Bonfim neighborhood, in Porto, was considered one of the coolest neighborhoods in Europe by The Guardian. No wonder: this charming neighborhood is yet to be ruined by tourism and it elegantly combines elder Portuguese residents with art students and loads of hipsters.
I am very happy to write this article because I am a bonfinense – my family has been living here for the past 50 years, and so do I.
And this is also the reason why I decided to create a private tour in Bonfim, called the Off the Beaten path private tour of Porto. It’s a completely out of the box tour, away from the touristy area, and with some very interesting things you would never discover on your own. Plus, Bonfim is a very flat area (unlike the rest of Porto), which makes this tour perfect for people with mobility issues.
If you’re interested on this tour, send me a message to sara@portoalities.com 🙂
Enough said. Let’s talk about the Bonfim neighborhood!
No time to read a long article? Here’s a summary:
- Best things to do: check the Fontainhas viewpoint, visit the cemetery of Prado do Repouso and the Military museum. Oh, and take our Off the Beaten path private tour of Porto, as it is focused 100% on the Bonfim neighborhood 🙂
- Best restaurants: Rogério do Redondo, Euskalduna Studio and Atrevo.
- Best cafés and bars: von&vonnie (for coffee), Terraplana and Fiasco (for cocktails).
Why stay in the Bonfim neighborhood in Porto?
I am assuming that after reading this article a lot of you will want to stay in Bonfim neighborhood, and quite rightfully so. After all, it is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Porto (I really recommend you to read that article, as it is a very comprehensive guide of the best areas to stay in Porto, and the pros and cons of staying at each one of them).
It is a neighborhood with an interesting blend of tourists (given its proximity to downtown Porto), art students (as it is where the Faculty of Beaux Arts is located) and hipsters.
It still has a lot of traditional stores, mixed up with specialty coffee shops, craft beer pubs and new concept stores.
What is the catch of staying in Bonfim neighborhood?
Well, the truth is… in my opinion, and I’ve been living here for 6 years now, it’s becoming more and more touristy, more and more noisy, and more and more expensive =( it still feels very authentic but less and less so as days go by. But maybe this is my nostalgic, local view of someone living in the area and struggling with its transformations. It’s a beautiful area though, and indeed one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Porto for sure.
What to do in the Bonfim neighborhood
Visit the Cemetery of Prado do Repouso
Prado do Repouso was the first public cemetery built in Porto, in 1839. As people were quite suspicious of being buried in a public space, the city hall invested quite a lot of money into building a beautiful boulevard inside the cemetery, and to bring the remainings of prestigious citizens. Sounds gruesome but it is true, and it worked!
This cemetery is beautiful and you can easily spend an hour there admiring the graveyards.
Visit the church Igreja Matriz do Bonfim
This church is not included on the list of the best churches in the city but it doesn’t mean it is not worth the visit, particularly because it is completely out of the touristic radar of Downtown Porto.
In order to get there you will go across one of the surviving traditional streets in Porto, Rua do Bonfim, where you’ll find my favourite macrobiotic restaurant (Suribachi).
Enjoy the view at the Fontaínhas Viewpoint
There is not a single soul in Bonfim that doesn’t love Fontaínhas, one of the best viewpoints in Porto. After all, this is one of the prime locations to watch the fireworks during the São João festival, the most important festivity of the year.
However, it gets really packed during that specific night, so I recommend you to go there during the week before – it is much more relaxed and you can eat grilled sardines and pork belly while enjoying the view of the Douro river.
Enjoy the best cocktails in town at Fiasco
For a dose of Bonfim’s effortless cool, head to Fiasco, a striking “record bar” that feels like a love letter to 1970s analog culture. Bathed in a sultry, cinematic red glow, the space is anchored by a massive double-sided velvet sofa designed for “seeing and being seen.” What makes it one of the city’s best hangouts is its four-in-one concept: it’s a high-end cocktail bar, a curated vinyl shop, a cafe, and an underground art gallery. You can sip a creative signature cocktail—like the cachaça-based Euphorbia Two Step—while browsing through crates of rare jazz and electronic records or listening to a live DJ set. It manages to feel like a neighborhood secret and a world-class design destination all at once.
