Hi,
My family of five will be in Portugal for 3 weeks (with bases in Lisbon, Porto, Fatima, and the Sao Martinho do Porto area.) We are big foodies, but not looking to break the bank for good food! We are looking for recommendations for your favorite eateries serving authenic Portugese cuisine, just not too fine/expensive.
We'll also be in Santiago de Compostella for three nights, so if you have recommendation there, please feel free to let us know your favorites.
We enjoyed Restaurante A Gina in Lisbon. Our tour group members ate there a couple nights. Price $$$. Large servings to share. Our favorite wine was Esteva red Douro. Our waiter was "Frank." He welcomed us back each time and always gave us a complimentary glass of Port after dinner. There were many families enjoying the food and ambience. Reservations necessary.
A strong ditto for A Gina. We dined there several times. After my daughter sprained her ankle two good looking waiters carried her in! (She said the pain was almost worth it!) The kabobs, both meat and fish are delicious and huge, so share. The fresh fish, simply grilled was great. How they get the potatoes to taste so good is beyond me. Another fun place is Bonjardim http://partaste.com/restaurants-markets/bonjardim-lisboa-lisbon-portugal/. The specialty is peri-peri chicken. It’s delicious, just be cautious with the per-peri at first! And for grazing hard to beat the Time Out Market https://www.timeoutmarket.com/lisboa/. And, if you really are foodies and want the genuine item, try a food tour with Culinary Backstreets. This is all Lisbon. Our favorite meal in Porto was at Taylor-Fladgate for lunch. Not cheap.
I second the recommendation for Bonjardim and Time Out Market. I also recommend Cervejaria Ramiro for fresh seafood and fish. Recommended by the late Anthony Bourdain. Cost was 86 euros for 2 people, including wine and dessert.
In Lisbon, Ze Da Mouraria was our favorite by far. It gets very crowded, but we ate there for lunch as soon as it opened and got right in.
Thank you! I'm bringing all your suggestions on the trip with me! We leave next Thursday! Keep the suggestions coming!!!
We also liked Bonjardim--chicken is the specialty-excellent and not expensive.
In Porto: Almost impossible to find real portuguese food in the city center. However, Palmeira, at Rua Sá da Bandeira, is still the real thing.
But, not that far, you have:
A litle bit more outside: Tia Aninhas, I don't have the slightest idea how to get there, sorry. Also unexpensive.
For fresh fish and seafood, you should go to Matosinhos (Metro, bus 500, bus 501) at Rua Heróis de França. Or to Afurada (on the other side of the river, a kind of taxi boat can be taken at bus stop "gas". Bus 500).
And that's all I can remember know.
Thank you Helena! Yes; I am dying to try a francesinha!!! Sounds delicious!
