The best restaurants in Gerês National Park

If you’re going to explore Gerês this summer, then a list of the best restaurants in Gerês is a must.…

Sara Riobom
28 de September de 2021

If you’re going to explore Gerês this summer, then a list of the best restaurants in Gerês is a must.

Generally speaking, you eat quite well in the region, with the famous regional food served in generous portions by friendly people. However, if you’re vegetarian or vegan, prepare yourself: this is a meat region! Portuguese people are very friendly and accommodating, but you’ll probably end up eating an omelet or a salad with rice and fries.

Without further ado, I present to you the best things to eat in Gerês.

These are the restaurants no Gerês:

Casa do Preto

Largo Salgueiro, 3 | Pitões das Júnias

I’ve already talked about Casa do Preto in the article about the best hotels in Gerês, and quite rightfully so. It is a very spacious restaurant / guesthouse, where I stayed for three days, so I had the opportunity to try several regional dishes, all delicious. The stars were without a doubt the generous veal chop (served with potatoes and sautéed vegetables) and the delicately seasoned feijoada (a traditional white beans stew with cured meats). For dessert, the chocolate cake stands out – it’s so decadent you might as well share it with someone else!

At the end of your meal, take the opportunity to buy homemade jams, tisanes, sausages and other delicious regional products made in what is one of the best restaurants in Gerês.

Taberna da Ti Ana da Eira

Rua Cabeça do Castro, 3 | Parada de Outeiro
traditional portuguese sausage taberna ti ana eira best restaurants geres
cozido portuguesa taberna ti ana eira

Taberna da Ti Ana da Eira is one of those places that is so good that you want to keep it a secret (but you know I wouldn’t do that to you!). All the dishes are good, from the posta, to the grilled octopus, the alheira barrosã (a sausage made from Bisara pork meat with the addition of small amounts of poultry and game)… but what won my heart was the Cozido à Portuguesa, made with local meats. A delight.

Besides that, the view is absolutely spectacular, making Taberna da Ti Ana da Eira one of the best restaurants in Gerês.

Lurdes Capela

Avenida Manuel Gomes de Almeida, 77 | Gerês (vila)
roasted cod lurdes capela
lurdes capela

I almost feel like posting just the photos of Lurdes Capela, because that alone would show you why it is one of the best restaurants in Gerês (and one of the most famous, too). Besides the traditional dishes of the region, you can also venture into the unusual venison and wild boar ribs and the black pork lizards (I won’t explain what they are, you’ll have to give them a go!).

As it is a very popular restaurant and they don’t take reservations, I recommend you show up early so you won’t be waiting too long.

Restaurante Pedra Bela

Av. Manuel Francisco da Costa, 86 | Terras de Bouro
roasted octopus restaurant pedra bela

At Pedra Bela, one of the best restaurants in Gerês, you can buy stuffed crabs and even francesinha (noooooo!!!), but I’m not one to get carried away: if I’m in this region, it’s to eat regional food, like the fantastic roast octopus with cornbread. But I recognize that, for those who are far from the coast (and, therefore, from the best seafood restaurants in Porto), Pedra Bela is an excellent option for those who prefer to eat fish.

I leave, however, an important note: this restaurant is expensive as hell (at least for Portuguese standards)!

Saber ao Borralho

Av. 25 de Abril, Caminho da Costa Velha | Soajo
roasted veal saber borralho best restaurants geres
beans rice saber borralho soajo

In one of my favorite villages in Gerês you will find Saber ao Borralho, a cozy and unpretentious restaurant, just the way I like it. Expectably, and like all mentions in this list of the best restaurants in Gerês, you will be welcomed with sympathy and generous portions of regional food. However, I’d like to highlight the dish that won me over: the roasted cachena (the DOP barrosã meat) with a fantastic rice made of beans and vegetables, like few I’ve eaten in my life. I would happily take a trip just to experience these flavors again.

Miradouro do Castelo

Castro Laboreiro
restaurant miradouro castelo castro laboreiro
terrace restaurant miradouro castelo
steak roasted potatoes restaurante miradouro castelo

Whoever drives by would never dream that they are in front of one of the most beautiful restaurants in Gerês. You read that right: most beautiful. Miradouro do Castelo has a modern and spacious room, decorated with simplicity and good taste, and with a magnificent view. By the way, if you want to be in touch with nature, I suggest you have lunch on the terrace, which is very pleasant in springtime.

