16 Best Restaurants in Baixa and Ribeira, Porto

With a cavernous interior, lovely blue and yellow azulejo tiles, and formal staff, this upscale tasca has been a local favorite since 1939. It serves vast portions of typical Portuguese dishes such as cabrito assado (roast kid) and bacalhau à Gomes Sá (codfish with onions, potato, egg, and olives). Most main dishes easily serve two, but leave room for something from the ever-changing but dependably good dessert menu.

Make reservations well in advance, as walk-ins often find themselves out of luck at this industrial-chic spot serving inventive renderings of local classics. Its signature dish is a whole grilled octopus easily big enough for two to share, but there are also delicious small sharing plates like quail egg croquettes and tuna tataki.

Portugal's most celebrated contemporary chef, José Avillez has made a splash on the Porto culinary scene with Cantinho do Avillez, a homey yet modern dining room located just downhill from São Bento Train Station. Expect moments of molecular gastronomy such as "exploding olives" that burst with flavor on your tongue alongside glammed-up versions of local favorites like steak sandwiches, served here with garlic sauce and fleur de sel.

Without a doubt, one of the most heavenly—and budget-friendly—mouthfuls in Porto is the roast-pork-and-sheep’s-milk-cheese slider from Casa Guedes. Served on a warm country roll and oozing with pungent Serra da Estrela cheese, it's no wonder there are always lines out the door at this unapologetically simple local favorite. Casa Guedes now has three branches in Porto, including a trendy rooftop, but the "traditional" branch remains the most inviting.  

Nationally renowned chef Rui Paula, a native of Porto, brings his culinary wizardry to traditional dishes like caldeirada de bacalhau (Portuguese cod fish stew). The dining room is bright and welcoming, providing a relaxed setting for dishes that are always works of art. The wine list is extensive, and the staff is always ready to suggest pairings.

Part fashion-and-furnishings store, part coffee shop, and part bar, Good Things Will Happen Soon is a mood-boosting space for a drink and a bite to eat on the hidden terrace after browsing the carefully curated displays. The coffee and cakes are delicious, as are the cocktails. A chef is on hand to create full meals at lunchtime on Friday, and DJs spin tunes on Saturday nights. 

Full of art nouveau grandeur—think leaded-glass doorways, elaborately carved woodwork, and ornate chandeliers—the Majestic Café has been the preferred hangout of Portugal's intellectual and social elite since the 1920s. After years of neglect, it was restored to its former glory and is once again an elegant place for coffee, cakes, and evening piano music.

Founded in 1933, this "musicians' café" exudes an old-world charm. The afternoon tea is famous, and if you're lucky you might happen upon a poetry reading or a live concert (often fado music).

Sharing a half dozen or so petiscos (Portugal's version of tapas) is an increasingly popular way to dine in Porto, and there's no better place to sample a wide array of small plates than at Caldeireiros. With long, candlelit tables adding to the communal feel, the restaurant has earned a reputation among a hip young crowd that passes around plates of prawns, bolinhos de bacalhau, and other local favorites.

In business for more than a century, the attractively restored Confeitaria do Bolhão is one of the oldest bakeries in town. There's a vast range of breads, pastries, and other local treats, including the featherlight pão-de-ló sponge cake.

Porto has a growing number of restaurants focusing on vegetarian dishes, and one of the places leading the charge for sustainable meat-free cooking is Época Porto. It's a small, light-filled space serving breakfasts, lunches, and brunches made entirely with organic produce---think barley bowls with mushrooms, goat cheese, and caramelized onion---and there's a range of natural wines and craft beers to accompany your meal.

Opened in 2019 next to Porto's romantic Jardins do Palácio De Cristal, KUG raised the bar for al-fresco dining in the city. Diners can choose to book a table in the leafy gardens, inside a leafy pergola, or on a fragrant deck filled with camellia flowers. With a menu signed by renowned Porto chef Rui Paula, the food is no second thought: think light meals like tuna and kimchi tacos, beef tartare, and a burger made with lobster and Japanese cucumber salad. The list of cocktails, wines, and craft beers is impressive too. 

A simple front entrance hides a spacious, flower-filled terrace out back at this detail-driven café in trendy Cedofeita. The owners pride themselves on preparing nutritious meals that don't compromise on taste or presentation, so expect your brunch to feature, for example, perfectly poached free range eggs on homemade sourdough bread. Juices are prepared with the freshest seasonal fruits, and cakes are made without added sugars (one of the owners is a former dentist). There's a huge range of teas and coffees, along with sparkling wines and cocktails for those wanting to indulge. 

The Foz neighborhood, at the mouth of the Douro, is a favorite place for well-heeled locals to see and be seen, and this smart two-story seafood-focused restaurant has become a neighborhood standby. It's particularly hard to resist the sauteéd tiger prawns, black spaghetti with lobster, and top-grade sushi. The space itself is as elegant and well-presented as the food and stylish clientele. 

A passion project for natural wine enthusiasts Tiago Feio and Cátia Roldão (the restaurant name comes from the first and last parts of their names), Tia Tia pairs beautifully presented sharing plates with excellent vinhos. The hands-on pair run the kitchen and restaurant, preparing every seasonal dish with great care. There's no meat on the menu, but there are some wonderfully light fish dishes, including a signature seared carapau (horse mackerel). Expect relaxed breakfasts and brunch from Tuesday to Friday, with more elaborate tasting menus on weekend evenings. Book in advance, and ask for a seat on the terrace when weather allows.