Restaurants

Chama

Homestyle Portuguese food. Fresh, farm-to-table.

Menu is pre-fixed and changes daily. Chef/owner is quite a character.

Very fun experience and far cheaper than it should be.

Located behind The Intercontinental Porto.

*Email to book at least two (2) weeks in advance:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189180-d19647636-Reviews-Restaurante_Chama-Porto_Porto_District_Northern_Portugal.html

Tasco

Delicious tapas restaurant with high-quality menu of fish and meat dishes. Great local wines and amazing staff. Located adjacent to The Intercontinental Porto. *Email to book at least two (2) weeks in advance: https://otasco.pt/en/#contact

The Yeatman Hotel

Located across the famous Porto bridge on the other side of the Douro River, this 5-star hotel is known for its Michelin restaurant that has the most incredible views of Porto from its rooftop. *Book weeks in advance using their website: https://www.the-yeatman-hotel.com/en/food/restaurant

MUU Steakhouse

Sophisticated Steakhouse with specialized wine menu. Also offers seafood and vegan options. https://www.muusteakhouse.com

DOP - Chef Rui Paula

Fine dining restaurant known for their upgraded take on the classic Portuguese sandwich ("Francesinha), and their Menu of the Seas seafood experience. https://www.doprestaurante.pt/en/

______________________

Casual Breakfast/Lunch/Snacks

Do Norte Cafe

Amazing cafe with full restaurant attached serving fresh, local takes on traditional brunch dishes. They also make some incredible sweet & savory pancakes - must try. Located adjacent to The Intercontinental Porto.

Majestic Cafe

Beautiful, old-world cafe that will transport you to a different time of life. A nice 5 minute stroll from The Intercontinental Porto, come here before/after seeing the beautiful tile-work and art interior of the Porto São Bento train station. Not open on Sundays**

Fabrica da Nata

Famous for the local breakfast pastry "Pasteis de Nata" - they are made fresh here every morning. Perfect sweet bite to go with the many coffee and espresso options offered here. Located at the end of the pedestrian-only street Rue das Flores, around the corner from The Intercontinental Porto.

Francesinhas Al Forno

Another restaurant offering the famous local "Francesinha" sandwich. Traditionally, it's served with meats & cheeses, but this restaurants also offers unique variations including vegetarian styles. Pair it with a local beer ("Super Bock") for the true Porto lunch experience. Located adjacent to The Intercontinental Porto.

Cafe O Afonso

Famous for the local "Francesinha" sandwich. Even Anthony Bourdain ate here during his visit. Only open during select hours - do your research before making the trek. About a 10 minute walk from The Intercontinental Porto.

Gazela

Iconic, buzzing, no-frills snack bar known for unique hot dogs & classic Portuguese sandwiches.

Bugo Art Burgers

"The Port e Serra Burger" is beef soaked in Port wine and topped Serra de Estrela cheese.

"The Cod Burger" transforms bacalhau into a patty served with classic açord (bread purée and coriander).

______________________

Sightseeing

You can easily see all of the sites of Porto within a weekend. Conveniently, almost everything is walking distance from The Intercontinental Porto so a car is not necessary (unless mobility is an issue).

Clerigos Tower

Famous medieval gothic church that is perched up as the tallest structure over Porto. Buy your tickets in advance online (you can also do it there if you don't mind waiting). The church inside is absolutely stunning and you can walk the entire outer perimeter. If you continue to the top, you will ascend the very narrow steps that will give your calves a workout. Avoid if claustrophobic. At the top is unobstructed 360-degree views of Porto that you cannot see elsewhere. A must-see. Go early in the morning to avoid lines.

Livraria Lello

Famous small bookstore located around the corner from the Clerigos Tower that inspired J.K. Rowling to write Harry Potter. Jaw-dropping stained glass ceiling and a wooden staircase that feels like a movie stage. Buy your tickets in advance online and the entrance fee can be applied to any book purchase. Lines form here throughout the day so visit when it opens at 9:30am to save yourself lots of standing and waiting. A must-see.

Porto São Bento

Local train station that has the most beautiful Portuguese artwork and hand painted tires inside the waiting area. Free and only takes a few minutes. You'll also find these type of blue hand-painted murals on the adjacent church outside of the train station, as well as the church just past the Livraria Lello bookstore.

Porto Cathedral

Up the hill from Porto São Bento train station is the famous Cathedral. The architecture and cloisters are not to be missed. On backside of the Cathedral you'll find amazing overhead views of the Duoro River and nearby Porto rooftops.

Palacio da Bolsa

Classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this is a gorgeous palace that requires a guide. Guides are in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Check the website for tour availability ($20 for 30 minutes).

Centro Comercial de Cedofeita

Local Portuguese market offering more than 100 vendors and shops.

Skytram over Gaia

Take a tram car from the top of the Porto bridge (Gaia side) to the local restaurants and shops to see amazing views of Porto while skipping the tourist-filled streets leading to the bridge.

______________________

Port Tasting

Porto is known for their Port wines, and you can have a proper tasting of these sweet wines on the other side of the Douro River (known as Gaia) at many wine cellars. The famous ones are Caves Burmester, Sanderman, Graham's Porto Lodge and Vinum. All are located close-by to each other.

______________________

Nightlife

All nightlife can be found in the adjacent streets of the famous Clerigos Tower, which is right around the corner from the Intercontinental Hotel. Almost every bar is next door to one another so just hop around in this immediate area.

BARS

Royal Cocktail Club - great for an after-dinner drink. Mixologists make upscale cocktails. It's a sit-down and chat vibe.

HD Bar to be Wild - stands for Harley Davidson Bar. That should tell you everything.

RUA Tapas & Music Bar - bar with live music

Bar Baxia - Cocktails. Try the Cosmo Porto

Book House - bar in a bookshop. Unique.

Galeria De Paris - French bar. C'est bon!

17 Degrees Bar - Rooftop drinks overlooking Porto

CLUBS

Hot Five Jazz and Blues - Hot Five is Port’s best and oldest live music club which hosts the best jazz, soul, and tribute band music in the city. Professional cocktail artists provide a unique and personalized drink service experience.

Industrias Club - Open weekends from midnight to 6 am, spinning electronic music’s hottest tracks for 27 years now! Well-known international EDM DJs have graced the Industrias Club stage.

Tendinha Dos Clerigos - The underground punk and rock scene found here to provide one of the most authentic rock experiences with its top-notch DJs and its woody aesthetic.

HARD Club - Live music venue. Always a hit amongst locals.

______________________

Other Useful Guides

Essential Portugal: 16 Must-See Spots

https://www.forbes.com/sites/annabel/2021/03/05/essential-portugal-16-must-see-spots-when-we-can-travel-again/?sh=361342364f56

What to Buy in Portugal: 20 Authentic Portugal Souvenirs

https://wander-lush.org/best-portugal-souvenirs/

What to do on a party weekend in Porto

https://portoalities.com/en/party-weekend-porto/

M&P