Buy vintage furniture at Vintage Laranja
For lovers of Scandinavian teak and 1960s industrial design, Vintage Laranja is a Bonfim essential. Founded by designer Noia in 2006, this shop is a curated sanctuary for authentic furniture from the 50s through the 70s.
Unlike standard antique shops, Laranja feels like a high-end gallery. You’ll find expertly restored Danish sideboards, iconic “Safari” chairs, and vibrant Italian lighting. It’s the perfect spot to find a piece of history that fits a modern home, reflecting the neighborhood’s unique blend of heritage and creativity. And yes, it is expensive as fuck.
Feed your inner geek at the Military Museum
Ever since I was a little girl I remember seeing my dad watching the History Channel, devouring a staggering number of programs devoted to wars and faraway battles. I grew up surrounded by miniatures of World War II aircraft, certain that I could ask my dad any question about war history that the answer will follow promptly. That is why I think of him when writing about the Military Museum of Porto.
On the first floor there is a vast collection of miniatures of soldiers from various countries and from different historical periods, from the United States War on the various English bodies in the First World War. I also enjoyed the ground floor collections, dedicated to key moments of Portuguese military history, such as the siege of Porto (1832 – 1834) and the tumultuous attempts to establish the republic, were more inspiring – but then again I am Portuguese and, as my father, in love with military history 🙂
But what really impressed me was the weapons’ pavilion, with a section dedicated to Portugal’s role in the First World War and another one dedicated to the colonial wars fought in Africa.
In my opinion this is one of the best museums in Porto for serious history nerds like me!
Ticket to the Military Museum of Porto
- Adults: 3€
- Children [7-17] yo: 1€
- Adult > 65 yo: 1€
Local Tip: You can visit this museum for free every Sunday morning (from 10h to 12h30). Afterwards, go to Confeitaria Chicana and enjoy their fabulous croissant!
Opening Hours
- From Tuesday to Sunday, from 10h to 12h30 and then from 14h to 17h.
- Free entry every Sunday and public holidays in the morning (10h to 12h) for national visitors, or foreigners residing in Portugal.
- Closed on Mondays, 01 January, Easter Sunday, 01 May and 25 December.
Enjoy a proper cup of coffee at the Bonfim neighborhood
Bonfim has quietly become the undisputed capital of specialty coffee in Porto. You can’t walk two blocks without the scent of freshly roasted Arabica hitting you, and the “third wave” scene here is anchored by three heavy hitters:
- Combi Coffee Roasters: Housed in a converted garage, this is the neighborhood pioneer. It’s industrial, bustling, and serves what many consider the best flat white in the city. Watch them roast their own beans in the back while you sip a pour-over.
- von&vonnie: This microroastery is for the true coffee nerds. Their approach is “hedonistic” and ethical, focusing on unique origins and experimental processing. It’s a smaller, more intimate space where the focus is entirely on the craft of the bean.
- A Certain Café: Located just down the street from Combi, it’s a stunning, high-ceilinged space that operates without a traditional espresso machine. They specialize in drip-only methods (V60, batch brew) and double as a natural wine bar and art space.
Bonus Tip: If you’re looking for a quiet, local vibe, check out Mesa 325. It’s one of the oldest specialty spots in the area and is perfect for getting some work done with a proper bagel and a brew.
Relax at the Parque de Nova Sintra park in the Bonfim neighborhood
I believe I failed to mention this park on the list of the best gardens of Porto because, quite simply, people tend to forget about it. It is a pity though, as this garden has one of the best views over the Douro river. Moreover, it has this interesting collection of old fountains that were removed from other parts of the city to be placed here. It truly is a romantic and underrated place to enjoy a fabulous view with your partner 🙂
NOTE: this garden is temporarily closed for renovation!
Where to Stay in the Bonfim neighborhood
JAM Porto
JAM Porto is a modern hotel located in the Bonfim neighborhood of Porto, Portugal. It stands out “among the crowd) because it has a record library where guests can relax with a book or listen to music, something I’ve never seen anywhere else in the city. Additionally, the hotel hosts weekly events such as get-togethers, happy hours, and workshops on-site, providing you with an opportunity to socialize and unwind after work. Overall, JAM Porto is such. a COOL. PLACE. 🙂
Oca Oriental Porto Hotel
Oca Oriental Porto Hotel is one of my favorite hotels in Bonfim neighborhood. The hotel is located in a quiet area (only an 8-minute walk from Campanhã train station), and around 1.4 miles from the city centre. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, with contemporary furnishings and high-quality amenities. The hotel has a well-equipped fitness center that is open 24/7. It has a range of cardio and strength training equipment, as well as free weights and yoga mats, perfect for gym rats like me 😛 Overall, Oca Oriental Porto Hotel is a comfortable and convenient base to explore the city.