At Miradouro do Castelo, one of the best restaurants in Gerês, I recommend you try the roast baby goat or the codfish with cornbread, which are fantastic.

The only downside is that the service is sometimes slow.

Tasquinha Ti’Mélia 

Rua Visconde de Sistelo | Sistelo
dining room tasquinha ti melia geres
grilled chorizo tasquinha ti melia
portuguese tapas tasquinha ti melia sistelo best restaurants geres

If you like tapas, Tasquinha da Ti’Mélia is one of the best restaurants in Gerês for you. In addition to regional dishes you find in the other restaurants mentioned on this article, this place has a list of tasty tapas: a selection of homemade sausages and cheeses, rojões, picadinho de cachena, codfish cakes… it’s hard to choose. If you’re not in the mood, ask for the Posta de Cachena (thick tenderloin) with bean rice, which is fabulous.

Another thing I love about Tasquinha da Ti’Mélia is the rustic but tasteful decoration, which makes us feel immediately at home. All in all, a pearl of Gerês.

Restaurante Val de Poldros

Branda Santo António Val de Poldros | Brandão
dining room restaurant val poldros geres
pork ribs val poldros best restaurants geres

Purists will tell me that the Val de Poldros restaurant does not belong in the Penêda – Gerês National Park, and rightly so. But since it is a ridiculous 4 km away, I decided to include it anyway in this list of the best restaurants in Gerês. At Val de Poldros you can eat one of the best steaks and ribs, and the fries are to die for. The roasted baby goat also brings with it a loyal following. And the dishes, to top it all off, are inexpensive.

When you finish your meal, take a walk in the village of Branda de Santo António (don’t forget the belvedere), known as the “village of the Gauls” or, as a friend of mine would say, “the Portuguese Shire” (for those who love the Lord of the Rings as much as I do, this reference is enough to make you go there 😉

Fojo dos Lobos

Rua da Portela do Monte, 10 | Fafião
tapas restaurant fojo lobos fafiao

Look at the picture and tell me if this isn’t what we are all looking for when we head to Northern Portugal: a table full of dishes and petiscos (the roasted chorizo with pineapple is amazing), a group of smiling friends, and a fantastic view. I don’t need much more to be happy 🙂

Restaurante Ponte Nova

Cabril
terrace restaurante ponte nova
traditional portuguese food restaurant ponte nova cabril

What makes Ponte Nova one of the best restaurants in Gerês is, quite frankly, the terrace. It’s not that the food is bad (but the standard is very high in this region), it’s that everything tastes much better with a pleasant view of the Cávado River. Therefore, I strongly advise you to visit this restaurant on a spring or summer day, after taking a dip in the Pincães waterfall.

Tasca Pertinho do Céu

São Bento do Cando

One of Gerês’ best kept secrets is Pertinho do Céu, which was recommended by a good friend of mine. It’s not really a restaurant, but more of a small cafe with an absolutely stunning view, ideal for taking a break during a road trip. So I recommend you order a grilled sausage, a chilled beer or a bottle of ice-cold vinho verde, and enjoy the snacks on the terrace – believe me, you won’t regret it.

Save this article for later:

top 10 restaurants geres
best restaurants geres portugal

Related tours

Half Day private tour in Porto (4h)
Behind-the-scenes access to Porto's well kept secrets.
From 80€ / person
Check Tour
Full Day private tour in Porto (7h)
The most exclusive wine lodge in Porto is waiting for you.
From 119€ / person
Check Tour
Private Jewish Heritage tour of Porto
Discover the hidden treasures of the Jewish history in Porto.
From 75€ / person
Check Tour
Private Wine tour in Douro Valley
Exclusive tour of family-owned wineries and hidden culinary gems.
From 135€ / person
Check Tour
River cruise and wine tour in Douro Valley
Enjoy award-winning wines, authentic Portuguese cuisine and amazing river views.
From 135€ / person
Check Tour

Related articles

Top restaurants to get the best francesinha in Porto

I get so many emails asking for recommendations on where to eat francesinha, the signature dish of Porto, that I…

Sara Riobom
4 de November de 2021
Top 5 traditions of São João festival in Porto

São João festival is the most important night of the year in Porto. Even though São João is not the official…

Sara Riobom
18 de June de 2016
The tallest buildings in Porto

Prior to the 18th century, Porto was a religious city and the taxes were paid to the catholic church. That’s…

Sara Riobom
3 de April de 2018
Half Day private tour in Porto (4h)
Check Tour
FECHAR