Porto is a children friendly city, with plenty of activities for families with kids and even great family hotels.
There are also amazing family restaurants in Porto, with spaces for children to play, or at least gardens where they can run freely while their parents have a peaceful meal. Let’s meet them!
The best family restaurants in Porto are:
Varanda da Barra
Rua Coronel Raúl Peres, 244 | Porto
Varanda da Barra is a classic in Porto, and whenever I go there I see children running on the huge terrace overlooking the Douro river so it is definitely one of the best family restaurants in Porto.
It serves fabulous pizzas, pasta and other Italian delicacies. It is so highly appreciated by families of Porto that when I started structuring this article, all my friends with kids immediately told me: “You must include Varanda!” 🙂
For me the only problem is the area, away from the center of Porto.
How to get there: I usually go by car, but you can also take the tram 1.
Treze %
Rua da Cerca, 440 | Porto
Treze % is the perfect place in Porto. It has amazing traditional Portuguese food served on a sunny patio that is an open invitation to a relaxed lunch. It even has a “mini aquarium” made of stone, with golden fishes, that delights the kids. It is wonderful to have 13% as one of the best family restaurants in Porto!
How to get there: the buses 200, 203, 204 and 207 stop right in front.
Bira dos Namorados
Rua de Ceuta, 61 | Porto
Bira dos Namorados is a spacious and immensely colorful restaurant, with brightly colored chairs, Portuguese tiles on the counter and hand-painted crockery. Some things were also thought for the little ones, like the individual paper drawings to color by hand. It really is a delight, this family restaurant in Porto.
Over there you can enjoy some delicious artisanal hamburgers or snacks, such as pataniscas (deep fried codfish cakes). For dessert, order the Abade de Priscos pudding, which you will eat and cry for more.
How to get there: Aliados metro station is a 5 minutes walking distance.
Casinha Boutique Café
Avenida da Boavista, 854
Casinha Boutique Café is not exactly a restaurant, but a coffee shop with a wonderful terrace. Located in the Boavista neighborhood, is a perfect space for sunny breakfasts, long lasting brunches and light lunches with quiches, salads and cakes.
If you want my advice, grab your kids, go to the Sunday concert at noon in Casa da Música (tickets are always very cheap) and then run to Casinha Boutique Café for a fresh cheesecake!
How to get there: Casa da Música metro station is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Presto Pizza Cedofeita
Rua de Cedofeita, 291 | Porto
Continuing with Italian restaurants (as these are the best family restaurants in Porto, as families with kids simply love them!): Presto Pizza, at the heart of Cedofeita, is a wonderful retreat for families because it has a covered terrace with a huge garden where kids can be completely at ease (there are walls all around).
The pizzas are great (the desserts not so much) and the service is very attentive.
How to get there: Lapa metro station is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Pizzaria Luzzo
Avenida da Boavista, 831 | Porto
Another pizzeria on the list (kids are always happy there, right?) On this list of the best family restaurants in Porto.
One thing I really like about Pizzeria Luzzo is that the atmosphere, although relaxed, is also elegant, being pleasant for both adults and children. The pizzas are good and the sangrias are even better, just what you need on a dinner out with children: P
How to get there: Casa da Música metro station is a 10 minutes walking distance.
Soundwich
Avenida do Parque, 595 (Parque da cidade) | Porto
Soundwich opened with an irreverent concept, with sandwiches designed and prepared by famous chefs. What it lacks in the quality of service (it’s very slow), it compensates with its perfect location at Parque da Cidade, one of the best parks in Porto.
I particularly like going there on Saturdays in the morning, when the Biological Market takes place, with the best producers you can imagine.
How to get there: the buses 208 and 501 stop practically in front.
Restaurante de Serralves
Rua Dom João de Castro, 210 | Porto
Another classic spot for families with kids is the Serralves Foundation. On the first floor there is a huge restaurant with a buffet of both cold and hot dishes, which also has a sunny terrace. It is definitely one of the best family restaurants in Porto, in terms of space, security and quality of food.
Take my suggestion and get the online ticket to Serralves for 20€, which gives you access to the museum and to the park (kids under 12 years old don’t pay). It is quite an experience to wonder around the park before lunch at Serralves’ restaurant, and then go for the museum (or the other way around).
How to get there: the buses 203 and 207 stop across the street.
Restaurante da Praia do Homem do Leme
Avenida Montevideu | Porto
There is nothing to point out at Restaurante da Praia do Homem do Leme, a nice restaurant located in the Foz neighborhood. It has a terrace in front of the ocean, and a playground next door. I even dare to say that it is perfect for families with kids, young couples, groups of friends … Versatility is the key word here!
How to get there: the bus 500 stops across the street.
Restaurante Parque da Aguda
Avenida Gomes Guerra, 721 | Arcozelo
Parque da Aguda restaurant is known for good food and attentive service (although, as I know, from time to time it has some flaws), but it is particularly attractive for families with children as it has a huge outdoor area, with terrace, garden and a playground.
After lunch, take a walk on Aguda beach, you will see that you will not regret it.
How to get there: Aguda train station is nearby.
Restaurante Di Casa
Rua Fernando Lopes Vieira, 262 | Vila Nova de Gaia
I have already been to Di Casa on two dates and, on both occasions, I got the feeling that it is a restaurant much more suitable for families with children than for couples. The super informal (and not very comfortable) decor and homemade pizzas, along with the immense surrounding garden, make this without a doubt one of the best family restaurants in Porto’s district.
The restaurant is not in Porto but in Vila Nova de Gaia, across the Douro river.
How to get there: Santo Ovídio metro station is a 10 minutes walking distance.