Porto, a small coastal city in the Atlantic famous for its Port wine lodges, also has some fantastic wine bars showcasing the best wines produced all over the country, and, most notable, the Douro Valley‘s, where Port wine is produced. And I have decided to finally hand them to you on this article 🙂
A couple of things before we move on to the list of the best wine bars in Porto:
- Most of the bars mentioned on this article are closed two days a week, usually on Sundays and Mondays, so it is best to check their schedule before going there.
- Portugal is a very food-centric country (I am a very food centric person, too!), so you will be able to find proper food at most of these wine bars.
- Last but not the least: if you are a wine lover and are serious about getting to know Portuguese wines, then I highly recommend you to take our Private wine tour in the Douro valley. You’ll get to explore the most amazing boutique wineries with the best guides of the region. (True story – just check out the amazing TripAdvisor reviews our guests have written about our tours over the years).
I also organise a Super Premium Wine tour in Porto; it’s super exclusive, and super expensive. Send me an email to sara@portoalities.com if this interests you.
Enough said. Let’s start!
The best wine bars in Porto
Prova
Prova is one of the oldest wine bars in Porto and it remains one of the best ones. Located in the iconic Ribeira neighborhood, it has a jazzy vibe that is second to none.
The wine list is not very extensive (especially the wines by the glass, which is a shame) but it is accompanied by a passionate and informed explanation by the friendly staff. It was at Prova, for example, that I tasted my first “talha wines” (wines produced in massive Portuguese clay amphora, mostly in Alentejo wine region).
It’s just a medium-sized room, and as it’s one of the most popular wine bars in Porto, it fills up quickly. Therefore, I advise you to show up as soon as the doors open and to stay on the sofas at the entrance (if you are going as a couple) or to stay at one of the large tables at the back (if you are going with a group of friends).
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 6-minute walking distance.
Angel’s Share
Angel’s Share, located near the best Port wine lodges, is a place that is hard to read in the sense that it has an ENORMOUS menu that ranges from cocktails, gin & tonics, whisky, cognac, champagnes, Madeira wines… and YES, fantastic wines from all around Portugal, including some very old (and terribly expensive) Port wines.
This wine bar also has a fantastic view over the Douro river and in particular the Luiz I bridge, that is, honestly, quite unbeatable.
The two things I don’t like about the Angel’s share though is that it is veeeeery big and that its decor lean on the nouveaux riche side, which I find distasteful. But these are very personal considerations that should not stop you from going there.
How to get there: Jardim do Morro subway station is a 14-minute walking distance.
Genuíno
O Genuíno is the new sensation among the best wine bars in Porto, and it’s no wonder: it’s a small bar located in the most romantic neighborhood of the city, with a vintage and informal decor, where some of the best natural wines in Portugal are served. And that, dear friends, is no small matter, as in Lusitanian lands we are still not very fond of wines with little human intervention.
Another unique thing about Genuíno is that the food is genuinely good, and it changes every week according to seasonal products. There is always a soup available, several main dishes and even two desserts. And yes, it is always delicious.
It’s a tiny bar and very (VERY) popular with the locals, so I recommend you make a reservation or to show up as soon as the doors open.
How to get there: Aliados subway station is a 11-minute walking distance.
Lado Wines – Porto & Douro wine bar
Lado Wines is a bar dedicated to wine lovers from small producers, especially Port wine. This wine bar in Porto is a project by AVEPOD, an association (with a terrible name) of excellent small Douro producers, such as Quinta das Lamelas and Aneto Wines, with whom we work on our private tours in the Douro.
Therefore, I recommend this wine bar in Porto to anyone who is especially interested in discovering lesser known Port wines. Their classic wine tasting costs 30€ / person and you can book it online.
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 8-minute walking distance.
Wine Quay
Wine Quay is probably the wine bar in Porto that I go to the most because it has an absolutely relaxing view over Cais de Gaia and the Douro river. Whenever I’m stressed, I go there for a glass of wine while I wave at the 6 bridge cruises that sail across the river.
But to enjoy the view, you have to be lucky, as Wine Quay consists of half a dozen chairs along a narrow outdoor wall. It also has two small rooms, but staying inside isn’t half as fun as staying on the wall (not the least because the furniture isn’t very comfortable, to be quite honest).
At Wine Quay you can find a menu with great wine suggestions, and the only thing that bothers me is that the wines never changed over the years. The wines can – and should – be accompanied by the EXCELLENT snacks on the menu, such as cheeses, sausages and canned fish. All Portuguese, of course.
How to get there: São Bento subway station is a 8-minute walking distance.
