. There are half-portion and full-portion options, both of which are generous.
The only drawback is the small size of the restaurant, which fills up quickly. For that reason, we recommend booking in advance and checking beforehand the day your desired dish is served. The staff are friendly and attentive.
- 💰 Price – €15 to €25 per person, depending on the wine (includes drink and main course)
- 🤝 Service – Friendly and attentive
- ⏰ Hours – Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM | Closed on Monday
- 📍 Location – R. do Monte dos Burgos 1112, 4250-314 Porto
Conga
Conga is a snack-bar restaurant famous for its “bifanas” (pork sandwiches), considered by many to be the best in Porto. However, beyond bifanas, it is a very versatile place, offering quick and affordable food.
It’s an excellent spot for dishes like “papas de sarrabulho” (a traditional pork and blood porridge), “caldo verde” (green soup), “pica-pau” (small pieces of beef in sauce), or even a burger. It’s the perfect place for a snack or sandwich, but the bifanas are a must-try — small yet bursting with flavor.
The restaurant is quite spacious, with multiple floors and numerous tables. Still, being a popular spot in Porto and frequented by both tourists and locals, it’s almost always busy. Reservations are not possible, so you’ll likely have to wait in line to get in. Our advice is to avoid peak hours — arrive early, around noon, or later, around 3 PM.
It’s located right in the heart of Porto, near Avenida dos Aliados. The staff are friendly — they usually don’t have much time for long chats, but the service is efficient and cordial.
- 💰 Price – €5 to €15 per person, depending on the wine (includes drink and main course)
- 🤝 Service – Good service
- ⏰ Hours – Tuesday to Saturday: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM | Monday: 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM | Closed on Sunday
- 📍 Location – R. do Bonjardim 318, 4000-115 Porto
Pedro dos Frangos
Pedro dos Frangos is a traditional and affordable restaurant located in the center of Porto, near Avenida dos Aliados. The house specialty is rotisserie chicken, which we highly recommend. The chicken is juicy, slightly crispy, never burnt, and comes with a spicy sauce if desired. It is served with French fries and a well-seasoned salad. Everything is simply comfort food.
In addition to chicken, they offer daily specials that vary depending on the day of the week, as well as some traditional specialties from Porto and the north of Portugal, such as “tripas à moda do Porto” and “feijoada” (bean stew). Prices are very reasonable, ranging from €9 to €15 per person. If the daily special doesn’t appeal to you, there are also various à la carte meat and fish options.
The restaurant is spacious, featuring several floors and a tavern-style atmosphere, complete with counter service. Still, it tends to fill up, so reserving a table is advisable.
- 💰 Price – €9 to €15 per person, depending on the wine (includes drink and main course)
- 🤝 Service – Friendly and attentive
- ⏰ Hours – Tuesday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Closed on Tuesday
- 📍 Location – R. do Bonjardim 223 312, 4000-124 Porto
Caetano
Caetano is a restaurant specializing in steak and “posta” (thick-cut beef) from Arouca, located near Estádio do Dragão. It’s the perfect place for those looking for excellent-quality steak. Both the steak and the “posta” are among the best you can find, rivaling the top restaurants in Arouca and Gerês.
If steak is not your preference, the restaurant also offers other traditional dishes, such as codfish, oven-roasted kid goat, and “tripas à moda do Porto.”
However, in our opinion, it would be a shame not to try the steak or “posta.” The steak is pan-fried and served with a rich, meaty sauce, while the “posta” is grilled and accompanied by smashed potatoes, turnip greens, and rice. Both dishes are exceptional in quality and very well prepared.
The restaurant does not have a daily menu, but portions are generous — one portion can serve two people. The starters are equally tasty, and for dessert, we tried the “Caetano tart,” which was delicious.
The space is spacious and modern, but tends to fill up, so we recommend making a reservation, especially on weekends. The service was good, friendly, and cordial, and the atmosphere was pleasant.
- 💰 Price – €25 to €40 per person, depending on the wine (includes drink and main course)
- 🤝 Service – Friendly and attentive
- ⏰ Hours – Monday to Sunday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- 📍 Location – Av. de Fernão de Magalhães 1194, 4350-156 Porto.
Cana Verde
Cana Verde is an affordable traditional Portuguese restaurant in the center of Porto, near the Clérigos Tower. It’s a small, tavern-style place that serves a daily special, which changes depending on the day. The prices are fantastic for the quality of food they serve.
We enjoy eating grilled fish there — it’s fresh and very well cooked — but other dishes are also delicious, such as duck rice. The salad is also excellent, very well seasoned. Overall, the food is delicious.
Although the restaurant is small, it’s very cozy, with a traditional tavern atmosphere. The people are warm, cheerful, and genuinely local to Porto. Reservations are not possible, so we recommend arriving early, around noon.
