Tastiest plates of food in Porto

Pasteis de nata

When I heard my friends ( Mal and Lynell ) were planning to get married at a place near Porto, a city in Portugal, I was quite happy for a number of reasons. Firstly, this was going to be my first ever trip to Portugal with my interest being really peaked after seeing Anthony Bourdain’s  ‘Parts Unknown’ TV series about the amazing food he had in Porto , Second  reason was my quest for finding the tastiest plates of food in Porto ( I loved some of the dishes I tasted in some London  Portuguese restaurants ) and last but not the least was the joy that comes from watching two people say those beautiful words.

Now l’m back from Porto and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I had some of the tastiest plates of food in Porto. This blog post will focus on where to find them. Before I kick off however I might have to apologise to a few Portuguese friends due to professing my love for Spanish food over Portuguese food on Social media. Don’t think I will be making that faux pas again.

Comments from Portuguese friends about Spanish food

Without further ado let me tell you about some of the tastiest plates of food in Porto and the places I went to find them.

Tastiest Plates of food in Porto and where to find them

Pasteis De Nata / Custart tarts

Manteigaria – Fabrica De Pasteis De Nata

The tastiest custard tarts can be found at Manteigaria Bakery , right next to famous Mercado do Bolhao market under renovation.  We had ours with a glass of port at 11am and for €6 you can get 6 of these little bits of heaven ( costs £4 in some London restaurants , so make sure you feast on them while you have the chance ) . I found out about this place whilst searching for places to dine out in Porto on a Culture trip blog post.

Manteigaria Bakery
Tastiest plates of food in Porto ; Pasteis de nata at Manteigaria Bakery on 24 R.de Alexandre Braga

 

Burmeister 10 years Tawny Port paired with Pasteis de nata
Burmeister 10 years Tawny Port paired with Pasteis de nata

 

Pasteis de nata for breakfast
Pasteis de nata for breakfast

Natas D’Ouro

They have traditional Pasteis de nata and have also managed to jazz things up a fair bit by flavouring some with Port. Why have it separate when you can have 2 in 1. These were yumm.

Natas D'Ouro cafe close to the Dom Luis bridge
Natas D’Ouro cafe close to the Dom Luis bridge

 

Natas D'ouro

Tip : Walkover to Mercado bolhaos ( market ) temporary location with your custartd tarts and pair it with with 3 glasses of Port for just 7 € .

 

Tawny , ruby and white Port experience
Tawny , ruby and white Port experience

Bacalhau a Lagareiro / Grilled Codfish with olive oil

Restaurante  Abadia do Porto 

Tastiest plate of Bacalhau have ever had was served by this restaurant . Every bite of that’s fresh grilled fish delivered loads on flavour. Bacalhau and potatoes for one costs €19 and €35 for two, so not really the cheapest plate of food, however worth every penny .

 

Tastiest plate of food in Porto : The Bacalhau a Lagareiro

They also serve a mean tripe and beans stew with various meats.

Polio a la parrilla con Patatas Fritas

Restaurante  Pedro Dos Fragos / Chicken on a spit with chips 

We walked past this restaurant near Rivoli theatre on Rua do Bonjardim street 223/312 and had to stop and take a look because of the strong smell of roast chicken drifting into the sidewalk. They had selections of whole chickens roasting on a spit and a poster on their window that says the whole chicken would only set you back €10.50. We went inside and got served some of the tastiest plates of plates of food in Porto. The chicken was crispy , tender and moerish. I had a quick look on Tripadvisor and saw many foodies love this cheap restaurant as well.

A man roasting chicken on a spit at Restaurante Pedro dos Frangos
Roast chicken on a spit at Restaurante Pedro dos Frangos

 

Roast chicken and fries on plate
This Roast chicken at has to be one of the tastiest plates of food in Porto and we know where to find it : Pedros do Frango

 

A whole Roast chicken and Fries to share and 2 beers costs €13.50
A whole Roast chicken and Fries to share and 2 beers costs €13.50

Peito de Pato, Cogollo , Bearnes , Sementes de Abobora, Cogumelo – Duck breast , ice Berg Lettuce , Bearnaise sauce , pumpkin seeds and mushrooms

Elemento

This fine dining restaurant located at Rua do Almada street grills small delicious plates of food on wood fires in an open kitchen. This was exactly what the doctor ordered as we were soaked with a down pour  of biblical proportions.  Get a counter seat by the flames and order from their A la Carte or tasting menu. You wouldn’t regret it.

 

Perfect Duck breast cooked on wood fire
Perfect Duck breast cooked on wood fire packed tons of flavour. Get a glass of red wine with this lovely dish.

Manga Assada , Canela  Fria e Choloate | Roasted Mango , Cold cinnamon and Chocolate

Roasted mango , cold cinnamon and chocolate was my favourite dessert of the trip. We paired this with a Dona Antoina white port.
Roasted mango , cold cinnamon and chocolate was my favourite dessert of the trip. We paired this with a Dona Antoina white port. This dessert was definitely one of the tastiest plates of food in Porto

Polvo a la Lagareiro / Grilled Octopus

Restaurante Rito – Cozinha Regional 

I booked this small local restaurants for an evening dinner out with work friends and I have to say that everyone loved it. Al and I got the tastiest plate of Octopus you will find anywhere and all for €18.50. I also tried out Maireads massive prawns and enjoyed . I wish I had enough space to try out their Bacalhau. You might need to get an uber from the centre, however you will be looking at less than €5 for the ride so no problem at all.

Grilled prawns

 

Polvo a Lagareiro was soft Slightly oil and melted in the mouth with every bite. This dish deserves es the accolade of one of the tastiest plates of food in Porto.
Polvo a Lagareiro was soft Slightly oil and melted in the mouth with every bite. This dish deserves es the accolade of one of the tastiest plates of food in Porto.

Francesinha / Portuguese steak sandwich

Dona Porto

We went to this restaurant located at Campo dos Martires da Patricia 64 street, based on Cristina’s recommendation.

 

Walking to Dona Porto

We had a vegan in our midst and she had to find a place that catered for Sue’s new diet. On getting to the Dona Porto, Elisha and I ordered a Francesinha to share. After a few bites of this steak and pork sandwich swimming in cheese and beer gravy I struggled to share because this was the best sandwich have ever tasted . Elisha asked for more of the cheesy gravy, I covered the spoon with my table cloth and kindly gave her some using my fork. I thought I got away with it until Mairead with her 360 vision pointed out she saw what I was up to. You just can’t get away with certain things when Elisha’s lobster crews around.

Portuguese steak and pork sandwich swimming in cheese and beer gravy sauce
This Francesinha has to be one of the tastiest plate of food in Porto . The gravy was heavenly.

 

Attempt at stopping my picture taking process .
Attempt at stopping my picture taking process .

 

Steak and sausage sandwich cut in the middle
Steak and sausage sandwich heaven

 

Finally find a Portuguese wedding with two lovely couples and eat until your heart beats to staying alive 

 

Seafood on a flame grill
Seafood on a flame grill

 

Some of the tastiest salmon around. I had 3 of these. Don't judge me.
Some of the tastiest salmon around. I had 3 of these. Don’t judge me.

 

Juicy prawns and squid

 

Steak and chorizo

There goes my blog post about  tastiest plates of food in Porto and where to find them. Be it a cafe , local restaurant ,cheap ports at a market ,  a fine dining place or a wedding, Porto delivered in the foodie department.

I’m now going to end my Porto foodie adventure with the most important picture. Yep, she finally got married in the words of her niece.

Mals and Lynell

 

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