There is an entire section dedicated to Food & Wine on my website and yet, somehow, it was missing an article about the Best Tapas restaurants in Porto. Well, no more. Here it is – enjoy it, my dear tapas friends!
Tapas in Porto: Important things to know
There are some important things to consider before reading this article:
- If you are a true tapas lover, why not join a food & wine tour in Porto? It is indeed the best way to get to know the local cuisine, to discover places you would never find on your own and to meet like minded travellers.
- Another interesting option (and much cheaper) is to join a Pastel de Nata cooking class, where you will learn how to cook the famous pastel de nata sweet pastry with a local that will share with you her family recipe (I know this for a fact because I am friends with the person that organises this activity 🙂
- Tapas restaurants in Porto are, generally speaking, more expensive than eating out at regular traditional Portuguese restaurants.
- They are increasingly popular among tourists, so I highly recommend you to make your reservation in advance – and, if you can’t make it, cancel it ASAP!
Best Tapas restaurants in Porto
Tascö
Calling Tascö a tapas restaurant is borderline offensive because it is so much more than that. At Tascö you will be able to taste some of the best Portuguese ingredients available in the market (like the most stunning octopus, tiger prawns and Alentejo black pork), cooked in modern techniques and sharable portions. Oh, and did I mentioned their signature cocktails? They are to die for as well, and a great way to start your meal at Tascö (for dessert, I definitely suggest you to try one of their Ports).
Tascö is a bit on the expensive side but a) it is definitely worth it and b) practically all dishes are sharable, so in the end it is not that expensive.
Oh, and don’t forget to make your reservation ahead because Tascö gets sold out with weeks (yes, weeks) in advance.
How to get there: Aliados subway station is a 2-minute walking distance.
The Door
I was dragged to the Douro by a dear friend of mine, and I am glad he did so because The Door is indeed one of the best tapas restaurants in Porto. Located right behind the Portuguese Center of Photography (a former jail, by the way), The Door is a small yet very cosy restaurant where you will able to try great tapas like Black Angus Carpaccio, Argentinian empanadas and Alheira slices (a traditional Portuguese sausage). There are also plenty of vegetarian options, like the beetroot hummus.
But for me, the star of the night were the fresh oysters from Aveiro (a city just 60km South of Porto), that were available that night. Paired with a sparkling wine from Filipa Pato (a famous winemaker) and followed by their “Bite Me” chocolate brownie, oooh, I was in heaven 🙂
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 10-minute walking distance.
Trásca
Trásca is a fusion space that combines the informal atmosphere of a traditional tavern (with its vaulted ceilings and decoration filled to the ceiling) with delicious tapas. It is not for everybody (I get that) but it is a really cool place and one of the few restaurants in downtown Porto that is still frequented by locals, which is a big plus on this list of the best tapas restaurants in Porto.
Trásca has a very varied menu but mostly focused on meat dishes, so it’s not the best place to take your vegetarian friends. I particularly like the grilled sausages with apple puree, the sardine tostada and the lime tart, but the menu is quite vast.
One thing you should take into account is that Trásca is located near São Bento train station, precisely where the new subway stations’ construction work is taking place at the moment (I talk about that on my article about Where to stay in Porto: the best neighborhoods), so it is not the easiest place to find.
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 4-minute walking distance.
Espécie Vegetarian tapas Restaurant in Porto
Espécie is not only one of the best tapas restaurants in Porto but also one of the very few that is 100% vegetarian. That is correct, my friends: it is possible to have a great tapas dinner just with veggies 😀
Espécie is absolutely gorgeous, with its romantic backyward terrace and cute kitchenware from Costa Nova, a famous Portuguese brand. The tapas are fantastic (even though the portions are a bit too small for me), and I particularly enjoy the Korean Fried Cauliflower.
The only thing I don’t like about Espécie is the wine list – but being a private wine tour guide in Douro Valley, I tend to be incredibly demanding when it comes to wines 😉
How to get there: Aliados subway station is a 6-minute walking distance.
Rua Tapas Restaurant & Live Music Bar
Rua is a very small live music bar that also happens to serve great tapas. So for those of you that would love to party – basically that is the value proposition of this bar -, then Tapas is the perfect place because you will be able to have dinner while listening to live music 🙂 It isn’t, therefore, the best place to have conversations about the meaning of life, since the music is, understandingly, quite loud.
As for the food itself, both the tapas and the cocktails are quite good (I really like the tuna tartar and the grilled camembert cheese).
