Best restaurants in Portugal right now

The best restaurants in Portugal aren't just about Michelin Stars, although the country has plenty of those, food in Portugal is primarily super delicious, often innovative, focused on fresh and local ingredients and, at its finest, very authentic.

So, what are the best restaurants in Portugal? From gourmet restaurants in Lisbon to beach bars in the Algarve, here's our round up of the top places to eat in Portugal right now. The information is straight from The Rough Guide to Portugal, your travel guide for Portugal.

1. The Yeatman Hotel, Porto

With two Michelin Stars, The Yeatman is one of the best restaurants in Portugal. Its dining room overlooks Porto's Ribeira district, fleets of waiters tend to you and the fish tasting menu is sublime. Try delicacies like sea urchin or tuna and turbot.

Every dish is paired with perfect wine and the restaurant's cellar is legendary. If you want to know more about the neighbourhood, take a look at our guide of the best areas to stay in Porto.

Where to stay in Porto

• For luxury stays: The Yeatman sits amid historic port wine lodges, offers infinity pools, a spa and a Michelin starred restaurant, as well as a world class wine cellar.
• For boutique stays: Guest House Douro is a super-cool waterfront B&B with a sharp sense of style throughout and rooms with river views or overlooking medieval streets.
• For budget stays: Rivoli Cinema Hostel fills a bright and airy townhouse with film-themed four-bed dorms and double rooms. Funky and communal with an outdoor roof terrace.

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Fresh seafood is a feature at The Yeatman in Porto © The Yeatman Hotel

2. A Casa Guedes, Porto

A Casa Guedes feeds you for less than The Yeatman, but you won't find a tastier pork sandwich anywhere. It's a humble place, more café bar than restaurant, which sits next to Porto’s Jardim de Marquês de Oliveira in historic Ribeira.

Where to stay in Ribeira

• For riverfront stays: The 1872 River House offers quaintly designed rooms with views, monsoon showers and chandeliers, on the River Douro in the heart of Ribeira.
• For good value stays: InPatio Guest House is a bargain for the location and sense of style. It sits close to Porto Cathedral in the oldest part of the Ribeira district.
• For boutique stays: Pestana Vintage Porto is the four-star hotel on Porto's medieval walls. Its restaurant sits on a raised terrace above the river lit in the evening by the wall's candles.

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3. Mini Bar, Lisbon is one of the best restaurants in Portugal

Michelin-Star restaurants in Lisbon don't come better than Mini Bar run by Michelin-Star chef José Avillez and tucked into Art Deco Teatro de São Luis. It serves a suitably theatrical menu, so think seaweed ice-cream cones filled with tuna tartare or ‘exploding’ olives.

Each course is served in a series of memorable 'acts', another dramatic nod to the restaurant's location. And if you want to hang out after dinner, Bairro Alto is the best area to stay in Lisbon for nightlife.

Where to stay in Lisbon

• For luxury stays: for five-star luxury surrounded by Lisbon's historic attractions, try Altis Belem which also comes with a Michelin starred restaurant, swimming pools and rooftop sundeck.
• For boutique stays: go for charming boutiqueBairro Alto Hotel set in an 18th century building in the heart of the lively district and known for its award winning restaurant.
• For comfortable stays: affordable, three-star comfort is the signature at Hotel Dom Carlos Park, off Praça Marquês de Pombal. Rooms are fair-sized and spread over eight floors.

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Mini Bar, Lisbon is one of the best restaurants in Portugal © Paulo Barata

4. Midori, Penha Longa, Sintra

Japanese Midori was the first ethnic restaurant in Portugal to be awarded a Michelin Star and you'll find it in Sintra. Choose a seven or nine-course tasting menu for delicacies like mackerel tataki with crispy tomato and gazpacho, turbot with bell pepper nasu dengaku and smoked tuna nigiri .

Always leave room for sake jelly after dinner and think about staying overnight in World Heritage Sintra. It ranks on our list of best things to do in Portugal and is also the most visited site in the entire country. Alternatively, take a guided day trip to Sintra from Lisbon.

Where to stay in Sintra

• For authentic stays: renovated 18th century Chalet Saudade features quirky original fittings and rooms are of varying sizes, it's worth paying a little extra for one with a garden view.
• For family stays: Hotel Sintra Jardim has soaring ceilings, a substantial garden with a swimming pool and giant rooms can easily so it’s great for families.
• For budget stays: Moon Hill Hostel has friendly staff, stylish decor and a range of contemporary rooms from ensuite doubles with a view of the castle to tidy dorms with bunk beds.

