We visited Porto last spring, we stayed there 3 days and it was our last stop in our Portuguese trip. We started with Lisbon (I have a little guide here), then continued with Cascais, Sintra, Coimbra and Nazaré, and Porto felt like the perfect grand finale, a city full of character and life, layered history and incredibly good food.

Where we ate (and what we loved) in Porto

O Valentim was one of our first stops. Fresh fish cooked simply, on the street-side grill, with that unmistakable Atlantic flavor. It’s the kind of place where you sit down for lunch and end up staying longer than planned. They also make super nice desserts, I loved the Abade de Priscos pudding and the fresh pineapple, everything tastes honest and local. From there, you can take a relaxed walk to the Farolim and enjoy the sunset by the ocean.

For an authentic, affordable lunch where locals actually eat, Casa Expresso is a great option. You can try the traditional caldo verde soup, slow-cooked meat dishes and comforting chicken sandwiches. Nothing fancy, just good Portuguese food done right.

Of course, you can’t leave Porto without trying a francesinha. Many places serve it, but we had breakfast at Ruial Francesinhas where we ordered this super-loaded toast that was perfect for sharing. It was in a very typical local place, not super trendy, not polished, but very good and full of personality.

For a different vibe, grab a glass of wine and some tapas with a view over the bridge. Near the Luís I Bridge, at Arco das Verdades, you can sit with a simple drink, tapas, and enjoy one of the best views in the city, especially magical around golden hour.

Of course, Porto wines are everywhere, and there are also guided wine tours, but we discovered a super interesting one by Churchill Lodge while having dinner at Voyager 1 Bar. It was one of those unexpectedly cozy evenings: comfy atmosphere, great staff, and a relaxed dinner.

If you want a green break, Base Porto is such a nice area to relax with a cold drink. It’s a little oasis where you can sit under the olive trees and slow down for a bit. And if you’re hungry nearby, grab a simple snack from Casa Guedes before continuing to explore the city.

Coffee and sweets in Porto

I’ll continue with coffee and sweets, because Porto does those very well too.

Miba Bakery has super nice pastries and good coffee, it’s the ideal place for a slow morning, it was also near our Airbnb, what a lovely combo.

SO Coffee Roasters has a younger, more modern vibe. They take specialty coffee seriously, and it’s a great stop if you care about origins, roasting and a properly made flat white.

For one of the best views, go to My Coffee. Have your coffee there, then cross the bridge at sunset and join the locals in Jardim do Morro. It’s such a simple ritual, sitting on the grass, watching the sun go down over the rooftops but it becomes one of those core travel memories.

And of course, pastel de nata is everywhere like the delicious ones at Castro, but a real discovery for us in Porto was the gelato at Gelateria Portuense. We went there a few times and honestly, all the flavors we tried were amazing.

A bit of culture in between bites

Beyond food, Porto is stunning.

The Porto Cathedral is a must, with its impressive presence overlooking the city. São Bento Station is another highlight even if you’re not taking a train, go inside and look at the azulejo panels. The Church of Saint Ildefonso and Igreja do Carmo are also worth visiting, especially if you love architecture and tiles. Porto has this way of blending grandeur and decay in a very poetic manner.

Porto felt warm, flavorful, and deeply authentic. It’s a city where you walk a lot, eat even more, drink good wine, and end the day watching the sunset over the river. And that’s exactly how it should be.