The Eight Best Tascas in Porto

Right in front of the Douro River, Adega Rio Douro is already a landmark in the city. With breathtaking views over the river, it is frequented mainly by locals, who come here to have a drink and taste delicacies such as bifanas (pork fillet sandwiches), iscas de bacalhau (diced cod), liver cooked in onions, and gizzards. The best day to visit is on Tuesday, when the traditional fado is sung.

Open since 1962, Cervejaria Gazela is a historic place, whose speciality, its hot dogs, has won several international awards. Made with fresh (and other) sausages, cheese and a special sauce, these hot dogs are to die for. In addition to the original location, in Travessa Cimo de Vila, you can also visit the new restaurant, in Rua de Entreparedes.

Casa Guedes’ ham sandwiches, with meat that melts in your mouth, mixed with the delicious Serra da Estrela cheese, are some of the most famous snacks in the city. The original restaurant, in Praça dos Poveiros, grew with a second more modern location, almost next door. It also has a pleasant rooftop. To stay true to the theme of this tour, we suggest you choose the original tavern and sit at the counter.

Known for its smoked meat and the Lamego ham, Casa Louro is a century-old house where you can eat the best ham and drink good Baião wines in a bowl. Although ham sandwiches are the speciality of the house, pataniscas (codfish fritters), fish escabeche (fish marinated and cooked in an acidic sauce) and rojões (seasoned pieces of pork loin) are equally delicious.

If you speak to a local, just say the word Conga to immediately confirm that they are the best bifanas in town. With over 35 years of history, this traditional space serves, in addition to the spicy and delicious bifanas, quails, papas de sarrabulho à Conga (shredded pork in gravy thickened with blood), hotdogs, caldo verde (traditional soup) and much more.

With over 30 years of existence, the Lareira was remodelled, now presenting itself with a more modern image, but preserving tradition. Here you can taste a variety of sausages from Trás-os-Montes, shank sandwiches with Queijo da Serra, chanfana (traditional goat stew) and pataniscas. To accompany, there is a good wine list with flavours from different national wine regions.

Don't be frightened by the name, Tasca da Badalhoca (Tavern of the Shank) has served delicious ham sandwiches since 1929, accompanied by a good fresh Espadal wine. You can also opt for roast beef sandwiches, alheira sandwiches (traditional sausage made with meats and bread) or bifanas. The original tavern is located at Rua Doutor Alberto Macedo, but there is another location downtown.

Venham Mais 5 and its delicious prego no pão, a sandwich made with sirloin steak and Queijo da Serra, is already a reference in the city. It has two pleasant terraces, where you can taste the pregos, or some tasty hotdogs, accompanied by a fine wine.
For starters, we recommend the grilled prawns or alheira and, to finish, the Chocolate Meringue.