The 6 Best Restaurants in Porto for Special Occasions

Whether it’s a wedding, an intimate dinner, or a celebration, Porto offers some of the best restaurants for a special occasion in all of Portugal. From Grand Hotels with Michelin-starred restaurants like The Yeatman or Vila Foz to trendy wine bars like Vinum, you’ll find great eateries to fit any occasion.

If you want to include a special celebration as part of your next Porto food tour, you might want to consider one of the following.

The Yeatman

Photo credit: The Yeatman

The Yeatman Hotel and Restaurant in Vila Nova de Gaia offers a refined dining experience. It’s arguably my top pick If you’re looking for a spot for your engagement dinner, a proposal, or a similarly romantic meal.

The ambiance of the Yeatman’s dining room is unmatched in luxury and refinement to reflect the five-star hotel. It boasts stunning panoramic views of the Douro River as well as the historic cityscape of Porto.

During the day the massive windows let in the perfect amount of natural light. However, I think for a special occasion, a sunset or evening reservation at the Yeatman is best. Watching the city light up as dusk sets in, is the perfect atmosphere for a romantic dinner. 

The Yeatman restaurant is overseen by Chef Ricardo Costa, who has proudly earned two Mechlin stars. The service is impeccable, with menu recommendations and wine pairing overseen by the in-house master sommelier Elisabete Fernandes.

Chef Costa changes the Yeatman’s menu based on the season and the quality of the local produce. Though it often includes classic Portuguese seafood dishes like scarlet prawns, codfish, and clams. Sometimes they feature small plate tapas as part of a tasting menu that highlights local Iberian pork or veal.

The last time I had a special occasion dinner at the Yeatman, I had an Atlantic turbot dish, that was perfectly pan-roasted and served with roasted potatoes and sauteed asparagus. I loved how the lemon garnish accented the natural flavors of all the elements. While still being light enough for me to enjoy my time with my special dinner companion.

I think the Yeatman is one of the best Porto restaurants for a special romantic occasion like proposing, a honeymoon dinner, or celebrating a first anniversary.

The Yeatman (€€€€) Rua do Choupelo, Vila Nova de Gaia, 4400-088, Portugal – Open on Tuesday to Saturday from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM.

Vila Foz

Photo credit: Vila Foz

The Vila Foz Hotel & Spa is also home to the Vila Foz Restaurant which is one of the best places to host a high-end dining special occasion. The dining room is essentially a renovated 19th-century mansion overlooking the rugged beaches of Praia do Homem do Leme.

The dining room is festooned with opulent décor with gilded accents, decorative 19th-century decorative and enormous mirrors. There’s also a faint whiff of sea air, which reminds you that there’s a lot of high-end seafood available.  

The Vila Foz restaurant is the flagship of Michelin-starred Chef Arnaldo Azevedo. His carefully curated menu changes with what’s best and in-season, while celebrating the flavors of Portugal. He does this through two themed dining options that he calls Novo Mundo and Maresia.

Maresia focuses on classical Portuguese seafood dishes that are refined to reflect the best the Atlantic waters have to offer. Whereas Chef Azevedo uses Novo Mundo to create a tasting menu that explores global fusion with distinctively Portuguese twists.

If you’re a foodie, and you want to have a special dining experience with someone, or perhaps an impressive first date, I recommend getting a reservation for “The Kitchen Seat.” This is a two-person setting where you get to watch the meal being prepared and interact directly with the chef.

The last time I was there with a special someone, we enjoyed several dishes featuring carabineros. Every bite highlighted the red prawns in different ways. I especially loved how a little squirt of lemon on a Portuguese-inspired shrimp scampi brought out the briny flavor of the sea.

Our dining experience was made extra special by Chef Azevedo explaining to us just how rare Carabineros are. Before then I didn’t realize that they’re only found in the waters of Portugal, Spain, and Morrocco.

Vila Foz (€€€€) – Avenida De Montevideu 236, Porto, 4150-516, Portugal – Open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Closed on Sunday and Monday.

VINUM

Photo credit: VINUM

As part of Graham’s Port Lodge, VINUM is a wine bar and restaurant with great food for a special occasion. Especially if you or someone else loves wine with a meal or enjoying port wine after a meal.

Graham’s Port Lodge maintains its 19th-century wine cellars with classic vintages. It’s also one of the best port wine cellars in all of Portugal. With vintages from wineries throughout the Douro Valley and Dao regions of Portugal.

There’s plenty of opportunity to explore their extensive wine list as part of a special meal. Then you can enjoy a slowly sipped glass of port wine after dinner, while taking in the stunning views of the Douro River.