If you want to watch the live music concert, that takes place every night (different genres though), I suggest you to book a table for 20h30 / 21h as it ends around 23h as the place is tiny and gets full quite quickly.
How to get there: Aliados subway station is a 10-minute walking distance.
Tapas & Destapas
Tapas & Destapas is a small restaurant with a privileged location, very close to Torre dos Clérigos. It has a modern decor (the only thing I don’t love about this space) where you can choose to sit at one of the tables or at the counter, right in front of the bartender.
The dishes are very creative, of which the Braised Pork Belly with Migas stands out (a type of side dish made with bread and Galician cabbage), but I am also happy at Tapas & Destapas when I order a cheese and ham board.
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 4-minute walking distance.
Tapabento
Tapabento might be the most popular option on this list of the best tapas restaurants in Porto. I like going there, despite always being the only Portuguese client (something that makes me very sad), because Tapabento has delicious tapas made with seafood, such as its iconic seafood soup, fish & seafood cataplana and Fish Curry. Not to mention the peanut mousse, which is amazing!
In my opinion, Tapabento only has 2 problems: a) it is too expensive for Portuguese pockets and 2) it is located right next to São Bento station, an area that has been under construction since the beginning of the year (and who knows when it will be over…).
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 2-minute walking distance.
À Bolina
À Bolina is the most romantic restaurant on this list: with a terrace with an extraordinary view of the Luiz I bridge and a comfortable & stylish interior decor, À Bolina is really perfect for a date with your travel companion 🙂
Both the owner and the staff at À Bolina are extremely friendly, carefully explaining the menu, which is divine: I particularly like the roasted alheira and the sardine salad. For dessert, a delicious pumpkin cake, or a cheese board. All washed down, of course, with beautiful Port wines.
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 13-minute walking distance.
Tapas na Boca
Tapas na Boca is a restaurant with a super quaint traditional decor, where we are welcomed at the entrance by two tile panels with caricatures of… Wagner and Beethoven, how random is that 😀
The creativity at Tapas na Boca may begin at the entrance but it continues with its original dishes, such as a fabulous cod with honey aioli and mussels with escabeche sauce. Ironically, it’s also the only tapas restaurant I can remember that has a good tortilla!
The only issue with Tapas na Boca is that it’s a bit “salty” on the price, but to be honest I feel this about ALL the tapas restaurants in Porto.
How to get there: Aliados subway station is a 5-minute walking distance.
Rio’s Tapas & Bar
Rio’s Tapas & Bar is a restaurant with many qualities, starting with the modern, soft and stylish decor, with a great atmosphere in which we see the chefs cooking our food right in front of us. I loved this transparency and honesty from the first second!
On the dishes, I highlight the fried octopus with tartar sauce and the Italian Arancini, which I have been eagerly seeking in Porto since I tasted them in Italy.
On the other hand, Rio’s Tapas & Bar has the advantage of being located in a quiet area, right next to Praça da Batalha, where the iconic Cinema Batalha movie theater is located.
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 12-minute walking distance.
The 41 Bar
41 is a small tapas restaurant in Porto, located right on the edge of the La Movida area but on a quiet street, full of outdoor terraces and away from the crowds, which I really appreciate.
The menu highlights the more traditional tapas, such as roasted chorizo and stewed chicken gizzards, which are a must if you are a foodie travelling in Portugal.
How to get there: Aliados subway station is a 8-minute walking distance.
Seiva
Seiva is such a fantastic place, and one of the very few vegetarian tapas restaurant in Porto. It is located around 10 km away from Porto and it is a bit tricky to get there by public transports, but it is well worth it.
The place is owned by David, an amazing young chef with a heart of gold that truly loves food and connecting people using food. This is why he not only cooks but also goes to each table asking for honest feedback for his dishes.
The menu is constantly changing, to reflect the different products that each season of the year brings, so all I can say is that you won’t regret going to Leça da Palmeira to dine at Seiva 🙂
How to get there: It’s tricky to get to Seiva, since it is 11 km away from Porto. The best way is to either take a direct Uber from Porto or to take the subway to Mercado subway station (on the blue line), and from there take an Uber to Seiva (7 minutes ride).
Tábua Rasa
Tábua Rasa is a cozy, wood-accented retreat that celebrates the art of Portuguese grazing in the heart of the city. Unlike other tapas restaurants in Porto that focus on heavy cooked dishes, this spot is a temple to high-quality regional products, particularly artisanal cheeses, premium charcuterie, and gourmet canned delicacies.
