12 Best Restaurants in Coimbra, Coimbra and Central Portugal

In the former stables of Quinta das Lagrimas, this well-regarded restaurant has two dining rooms, one of which opens onto immaculate gardens with fruit trees and herb gardens that provide ingredients for the meal to come. Created by star chef Vitor Dias, dishes are immaculately presented and full of powerful and unusual flavors. Fine Portuguese wines accompany each course, as do complimentary amuse-bouches. A children's menu with simpler options, like pizza, keeps younger diners happy while the grown-ups relish the refined dishes of the tasting menu.

Until its conversion in 1923, Café Santa Cruz was an auxiliary chapel for the monastery. Now its high-vaulted Manueline ceiling and stained-glass windows make it an ideal spot to enjoy your morning cup of coffee or a leisurely lunch with a glass of wine. Despite all the grandeur, prices are extremely reasonable. 

Everything from set three-course lunches to delicious cakes and pastries are prepared with love and served with a smile at this welcoming restaurant in the heart of Coimbra's historic center. There are plenty of tables in the cozy interior, but the tables and chairs set out on the flagstones outside are the best bet in the summer months. Prices are extremely reasonable given the prime location. 

This self-proclaimed "brownieria" is owned and run by a friendly Brazilian family that serves a range of squishy, oozing brownies finished with toppings of your own choice and accompanied by filtered coffee. Brazilian brigadeiros (traditional chocolate and condensed milk confections) are another specialty.

This tucked-away eatery serves inventive vegetarian and vegan dishes designed to make the most of fresh seasonal produce. The staff goes out of its way to explain the dishes and provide recommendations; sharing is key here, so plan on three petiscos (small plates) between two people. This is the original location, but if it's full try Fangas Maior a few doors down, which also has fish and meat options. 

With tables set on a vast veranda in the upper reaches of the city, Loggia has some of the best panoramic views in town. It's the on-site restaurant at the Machado do Castro art museum, and the setting is a work of art in itself. Leisurely brunches here are extremely popular, as are the excellent value lunch menus. Expect traditional Portuguese fare, elegantly presented. 

A bubbly, friendly atmosphere fills this quintessentially Portuguese restaurant specializing in cod and other dishes from the region. The decor is handsome, looking for all the world like a kitchen from a century ago. Bring cash, as international bank cards aren't accepted. 

This stylish bar-cum-restaurant specializes in a modern take on Portuguese tapas with dishes designed and presented to excite all the senses. The menu changes according to what is fresh in the market that day, but you can expect interesting combinations like chestnut puree topped with grilled shiitake mushrooms. Small plates like tuna ceviche or sweet-potato crisps with garlic mayonnaise are the perfect accompaniment to a glass of crisp local wine.

As you're heading past Sé Nova, take the first alley on the left to discover this tiny bohemian restaurant tucked behind a church. The Mexican fusion restaurant has a small but delicious range of hot and cold vegan empanadas, quesadillas, and massive burritos. The quirky setting, with mismatched tables and chairs and board games scattered about, is completely disarming. No international cards are accepted, so be sure to bring cash. 

Seasoned travelers often avoid restaurants near major sights, but O Trovador—just a step away from the old cathedral—proves doubters wrong. Grab a table with a view of the centuries-old architecture and enjoy generous portions of reliably good regional dishes like pork cheeks with sweet potatoes or cod with cornbread.

A roof terrace with sweeping views over Coimbra and the Cañas Valley draws crowds to this friendly restaurant on the outskirts of town. A downstairs dining room is packed with locals at lunchtime, but out-of-towners head straight up to the roof to enjoy drinks and snacks with those glorious vistas. The name means "Terrace of the King," and there's even a throne where children tend to enjoy posing for photographs. 

The chic restaurant at upscale Sapientia Boutique Hotel has an inviting stone-walled interior (Tasca das Tias Camellas) and a sunny terrace (Pátio das Tias Camellas). Both spaces are beautifully decorated, and the same attention to detail extends to the dishes, from warm tuna salads and lamb burgers to vegan quinoa bowls. The mixed platter of cheeses, smoked meats, and mini-pies is a crowd-pleasing sharing plate.