Where to eat in Porto? Our selection of 10 specialties from Porto

1.Bifanas

Let's start with an essential dish from this city which is nothing other than a simple and efficient snack to cook: Bifanas (or pork cutlets). These are sandwiches made with bijou bread (a small, very tasty white bread), filled with pork shavings that have been cooked in a delicious sauce. This dish is very widespread in Porto and is offered in many restaurants and cafés. It's typically the kind of meal that children love, and where not a crumb remains on the plate! The recipes and flavors differ according to the menu, which makes it an always original dish!

2.La Francesinha

Typical of the city of Porto, the Francesinha is a sandwich made of two thick slices of sandwich bread and different types of meats (pork, steak, ham, sausage) to choose from. The whole thing is covered with a beer sauce, cheese sauce, tomato coulis, Port wine, corn starch, milk and piri-piri pepper (a Portuguese essential). Ranked as one of the best sandwiches in the world, it can be served with fries or an egg. The origins of this dish are quite surprising! Indeed, the Francesinha was created by an immigrant of French origin named "Daniel David Silva". He would have worked in the 60s, in a restaurant called "A Regaleira", and would have revisited the croque-monsieur. Hence the birth of the Francesinha!

3.Caldo Verde

What is nicknamed the "green soup" is one of the most traditional recipes from Porto. Caldo Verde catches the eye with its color and texture, it's a soup made of potatoes, kale, with a drizzle of olive oil and a few slices of chorizo. It is so renowned and appreciated that great Portuguese poets have cited it in their writings, notably "Eça de Queiroz" and "Fernando Pessoa". When the cold arrives in Portugal, you'll be happy to taste this harmoniously prepared broth. Do you want a few slices of bread? No problem, it goes well with the meat mixed with the rest.

4.Tripas à moda do Porto

Composed of tripe and accompanied by white beans with white rice, this dish is very appreciated by Porto residents... And not only! Its preparation is done in two distinct stages: the night before, you have to soak the white beans in cold water, then let them simmer until the next day; then, cook them with the tripe to savor everything. Depending on your preferences, different types of meat can go with this recipe: but many enjoy eating it with ears or even salted pig's feet as well as smoked breast. A real treat!

5.Pao de lo

Here is a festive dish that is found on absolutely all Portuguese family tables during Christmas or Easter meals. In Portugal, there's no need to make complicated things for them to be appreciated. Pao de lo is a very soft cake made of flour, sugar and eggs. Considered an essential element of the country's gastronomic heritage, it is a somewhat spongy and yellowish cake that is baked in a beautiful clay mold. Accompanied by tea or coffee, it's a real gem!

6.Pudim de vunho do Porto

Let's continue on this good momentum and now talk about one of the most famous desserts in Portugal, the Pudim de vinho do Porto. Easily recognizable, we particularly love its sweet color similar to a sunset. It is actually an egg pudding, very traditional in the city of Porto. It is covered with a thick layer of caramel as well as a light touch of wine, which gives the recipe an absolutely exquisite taste. Indeed, in the mouth, it's an explosion of flavors that will surely remain forever engraved in your memory...

7.Bolinhos de bacalhau

Are you with friends and want to treat everyone during aperitif with a Portuguese specialty? Make Bolinhos de bacalhau, there's nothing easier! These salted cod croquettes are prepared with potato, cod, onions, parsley and are served hot or cold. Depending on your preferences! It's generally a dish consumed as a starter, with a delicious little fresh salad on the side. If you want to eat them as a main course, they go rather well with rice.

8.Papas de Sarrabulho

If we literally translate "Papas de Sarrabulho" into English, we get "blood porridge". Said like that, it sounds weird, we grant you that. Unless you're a vampire (we doubt there are any among our readers), we don't quite see how to eat this dish. And yet, it's one of the most exquisite in Porto! It is actually a mixture of different types of meat. The porridges are made with ham, chicken, beef, sausage, pork blood and other ingredients. Perfect for warming you up during winter, it's the kind of original meal you absolutely must try if you're visiting Portugal!

9.Polvo com molho verde

If you want to enjoy Porto during summer, taste the "Polvo com molho verde", a seafood-based dish. And yes! Here they are at last. Here is a tasty recipe composed of boiled octopus, olives, delicious potatoes, soft-boiled eggs as well as onions. You'll have the opportunity to eat this in Porto, as it's one of the most frequent dishes served in restaurants. If you want to taste it, do things thoroughly and enjoy this dish by the sea. Let's get in the mood!

10.Sardinhas assadas

We finish this ranking with a second dish from the wonders of the sea, sardinhas assadas are very popular fish in Porto. It is possible to cook them in different ways: fried, boiled, grilled, in soup... The choice is varied. After cleaning them, they are grilled with coarse salt on both sides for 10 minutes. Many like to enjoy them with slices of bread, roasted potatoes or peppers. In Portugal, there is even a traditional sardine festival at the beginning of August. So come participate and fill your belly!