On a recent visit to Vinum, I met an old friend of mine who is a passionate oenophile. We explored the extensive wine list while catching up. It was a great opportunity to slowly enjoy wine and good conversation without feeling like we were pressured to surrender our table for the next people waiting.

We then split an order of seafood risotto, which paired nicely with an arinto wine from Lisbon. I thought the Arinto did a great job of accenting the seafood notes of the risotto while cutting through the melted cheese garnish.

Vinum (€€€) – Rua do Agro 141, 4400-003 Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto – Open every day from noon to 1:00 AM.

Pedro Lemos

Photo credit: Pedro Lemos

In the heart of Porto’s charming Foz do Douro district, Pedro Lemos offers an elegant yet intimate setting, that’s perfect for special occasions. It’s just across the road from the Douro River, offering stunning sunset views to go with the stunning Portuguese cuisine.

Pedro Lemos is housed inside a beautifully restored 19th-century building. While renovated to modern standards, it still shows off the traditional architecture of Porto’s past. This gives the dining area an ambiance that’s warm as well as refined. The strategic use of soft lighting and minimalist decor makes it a great spot for an intimate dinner.

However, there’s also a rooftop terrace that offers stunning views of Porto. With some clever timing, it’s a great place to have a stunning sunset dinner with a special someone. As the sun dips below the horizon, the lights of the city start to pop up all around you.

Pedro Lemos’ menu is deeply rooted in Portuguese cuisine. The specials focus on seasonal ingredients and what’s freshest at places like the Bolhão Mercado, then elevate them with innovative techniques. This includes a lot of dishes with octopus, tripe, Iberian pork, and locally caught fresh fish,

You can order a la carte, but I think the tasting menu is the best way to experience the local flavors. I particularly enjoyed the tenderness of the grilled Atlantic octopus. They’re usually tougher than Mediterranean octopus, and a splash of lemon woke up the flavors of the deep blue Atlantic.

Pedro Lemos (€€€€) – Rua do Ouro 258, 4150-554 Porto, Portugal – Open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch from 12:30 to 3:00 PM with dinner service from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

DOP

Photo credit: DOP

Located in the historic city center of Porto, DOP by Chef Rui Paula celebrates Portuguese food through the lens of modern elegance. If you have a friend or someone special who fancies themselves as a foodie, this is a great shared dining experience to have.

The ambiance is refined and sleek with clean lines and a minimalist design. The staggeringly large windows also tempt you to do a little people-watching as the vibrant street life of Porto moves by.

DOP’s menu focuses on Portuguese flavors with a modern twist. Everything is carefully crafted by Chef Rui Paula, who’s earned a Michelin star for his creative culinary approach.

The dishes he creates are locally sourced, with a strong focus on seasonal ingredients. The vibrant, bold colors and aromas remind you that we also eat with our eyes and other senses beyond just tastes.

The menu includes some tasting options and small plates as well as à la carte selections. Many of the specials center around classical Portuguese proteins like salt cod, octopus, and high-quality meats. The staff is ready with wine recommendations.

The first time I visited DOP, I had the bacalhau special. This salt cod dish is a cornerstone of Portuguese gastronomy. It was lightly steamed and served with vegetables, olive oil, and herbs. I appreciated how the steaming gave the salt cod delightful moistness and lightness.

DOP (€€€€) – Largo São Domingos 16, 4050-545 Porto, Portugal – Open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Closed on Sunday and Monday.

Ribeira Square

Photo credit: Ribeira Square

Ribeira Square is both a UNESCO World Heritage site and a vibrant hub filled with restaurants, that invite you to enjoy a memorable meal. The square is well-known for its lively atmosphere and stunning views of the Douro River. It’s less than half a mile from the Sao Bento train station, making it an easy place to meet up with a friend.

It exudes old-world charm with its colorful buildings, narrow streets, and energetic crowds. All without feeling too touristy, which I think is important when seeking out an authentic dining experience.  

I met an old friend there for a light meal. I started out with the special of the day, prawn and squid skewers that were lightly grilled. The flavor was both reminiscent of backyard kabobs, yet distinctly infused with Portuguese flavors and the brininess essence of fresh-caught seafood.  

Ribeira Square (€€) – Praça da Ribeira, 16, Porto, Portugal – Open Thursday to Monday from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Conclusion

Porto is a truly European city offering a wide range of restaurants suitable for any special occasion. If you’re looking for something elegant and romantic, the Yeatman and Vila Foz should be at the top of your list. If you want to have a nice meal while catching up with an old friend, Vinum or Ribeira Square will certainly suit the moment.

If you have a special occasion planned for your next Porto food tour, any one of these restaurants or others in our catalog is sure to fit the bill.