The 6 Best Wine Bars in Porto

If there’s one thing I never tire of, it’s sampling Portuguese wines. The Portuguese are among the largest consumers of wine on the planet, so I’m pretty confident that you won’t be disappointed in the selection of wine bars in Porto.

The city has exquisite wine bars, including snug hideaways and elegant haunts, and most of my Porto food tours include a stop at some Porto wine bars. This should tell you all you need to know about how fond I’ve become of these charming taverns!

These are the best wine bars in Porto that any avid wine lover has to add to their list!

Wine Quay Bar

Photo credit: Wine Quay Bar

For Porto foods and even better wine, look no further than the Wine Quay Bar. A Ribeira hotspot perched along the Douro River, this is the perfect spot for any budding wine connoisseurs visiting Porto for the first time.

When I arrived at this cozy nook, I grabbed a seat along the quaint outdoor terrace, as I could hear the live music playing from down the street. As soon as I sat down, the waiter came over and suggested some wine and tapas pairings.

In all honesty, I couldn’t fault all the plates and wines I sampled here. Of all the server’s fantastic recommendations, though, the aged cheddar and Tawny port wine really stood out to me.

Both the cheese and wine had subtly nutty undertones. I especially loved how the saltiness of the flaky cheddar brightened up the port’s rich, dark fruit flavors.

Wine Quay Bar (€€) – Rua, Cais da Estiva 111, 4050-080 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, closed every Sunday

Prova

Photo credit: Prova

I’m a firm believer that there’s no better place for a wine tasting than at Prova in Ribeira. This Porto wine bar doubles as a wine shop, and the sommelier here is among the most knowledgeable I’ve ever met.

For somewhere with such an illustrious reputation, I was surprised at how relaxed and low-key it was. The cave-like walls, golden lighting, and background jazz music made this place feel warm and romantic.

A group of us came here and decided to share a charcuterie board as we sipped on a selection of exquisite local and European wines as part of our tasting. It was this experience that opened me up to Madeira wines, and I’ve been fanatical about Rainwater Madeiras ever since.

Made from the red Tinta Negra Mole grape, this wine had a refreshingly light finish and gentle hints of figs and nuts. All the smoky, fiery chorizo chunks were an especially lovely accompaniment, as the fruity nature of the wine mellowed the meat’s spicy kick.

Prova (€€) – R. de Ferreira Borges 86, 4050-252 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday and from Thursday to Sunday from 5:00 pm to 1:00 am, closed every Tuesday and Wednesday

Dogma Wine Bar

Photo credit: Dogma Wine Bar

I wish I’d discovered Dogma Wine Bar near Clérigos Tower sooner, as their line-up offerings from the Vinho Verde wine region are arguably the finest in the city.

It’s a small, narrow spot with just a few tables tucked among the plush patterned seats and low-hanging ambient lights. As snug as it is, there was such a vibrant atmosphere when I got here, and it felt as lively as any bar.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have too much time to spare when I got here, so I chose just one glass of wine based on the sommelier’s advice. He ran through the various Douro Valley and Vinho Verde wines that matched my tastes, and I chose an Alvarinho.

The bright acidity and citrus notes were a delight on my palette, and it had a crisp, mineral finish. Feeling peckish, I asked the sommelier for a quick snack to complement the wine. He suggested some grilled sardines and their savory flavor enhanced the wine’s hint of saltiness.

Dogma Wine Bar (€€) – Rua dos Caldeireiros 238, 4050-139 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, closed every Sunday

Capela Incomum

Photo credit: Capela Incomum

Capela Incomum‘s setting in a 19th-century chapel is a good enough reason to visit, but it’s the superb wines and tapas that keep customers coming back. 

I came across this Baixa establishment around the holiday season and was smitten by the adorable Christmas decorations. The interior was just as stunning, with polished wooden tables and homely furnishings laid out alongside a remarkably intact altar.

However, it’s not just the picturesque environment that makes it one of the best wine bars in Porto. Their extensive wine list has pages of terrific Portuguese wines, my favorite of which was the Touriga Franca rosé.

This particular wine comes from the Douro Valley, and I couldn’t get enough of the diversity of the flavor palette. There were touches of dark fruits and chocolate that contrasted with the earthy, coffee-like tones. 

Though I didn’t expect it to be such a tasty pairing, I thoroughly enjoyed sipping on this wine with the beef croquettes. While the croquettes were hearty and wholesome with their crunchy breadcrumbs and juicy, robust filling, the wine’s subtle sweetness lightened each bite.

Capela Incomum (€€) – 79-81, Travessa do Carregal 77, 4050-167 Porto, Portugal – Open every Monday to Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Thursday to Saturday from 4:00 pm to 12:00 am, closed every Sunday

Portologia – La Maison des Port

Photo credit: Portologia – La Maison des Port

Vila Nova de Gaia is the epicenter of Porto’s port wine scene, and Portologia – La Maison des Port is one of the top spots I’ve visited here.

Among the most buzzing wine bars on this list, it’s a great little spot when you’re looking for a change from the quieter wine lounges in the city. The staff’s knowledge of port wine was staggering, and there wasn’t a single question that was left unanswered. 

My first glass here turned out to be the wine I enjoyed the most. This Ruby port was bold red in color, yet it had a zingy, youthful taste with an undercurrent of spicy, berry flavors.

I loved teaming the port with some chunks of crumbly goat’s cheese. All of the tart and sharp flavors of the cheese were softened by the wine’s honeyish hues and smooth finish.

Portologia – La Maison des Port (€€) – R. Cândido dos Reis 106, 4050-513 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal – Open every Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, closed every Sunday

A Cave Do Bon Vivant

Photo credit: A Cave Do Bon Vivant

Just north of the Bolhão neighborhood is a superb natural wine bar called A Cave Do Bon Vivant.

Everything about this place, from the relaxing music and dim lighting to the warm green and brown color scheme, made it feel like the perfect hideaway. That’s before mentioning the expert staff, lengthy wine list, and delectable snacking plates.

I stuck to primary varieties from local wine regions at first before ending the night with some Lisbon wines, the most notable of which was the Arinto from the Valle de Capucha. This grape is grown just kilometers from the Atlantic coast, contributing to the wine’s tangy, clean flavors.

The sommelier advised me to combine this wine with a seafood dish, so I went for the crab ravioli. On its own, the blend of pillowy pasta and delicate crab meat already made for a beautifully balanced dish. Yet, the wine kicked it up a notch with its punchy apple notes and high acidity.

A Cave Do Bon Vivant (€€) – R. de Santa Catarina 763, 4000-454 Porto, Portugal – Closed every Monday and Sunday, open from Tuesday to Thursday from 5:00 pm to 12:00 am, and every Friday and Saturday from 5:00 pm to 2:00 am

Conclusion

The wine mecca of Douro Valley is less than two hours from Porto, so it’s hardly surprising to find so many sublime wine bars dotted throughout the city. As such, you’ll never need to venture too far in Porto to get your hands on some great wines!