We believe it is one of the best value-for-money restaurants in Porto, which is why we love going there.
- 💰 Price – €10 to €15 per person, depending on the wine (includes drink and main course)
- 🤝 Service – Very friendly and warm
- ⏰ Hours – Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM | Friday: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM | Saturday and Sunday closed
- 📍 Location – Rua dos Caldeireiros 121, 4050-140 Porto
Casa Bragança
Casa Bragança is in the same style as Cana Verde — an excellent local restaurant serving great daily dishes at very reasonable prices for the center of such a tourist-heavy city as Porto.
The menu changes daily, with no fixed dishes for specific days, but they usually serve “cozido à portuguesa” (Portuguese stew) on Saturdays. We tried “tripas à moda do Porto,” “rojões” (pork cubes), and a “patanisca” (cod fritter) — simple, generously served dishes with that homemade flavor we love.
Located on Rua Arquiteto Nicolau Nasoni, near the Clérigos, the space is small and does not accept reservations, so it’s advisable to arrive early to secure a seat. The service was friendly and efficient, ideal for those who want a traditional meal without complications.
- 💰 Price – €10 to €20 per person, depending on the dish chosen (includes drink and main course)
- 🤝 Service – Friendly and efficient
- ⏰ Hours – Monday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM | Closed on Sunday
- 📍 Location – R. do Arquitecto Nicolau Nasoni 16, 4050-423 Porto
Cufra
Cufra is renowned as an excellent seafood restaurant, serving high-quality shellfish, but it also stands out as an exceptionally versatile spot, offering great grilled fish and even quality francesinhas. It’s a place that can satisfy different tastes and preferences, making it an excellent choice for groups that can’t decide between fish, meat, or a francesinha!
Here, you’ll find everything from crab and seafood rice to grilled fish and francesinhas. In fact, we consider Cufra’s francesinha to be one of the best in Porto. We recommend ordering whatever you feel like — generally, all dishes are well-prepared and maintain a consistently high level of quality.
Cufra is located on Avenida da Boavista, relatively close to Parque da Cidade. It’s a spacious restaurant with a nearby parking lot, which is a plus. We recommend reserving a table, especially on weekends. The staff are cordial and professional.
- 💰 Price – €20 to €40 per person, depending on whether you choose seafood (includes drink and main course)
- 🤝 Service – Attentive
- ⏰ Hours – Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Friday and Saturday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Closed on Monday
- 📍 Location – Av. da Boavista 2504, 4100-119 Porto
Taberna Santo António
Taberna Santo António is a traditional Portuguese restaurant situated in the heart of Porto, near Passeio das Virtudes. The atmosphere is cozy and straightforward, with the authentic tavern spirit where Portuguese food is homemade, uncomplicated, and delicious — flavors that remind you of home cooking. It’s an affordable choice with typical Porto hospitality: attentive, cheerful staff who speak plainly and honestly.
The space is small and also has an outdoor terrace. Reservations are not accepted, and there’s almost always a queue, even during the week. We recommend arriving early and being prepared to wait a bit for a table.
The menu changes daily and includes a daily special, but there are also staple dishes worth trying, such as the iconic “tripas à moda do Porto.” It’s worth starting with the “rissóis” (cod turnovers) and codfish fritters, which are excellent.
During our visit, we tried the baked cod with mashed potatoes and small fried sardines (“petingas”) accompanied by tomato rice. Both dishes were delicious, showcasing genuine flavors that accurately represent Portuguese gastronomy. For dessert, we couldn’t resist the crème brûlée — divine, with a crunchy caramelized sugar crust.
It’s the ideal restaurant for those seeking quality Portuguese food at fair prices.
- 💰 Price – €20 to €30 per person (includes drink, main course, and dessert)
- 🤝 Service – Very friendly, cheerful, and family-like atmosphere
- ⏰ Hours – Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Sunday: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Closed on Monday
- 📍 Location – R. das Virtudes 32, 4050-630 Porto
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an affordable meal with a daily special and want to experience the true taste of Portuguese cuisine, we recommend the following restaurants:
- Cana Verde is ideal for grilled fish.
- Pedro dos Frangos is known for its rotisserie chicken.
- Casa Bragança and Taberna Santo António, for traditional Porto dishes such as “tripas à moda do Porto.”
If you prefer to snack or enjoy a good sandwich, we suggest:
- O Conga, whose specialty is the bifana.
- Cufra is famous for its francesinha but also offers other dishes.
For a higher-quality Porto gastronomic experience, we highlight:
- Caetano, specializing in steak and “posta arouquesa.”
- Abadia, with a standout codfish dish.
- O Antunes is known for its pork knuckle.
- Loureiro, ideal for tasting “tripas à moda do Porto.”
Map of the best traditional Portuguese restaurants in Porto
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