Casa Kala
One of the amazing guides of our private tours in Porto & Douro valley recently discovered Casa Kala, and I fell in love with it! It is a lovely guest house that offers allergy-free units, which is a unique feature not commonly found in other hotels. Additionally, guests can have wine or champagne delivered to their room, which adds to the overall experience of staying at Casa Kala. The guest house also has a garden and a private parking, which is suuuuper convenient 🙂
Thomaz Palace
Thomaz Palace is housed in a beautifully restored building, offering a unique blend of historical charm and modern amenities. The apartments at the Thomaz Palace are truly something else – spacious, with wide windows, and well-equipped, providing a comfortable and convenient stay, whether it’s for a shorter or longer period. The modern minimalist furniture and the well-equipped kitchen, designed to be unobtrusive for those guests not making use of it, add to the overall appeal.
daPraça Apartments
This is my last apartment recommendation in Bonfim neighborhood but not the least. What I particularly love about daPraça Apartments is that each apartment has a terrace with chaise longes and rocking chairs which are soooo relaxing.
Best restaurants, cafés and bars in the Bonfim neighborhood
O Porto dos Gatos
O Porto dos Gatos is one of my favorite spots in Bonfim neighborhood because it is basically a cat café <3 serving vegan food <3 where all the resident cats are up for responsible adoption <3.
Therefore when you visit this space you are not only enjoying some of the best vegan cakes in Porto but also contributing to the financial stability of an amazing institution. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Atrevo
I recently went to Atrevo and I felt in love with the concept. It is basically this super tiny restaurant where you can have a proper food pairing menu, with great Portuguese wines. It is quite expensive for Portuguese standards but totally worth it, especially if you are on a date with a wine nerd like me. Moreover, the staff is suuuper friendly and unpretentious – you will feel immediately at ease.
Combi
I love Combi, one of the best specialty coffee shops in Porto. There you can have a very decent cup of coffee (multiple origins and different extraction methods), watch the owners roast their own coffee and buy coffee. The one thing I dislike though, is that it is ALWAYS packed so make sure to get there early!
Euskalduna Studio
Euskalduna Studio is the mad dream of a college drop off, Vasco Coelho Santos, that quickly became one of the rising stars of modern Portuguese cuisine.
His restaurant is inspired in the Japanese omakase restaurants, where guest have an intimate experience with the chef, as they never know what exactly they are going to eat.
The food is playful and it explores less known ingredients such as mackerel and rockfish, so even though it is painfully expensive, it is worth the experience.
Suribachi
Suribachi is the oldest macrobiotic restaurant in Porto and one of my favorite restaurants in the city. There you will find a buffet style restaurant serving delicious food (including a vegan francesinha on Saturdays), but also a small grocery shop.
Suribachi also makes the best rice bread in the city.
Rogério do Redondo
Rogério do Redondo is one of the best traditional restaurants in Porto, and I recommend you to get there if you are serious about trying our traditional dishes such as feijoada (red beans stew) or cabrito assado no forno (roasted baby goat). If you are a fussy eater don’t even think about going there: this restaurant is for the adventurous.
Terraplana
I love a good cocktail and Terraplana prepares some of the best cocktails in Porto. Besides that, it also serves amazing pizzas (including vegan ones) and a delicious hummus. On Friday and Saturday’s nights there is always live music, that you can enjoy on the backyard patio. It’s a super nice place to hang out with friends!
How to get to the Bonfim neighborhood
Bonfim neighborhood is easily reachable by subway – you just need to get out at the subway station 24 Agosto, Heroísmo or Marquês.
There is also an important transport hub in Campo 24 de Agosto, by the former Central shopping center, where over 300 regional buses departure daily.
If you’re staying in the Bonfim neighborhood do NOT rent a car – there’s a lot of traffic in this area, and barely any car parks nearby. Even a skilled driver like me finds it hard to park there!
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