It has a modern, almost “Brooklyn-meets-Porto” vibe, making it perfect for a relaxed glass of wine with friends. When I visit, I always go for the Tábua Terra e Mar, which allows you to sample everything from buttery sheep cheese to smoked mackerel, or one of their carefully curated cheese boards sourced from small local producers.
One thing to keep in mind is that many of their fish options are served from high-end conservas; while I find these a prestigious part of Portuguese gastronomy, you might be surprised if you are expecting fresh grilled fish.
How to get there: The restaurant is 5 minutes walking distant to the Aliados metro station (yellow line).
Barbarita Tapas Bar
Located in a quiet pocket away from the main tourist hubs, Barbarita is the kind of neighborhood gem that makes me feel like an invited guest in someone’s home 🙂 The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, led by a team that treats you like a regular from the second you walk in.
The menu offers a creative twist on traditional flavors, serving generous portions that are meant for sharing. You should definitely try the bifanitas (small pork sandwiches with a tomato and beer sauce) and the chouriço assado, which is brought to the table for a bit of theatrical flair. I also love their pataniscas de bacalhau because they are exceptionally light and crispy.
Because the space is quite small and very popular with locals, it can get quite loud and crowded during peak hours, so it is wise to book a table in advance.
How to get there: The restaurant is 10 minutes walking distant to the Marquês metro station (yellow line).
Só Tapas
If you are looking for an intimate, “hidden” vibe among the many tapas restaurants in Porto, Só Tapas is a fantastic choice. This tiny, family-run restaurant is famous for its hospitality, where the owners take the time to explain the entire menu to you and help you pair your food with the right Douro wine.
It’s a very small space, which creates a wonderful, romantic atmosphere for a slow dinner. The gambas com alho (prawns with garlic) and the paté de atum are my personal staples here, and if they have the pimentos de Padrón on the menu, you should definitely order them as they are perfectly seasoned.
Just be aware that this is a strictly cash-only establishment and they do not accept credit cards, so I always make sure to stop by an ATM before I arrive to avoid any issues.
How to get there: Take the metro to São Bento (yellow line). From there, it is a 10-minute walk uphill toward the Cathedral area.
Casa Vasco
Part of the prestigious Grupo Cafeína, Casa Vasco brings a touch of sophistication to the Foz district. It’s a trendy, vibrant spot where I always find a mix of locals and expats enjoying a sunset dinner near the ocean.
While it has a steakhouse soul, it functions beautifully as a tapas bar thanks to its extensive list of small plates and snacks. Their burgers are legendary in the neighborhood, but for a tapas-style meal, I suggest the lulinhas fritas (tiny fried squids) or the refreshing burrata com melancia e morangos (Burrata with watermelon and strawberries).
Because of its popularity and prime location, the service can sometimes be a bit rushed, but the atmosphere usually makes up for it.
How to get there: Take the 500 bus from São Bento or Ribeira and get off at the Senhora da Luz stop.
Casa de Pasto da Palmeira
Perched right by the river in the Cantareira area, Casa de Pasto da Palmeira is one of the most creative tapas restaurants in Porto. It successfully blends the old-school tavern aesthetic with a very modern, inventive menu.
You absolutely must try the éclairs de queijo de cabra (goat cheese éclairs) – they are my favorite thing on the menu for a reason – while the cevadotto de cogumelos (mushroom barley risotto) is a fantastic choice if you want something unique.
Since it’s a prime spot for river views, I’ve had to wait quite a while for an outdoor table on sunny weekends.
How to get there: Take the 500 bus and get off at the Passeio Alegre stop. You can also take the Line 1 historic tram and get off at the end of the line.
BÔ.MA By Cantinho dos Bragança
If you are looking for a spot that feels more like a high-energy lounge than a traditional tavern, BÔ.MA is easily one of the wildest tapas restaurants in Porto. The decor is lush and exotic, creating a “jungle” vibe that perfectly matches their lively event calendar, which features everything from Jungle Jazz nights to belly dancing performances. It’s the ultimate choice for a bachelorette party or a high-spirited girls’ night out where you want a side of entertainment with your cocktails.
The menu has a very strong seafood focus, and I love ordering a variety of their ocean-inspired small plates to share, ranging from tender octopus and cod dishes to sautéed shrimp and crispy squid. To wash it all down, their signature sangria is a must-try.
Just keep in mind that because of the “dinner and a show” energy, the music can get quite loud, so it is definitely a place for a fun night out rather than a quiet, intimate chat.
How to get there: The restaurant is centrally located, just a 5-minute walk from the São Bento train and metro station.
