11 Best Restaurants in Northern Portugal, Portugal

O Abocanhado

$$ Fodor's choice

Worth a trip for its stunning location and prize-winning design, this restaurant is also renowned for its regional cuisine. Perched in the Serra Amarela, 12 km (7½ miles) from Terras de Bouro, the long building slots into the surrounding slate, its terrace affording panoramic views of the valley of the Rio Homem. Outstanding main dishes include tender barrosã steak. The dessert menu has family recipes as well as standards such as pudim do Abade de Priscos (egg-and-almond pudding) and ricotta with pumpkin jam.

Lugar de Brufe, Ponte de Lima, Viana do Castelo, 4840-020, Portugal
253 352 944
Known For
  • incredibly fresh ingredients from local farms
  • breathtaking mountain views
  • prizewinning architecture
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. Oct.–June, Reservations essential

Rio by Paulo André

$$ Fodor's choice

Vila do Conde native Paulo André has worked with top chefs around Portugal; he is now applying his evident talent just steps from the Rio Ave, producing eye-catching, delicious creations from the best local ingredients. Signature mains include sea bass with creamy clam-and-prawn rice, garnished with seaweed and trout roe, and the equally sophisticated bacalhau and octopus creations. In addition, you can order meat dishes such as duck magret with wild mushroom and truffle risotto, offset with tangy Azores cheese, and lamb carré with a pistachio crust and mustard and honey sauce. The desserts don't disappoint, either: try the dense Guinness cake with honeycomb, berries and salted caramel ice cream, or passion-fruit tart with saffron and dill, accompanied by pineapple sorbet. 

Praça da República 8, Vila do Conde, Porto, 4480-715, Portugal
252 602 182
Known For
  • haute cuisine at affordable prices
  • vegetarian options, plus children's set menu
  • helpful servers who can recommend wines from an extensive list
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.

Solar Bragançano

$$ Fodor's choice

In an old mansion across from the old cathedral, this family-run establishment starts you out with a complimentary aperitif in the wood-paneled reception area lined with antique bookshelves. The place is imbued with old-world elegance, from the ornate silver candlesticks to the fine crystal and lace tablecloths. The menu features house-made starters such as alheira sausage and regional dishes that include pheasant, javalí (wild boar), and cabrito assado (roast kid). For dessert, try the pudim do Abade de Baçal, a chestnut-based take on caramel pudding. Reservations are a good idea on weekends, especially in summer.

Praça de Sé 34, Bragança, Bragança, 5300-265, Portugal
273 323 875
Known For
  • leafy terrace that's perfect for summer evenings
  • game dishes cooked in cast-iron pots over open flame
  • excellent selection of regional wines
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.

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Amaranto

$$

In a residential area away from the center, this spacious, well-appointed restaurant is known for its hearty regional dishes such as cabrito assado (roasted kid), arroz de marisco (seafood rice), or bacalhau à lagareiro (fish baked with olive oil and garlic and served with tiny baked potatoes). Wash it down with some robust local wine.

Rua Acácio Lino 351, Amarante, Porto, 4600-045, Portugal
255 422 006
Known For
  • sophisticated renditions of traditional dishes
  • snack bar offers less expensive fare
  • friendly staff

Bagoeira

$$

Vendors from the town's weekly market favor this rustic restaurant with its wooden ceiling, wrought-iron chandeliers, and vases of fresh flowers. Grelhados (grilled meats and fish) are prepared in full view of hungry customers on a huge range that splutters and hisses. Other regional dishes served here include rojões (tender fried pork) and papas de sarrabulho, a stew thickened with pig's blood.

Av. Dr. Sidonio Pais 495, Barcelos, Braga, 4750–333, Portugal
253 813 088
Known For
  • restaurant seats hundreds of diners
  • grilled octopus is a specialty
  • delicious house wine

Buxa

$$

On one of the city's most scenic squares, this handsome eatery across from the Museu de Alberto Sampaio has tables in a wood-paneled dining room and beneath the arches of a cobbled courtyard. Portuguese specialties include bacalhau roasted with a cornbread crust, posta à Trás-os-montes (steak, marinated with garlic and then grilled), and prime cuts of porco preto (from the Iberian black pig).

Largo da Oliveira 23, Guimarães, Braga, 4800-438, Portugal
252 058 242
Known For
  • weekday lunch menu is an excellent value
  • excellent renditions of the region's classic dishes
  • extensive wine selection

Café Oriental

$$

On the iconic square of Largo do Toural, this venerable eatery serves tasty regional dishes—the bacalhau baked with cheese and potato slices and the breaded octopus are fantastic—at prices that won't break the bank. Wash it down with some very drinkable house wine.

Largo do Toural 11, Guimarães, Braga, 4810-427, Portugal
253 414 048
Known For
  • housed in a historic stone building
  • elegantly furnished dining room
  • excellent €12 lunch buffet
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.

Gato Preto

$$

Named for the black cat on its tiled facade, this sleek, family-run restaurant on Régua's main street, next to the Museu do Douro specializes in traditional Douro cuisine. Favorites include cabrito assado (roasted kid), which locals line up for once the tourists are gone, but there are also well-priced dishes of the day.

Av. João Franco, Peso da Régua, Vila Real, 5050-226, Portugal
254 313 367
Known For
  • bacalhau, a house specialty
  • friendly staff that's eager to help
  • fair prices for a hearty meal
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No dinner Mon.

O Cangalho

$$

This longtime favorite, overlooking a pleasant riverside garden, has walls that are adorned with old guitars, carvings of saints, ceramic birds, and vintage books—you know the kind of place. In warm weather the terrace out front is a great place to dine on some of the best seafood in town, though it is not cheap.

Rua do Cais das Lavandeiras 28, Vila do Conde, Porto, 4480-789, Portugal
252 110 898
Known For
  • if they're in season, don't miss out on the fried sardines
  • lemon meringue pie
  • friendly and helpful staff
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.

O Laranjeira

$$

You wouldn't know it from the bright, modern decor, but O Laranjeira is Viana's oldest pensão, and its restaurant serves some of the best traditional Minho cuisine around. The business is now in the hands of the third generation, who are innovating while respecting tradition and preserving the soul of the place. Any of the fresh fish dishes is a good option, but so is the roasted kid.

Rua Manuel Espregueira 24, Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, 4900-318, Portugal
258 822 258
Known For
  • great service and presentation
  • fish soup to start
  • impressive selection of regional desserts
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.

Sra. Peliteiro

$$

Overlooking the Rio Cávado, 4 km (2.5 miles) from Esposende, Sra. Peliteiro is housed in the clubhouse of a golf course, where players often stay on to enjoy the octopus, bacalhau, and hearty meat dishes produced by the eponymous chef, Paula Peliteiro. It's not just the usual regional fare: there's also a rump-steak tagine and Brazilian-style prawn moqueca, and a good range of desserts, both traditional and modern.

Rua de N. Sra. da Guadalupe, Esposende, Braga, 4740-493, Portugal
936 438 384
Known For
  • green, riverside setting
  • choice of traditional and more unusual dishes
  • brownies and pumpkin-and-walnut cheesecake