The 6 Best Seafood Restaurants In Porto

If there’s one thing you need to know about Portuguese cuisine, it’s that seafood is taken incredibly seriously. This sentiment is shared across the length and breadth of the country, but I’ve found some of the best seafood in Porto.

I’ve always been acutely aware of the lifelong love affair locals have with bacalhau and sardines, which is why dishes like these are central to my Porto food tours. Yet, over the years, I’ve been opened up to dozens of other beloved seafood specialties and the best places to try each one.

Below, I’ve detailed my picks for the spots that boast the best seafood in Porto!

 

Terreiro

Lying close to the banks of the Douro River in Ribeira, Terreiro is easily among the most scenic seafood restaurants on this list.

It’s elegant yet still super relaxed, with a gorgeous cave-like white interior and an even more appealing terrace. I happened to arrive just as the lunchtime rush set in, so I secured one of the few remaining tables outside.

Despite how busy it was, the staff were sure to spend time with each customer running through the menu. Everything sounded incredible, but I was especially interested in trying the seafood rice.

If there was such a thing as a summer-style stew, this was it! The sticky rice soaked up all the flavorful juices from the seafood. On top of the bed of rice were meaty prawns, buttery mussels, and minerally clams, which were doused in spicy paprika and fragrant garlic.

Terreiro (€€) – Largo do Terreiro 11, 4050-603 Porto, Portugal – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 12:30 pm to 10:00 pm

 

Ostras & Coisas

Ostras & Coisas is situated near Avenida dos Aliados, and I found this place while strolling from the nearby metro station to Igreja do Carmo.

The decor feels like a mix of nautical and Portuguese touches, and I loved the clean white finishes and wooden beams on the ceiling. I was quickly distracted by the plethora of fresh seafood on display, and I already knew I was in for a treat.

As soon as I spotted the crab mix on the menu, I had my heart set on it. Luckily, my friend was equally enthusiastic about it, as the waitress said that this selection of crab, prawns, barnacles, and scallops was easily enough food for two.

Although I could gush about how superb every part of this dish was, the barnacles are what stood out the most. While they were similar in texture to crab meat, though slightly chewier, they had a delicate flavor that stuck with me long after the meal.

Ostras & Coisas (€€) – Rua da Fábrica nº73, 4050-247 Porto, Portugal – Open every day from 12:30 pm to 10:00 pm

 

A Marisqueira de Matosinhos

If you’re prepared to head a little out of the center to the fishing hotspot of Matosinhos, I recommend squeezing in a visit to A Marisqueira de Matosinhos.

This place looked much more upmarket than I initially realized, with its sleek wooden features and refined black tables. However, the wholesome vibe and warm staff instantly made me feel more relaxed when I sat down.

The menu was much more varied than most seafood eateries, as the meat dishes sounded just as good as the oceanic offerings. That said, I came here specifically for the seafood and was keen on the spider crab.

Had I not known any better, I would have guessed the spider crab was lobster. It had the same level of sweetness and a lovely, firm consistency that was as tender as the nutty white rice that accompanied it.

A Marisqueira de Matosinhos (€€) – R. Roberto Ivens 717, 4450-255 Matosinhos, Portugal – Closed every Monday, open Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 11:30 pm, and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm

 

Meia-Nau

Meia-Nau is hidden away on a narrow street just a few minutes walk from Igreja do Carmo. Had I not accidentally made a wrong turn, I never would have found this seafood-focused haunt.

The interior of Meia-Nau is contemporary and stylish, but it has some nods to traditional Portuguese design. Some of my favorite touches were the colorful patterned tiles and sea-blue walls.

When I laid eyes on the grilled fish and shellfish sections of the menu, I had a feeling that deciding what to order here was going to be a struggle, and it really was! Just as I was about to go for the giant tiger prawns with olive oil, I made a last-minute switch to the turbot.

It was presented with just a few lemon wedges, allowing the taste and flaky texture of the fish to do all the talking. When teamed with the zesty lemon juices, the rich flavors of the fish became softer and brighter.

Meia-Nau (€€) – Tv. de Cedofeita 48, 4050-183 Porto, Portugal – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

 

Taberna Dos Mercadores

 

Taberna Dos Mercadores is one of many spots that could argue they boast some of the best seafood in Porto. Though it’s impossible to narrow it down, I can confirm that this Riberia eatery deserves all the hype it gets.

Getting a seat in this cozy restaurant is no easy task, as there’s often a queue to eat here alongside the open kitchen or outside on the cobblestone street. Thankfully, a friend of mine had given me a heads-up about this, and I made a reservation.

Even though the giant Pacific octopus is a best-seller here, I had just eaten some just a day or two before I dined here. As such, I decided to try the salt-crusted sea bass instead, which turned out to be an excellent choice.

The presentation alone wowed me as the servers put on a show by charring the skin with a flame and removing the bones beside the table. It was almost as remarkable as the flavors, which were clean, subtly salty, and a little lemony.

Taberna Dos Mercadores (€€) – R. dos Mercadores 36, Porto, Portugal – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 12:30 pm to 10:30 pm

 

Peixe no Mercado

It doesn’t get much better than Bolhão’s Peixe no Mercado for top-notch seafood and an ambient setting.

The pale blue walls, chic wicker furniture, and dipped lighting made the dining area feel upscale but relaxed. However, the balcony area has a delightful, lively vibe when the weather’s just right.

Many of the dishes combined various fishy favorites, which allowed me to try multiple types of seafood options at once. I went for the hake and brown crab with fermented tomatoes.

One thing I love about hake is its super-soft texture, and this piece was no different. Because the hake was so mild with just a hint of sweetness, the acidic-like qualities of the brown crab felt like a burst of flavor. Both were enhanced by the addition of tangy tomatoes.

Peixe no Mercado (€€) – R. Formosa 322 Piso 3, 4000-249 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am, closed every Sunday

 

Conclusion

As far as seafood go, Porto restaurants could give pretty much any coastal city in Europe a run for its money. Between tasty shellfish caught fresh from the Atlantic Ocean and creative fish dishes, it’s little wonder Porto is home to some of the country’s best seafood!