Botella – Food & Wine
Botella is one of the most recent wine bars in Porto and the only one, as far as I can remember, located in the Foz area, right in front of one of the best beaches in the city. It is, therefore, a spectacular place to watch the sunset 🙂
The wine list is bold, favoring small producers and small-scale wines. To accompany, unusual and delicious tapas, such as salmon tartar or raspberry meringue.
In short, a place far from tourists and with fewer tourists, which I find delightful in a city that is less and less ours.
How to get there: the bus 500 stops right outside (stop name: Praia de Gondarém).
Capela Incomum
Capela Incomum is the wine bar in Porto with the most unusual location as it is located in an old… abandoned chapel. True story! It is, therefore, a nice place to surprise our significant other 🙂
Capela Incomum has a very short wine list but with some good wines (namely the Vinho Verde wines). There are also many tapas and they also serve beer and sangria, making it a very unpretentious and affordable place.
If you ask me if it’s one of the best wine bars in Porto for true wine connoisseurs? No. But it is still a quaint place to have a drink in the city.
How to get there: Aliados subway station is a 10-minute walking distance.
A Cave Do Bon Vivant
Cave do Bon Vivant is one of the few wine bars in Porto that is not located in the city center or other tourist areas, such as Ribeira. Instead, it is located at the beginning of the pedestrian area of Rua de Santa Catarina, a quieter area.
But there are more reasons that made A Cave do Bon Vivant one of the most popular spots among locals and tourists alike: the excellent selection of natural wines, the fact that the owner is super knowledgeable about them (and can therefore make you the right recommendations). In addition, it serves delicious world food.
Great food, great wines and great ambiance – what else do you need in life?!
How to get there: Bolhão subway station is a 6-minute walking distance.
Cave Bombarda – Natural Wine Shop
Cave Bombarda is located at Centro Comercial Bombarda, a cute tiny shopping mall that I have been to countless times because it is SO COOL. It has plenty of nice concept stores, and now it also has Cave Bombarda, which is truly a mix between a wine shop and a wine bar (including on the schedule: it is only open from 11h to 19h, with a lunch break in between).
Cave Bombarda is specialised in natural wines from all across the country (including, of course, Pet Nats). It only has a sofa and a couple of tables with chairs, so it’s not the kind of place where you go to stay for long.
How to get there: Aliados subway station is a 15-minute walking distance.
Sala de Prova (inside the Time Out Market)
If you head over to the new Time Out Market at the São Bento train station, you absolutely have to stop by Sala de Prova. Forget the idea that markets are just for a quick bite; here, wine is taken seriously, but the food is just as impressive. They serve wonderful and sophisticated dishes that take the whole experience to another level. You must try, for instance, the beef tartare with oyster emulsion or the scarlet shrimp with seaweed rice—these dishes immediately show you they mean business. I
t is the perfect spot among the best wine bars in Porto for those who want to sip a glass from a small producer while dining like they’re in a luxury restaurant, all within the market’s relaxed atmosphere.
How to get there: The easiest way is to take the metro or train to São Bento station. The market is located right in the south wing of the station.
Tão Longe, Tão Perto
Tão Longe, Tão Perto is one of those projects that is shaking things up in the city. The space is minimalist and focused on natural and organic wines, but what really sets this bar apart is the fact that they have “taps.” Instead of the usual bottle ritual, the wine is poured directly from taps into your glass, making everything much more practical and focused on freshness and sharing.
It’s the ideal place to sample various references without any fuss, in a super young and modern environment that celebrates the purity of what lands in your glass.
How to get there: the bar is about a 10-minute walk from the Campo 24 de Agosto metro station.
Matriarca
Matriarca is a sophisticated space cleverly divided into three zones. You have a room dedicated exclusively to Port wine tastings and a fantastic wine bar serving wonderful snacks (petiscos). On the top floor there is a fine dining restaurant but, to be honest, I don’t particularly recommend it; stick to the wine bar instead—it’s totally worth it. The big highlight here is when you ask to have a bottle of Port wine opened with fire. It is a precious ritual performed with red-hot tongs, and it’s something increasingly rare to witness, even here in Porto. It’s a true spectacle that honors tradition.
How to get there: the subway station Aliados and São Bento are a couple of minutes away.
Onze Onze
Located on Rua da Torrinha, Onze Onze is that Cedofeita refuge you simply must visit if you want to escape the downtown crowds. It’s one of the coolest wine bars in Porto, with an incredible vibe and a super cozy atmosphere, ideal for those who love discovering wines you won’t find on just any supermarket shelf. The selection is handpicked and the staff really know their stuff, treating the wine with the respect it deserves without any of that annoying snobbery. It’s the perfect place to start your night or for a late afternoon date, with a wine list that will make you want to stay for a second (or third) glass.
How to get there: the subway station Lapa is close by.