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One of the best restaurants in Portugal is Japanese Midori © Midori

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5. Noélia & Jerónimo, Cabanas, Algarve

Always book ahead for Noélia & Jeronimo, because this waterfront restaurant just outside Faro is very popular. The main reason is the creative flair chef Noélia brings to traditional Portuguese ingredients.

The results are divine enough to attract many of Portugal's top chefs and we highly recommend the octopus fritters and John Dory with coriander rice. Find out more about Faro in our Algarve Portugal: a year round guide.

Where to stay in Faro

• For luxury stays: AP Eva Senses is the Faro's top hotel, offering bright rooms with balconies looking across to the old town or the marina. There’s also a rooftop pool and restaurant.
• For budget stays: Hotel Adelaide offers some of the best-value rooms in Faro all with en-suite bathrooms and cable TV. There’s also an airy breakfast-room-cum-snack-bar.
• For convenient stays: four-star Hotel Faro Centro offers minimalist rooms with views over town, it also features a sunny roof terrace with its own restaurant and fine marina views.

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6. Rei das Praias, Praia da Caneiros, Algarve

Go to Portimão off-season and the chances are you'll have pretty Praia da Caneiros to yourself. You won't be able to miss Rei das Praias, the restaurant on stilts, right on the beach. It's an upmarket place, despite the quirky architecture and serves the most flawless Algarve seafood.

Start off with oysters or clams in garlic sauce then move on to succulent fish baked in salt or opt for fish cataplana - seafood broth made in a giant wok. If you want more peaceful Algarve beaches see our guide to undiscovered Portugal: best places to get off the tourist trail.

Where to stay in Portimao

• For luxury stays: Set in a stately historical building, five-star Bela Vista offers boutique accommodation on the cliffs of Praia da Rocha with direct access to the beach.
• For budget stays: Made Inn Portimão offers modern rooms close to Portimão Train Station, shops and restaurants. It also features a terrace with panoramic views of the village.
• For beach stays: Hotel Alcaide is quiet hotel in pretty gardens, it features an outdoor swimming pool, with sun loungers and is only 200 m from Praia do Vau.

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Rei das Praias on Praia da Caneiros in Algarve © Rei das Praias

7. Choupana, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Alentejo

In Portugal location alone can make a restaurant special. Head to Choupana in Vila Nova de Milfontes as proof. When the tide’s up here, you're at one with the Atlantic. Waves crash against the waterside terrace. And catch of the day is prepared outside, on a grill. So the food's as fresh as the sea.

Sunsets on the side at this restaurant are gorgeous too and it's easy to see why Alentejo features in our what are the 10 best beaches in Portugal guide. For more regional flavours take a look at Alentejo wine and food explored on a local tasting tour.

Where to stay in Vila Nova de Milfontes

• For eco stays: Herdade Do Freixial eco-lodge features an infinity pool with River Mira views and saunas and therapeutic massages are the highlights of its wellness centre.
• For beach stays: set in South West Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, HS Milfontes Beach has a restaurant terrace overlooking Mira River Bay Beach, 100 m away.
• For family stays: Duna Parque Beach Club offers self catering suites with a balcony only a 5-minute walk away from the beach, the resort features both indoor and outdoor pools.

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8. Adega 25 Abril, Beja, Alentejo

Tapas isn’t a big deal in Portugal but you shouldn't miss the tapas-like starters at Adega 25 Abril in Beja. Think pungent sheep’s cheese, chouriço and small black olives, all served with incredible, crusty local bread. Order a selection, then add red Alentejan wine.

You might not need a main course, however, Adega's grilled meats are also very good. If you want more Alentejo authenticity, explore 9 of the best pousadas in Portugal.

Where to stay in Beja

• For budget stays: Bejense is Beja’s oldest hotel now transformed into a lovely, welcoming space with boutique touches. Contemporary rooms have large bathrooms.
• For sumptious stays: Pousada de São Francisco is set in a 13th century convent. Rooms are plush reinventions of former nuns' cells and there's a pool, sauna and Turkish bath.
• For boutique stays: Aljana Guest House Beja offers a range of rooms all with air conditioning. The guest house also features an outdoor swimming pool and a shared lounge.

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Ready for a trip to Portugal? Check out the Rough Guide to Portugal. If you travel further in Portugal read more about the best time to go and the best places to visit. For inspiration use our Portugal itineraries or speak to our local experts. A bit more hands on, learn about getting there, getting around the country and where to stay once you are there. And don't forget to buy travel insurance before you go.

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