Where To Eat In Porto, According To Nuno Mendes

Codfish cakes, spicy sausage sandwiches, pastel de nata, grilled sardines: there’s an abundance of delicious traditional food to be eaten in Porto. The coastal city, found in the northwest of Portugal, is known as much for its culinary scene as it is for its port wine, with a vibrant mix of street food hotspots, fine dining restaurants and low-key ‘tascas’ (affordable, casual eateries). But where to prioritise on a weekend there? We asked one of the world’s most famous Portuguese chefs, Nuno Mendes, to share his top recommendations for where to eat in Porto.

Nuno Mendes

A pioneer of modern Portuguese cuisine, Nuno Mendes grew up in Lisbon, training as a chef in San Francisco before honing his craft alongside names like Wolfgang Puck and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. He has helmed a number of restaurants in London over the years, including the celebrity magnet Chiltern Firehouse and, most recently, Lisboeta in Soho. 

In 2023, Mendes added to his canon with two new openings in the centre of Porto, Cozinha das Flores and Flôr, which are part of The Largo: 18 rooms set across five heritage buildings. ‘Porto is one of those cities where old and new blend effortlessly, and long-standing traditions coexist with fresh and creative energy,’ he says. ‘I love walking through its streets with a good playlist – something that sets the mood but still lets me hear the city and take it all in. These are some of the spots that make Porto special for me.’

Best Places To Eat In Porto: Nuno Mendes’ Pick

Prova

‘Prova is a must for wine lovers. Porto has no shortage of great places for a glass, but Prova stands out with the perfect mix of intimacy and expertise.

1 de Ferreira Borges 86, 4050-252 Porto, Portugal, prova.com.pt

Flôr

Flôr, of course, is on the list. It’s the kind of place where you can start the evening with a beautifully made cocktail and somehow find yourself still there hours later, caught up in great conversation and the energy of the room. And great coffee in the morning!

Lgo de S. Domingos 62, 4050-545 Porto, Portugal, florporto.com

Euskalduna 

When it comes to food, Euskalduna offers a Michelin-style, experiential dining experience and is one of the most exciting places to eat in Porto.

1 de Santo Ildefonso 404, 4000-466 Porto, Portugal

Nuno Mendes

Pata Gorda

Pata Gorda is a lively restaurant with a modern take on Portuguese cuisine. There’s a fresh energy to it that really excites me, especially to see it come to life in Porto to keep the food scene dynamic.

1 Dr. Melo Leote 13, 4100-343 Porto, Portugal

Babel

Babel is another great example of the new wave of independent spots bringing something fresh and different to Porto’s food scene.

Rua dos Caldeireiros 100, 4050-137 Porto, Portugal

Casa Expresso

On the other hand, Casa Expresso is a proper ‘tasca’, meaning a small, affordable place to eat which serves traditional food, and Casa Expresso is full of history and character. It serves classic, comforting Portuguese dishes in a no frills, unpretentious setting. It’s a good place to get the full Porto experience.

Praça de Carlos Alberto 73, 4050-158 Porto, Portugal

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Other Things To Do

Jardim do Morro 

Jardim do Morro is the perfect place to stop and enjoy the view after crossing the Dom Luís Bridge. You can simply stay there for a while and take in the historic Porto landscape. I’m not quite sure why I like it so much, but I keep going back.

Miradouro das Virtudes 

This is a more tucked-away viewpoint, but that’s part of the charm. It captures the essence of Porto’s layered beauty and has become quite the meeting spot. Especially in the evenings, locals and visitors will gather here, and share a drink while watching the sun go down.

Miguel Bombarda

Miguel Bombarda is at the heart of Porto’s independent art scene. The area is full of galleries, concept stores, and creative spaces. It’s the kind of place where you can just wander around and take it all it, and always stumble upon something new that will catch your eye.’

Find out more about Nuno Mendes’ Porto restaurants at cozinhadasflores.com and florporto.com