I was lucky enough to spend a week meandering through Porto's cobbled streets, and sampling the best fish in the city! I booked the surprise trip for my partner's birthday in August, and it was very much a highlight of my summer this year. I am so grateful for being able to travel frequently and experience different cultures and traditions 💫
In this blog post, I’ll share the highlights of our adventure, from breathtaking viewpoints to wandering through Porto’s charming alleyways and indulging in unforgettable meals by the Douro River.
Manteigaria - Pastel del Nata
It wouldn't be a trip to Porto, without an unhealthy amount of Pastel del natas being consumed. These little tarts have me in a chokehold. I fell in love when I first tried one in Lisbon last year, so when I knew I was returning to Porto this year - I knew I had to stock up! Sure, you can pick up a pastry anywhere but the Manteigaria ones are a Portuguese staple.
Consumed best with a black coffee!
Time Out Market Porto
You can't visit Porto without visiting the famous Time Out Market, here you will find a range of food vendors, ranging from authentic Portuguese food, fresh seafood, burgers, and pizzas. We decided to go with a few sharing plates: the steak sandwich(tender and full of flavour) with potato chips, prawns in garlic & fresh herbs sauce, and grilled sardines—a true Portuguese classic.
Of course, we returned to the market! This time we had to try the famous smash burgers from Brusco—made with 60-day-aged beef, two perfectly crispy patties, cheese, onion, cucumber, ketchup, and mustard. So simple, yet unbelievably delicious. I’m fully behind the Time Out Market hype because it’s honestly fantastic. Whether you’re after a quick bite with friends or a more special date night, the market has so many options to match your vibe.
It’s a place that’s got something for everyone, and I can already see why people keep coming back!
Pizzeria Bella Mia
Ok, I know what you're thinking.. why go to Portugal and not order Portuguese food? Well, majority of Portuguese cuisine contains pork and I don't eat pork anymore. This recommendation came from my good pal Issie (shout to you!), conveniently located right next to our Air Bnb, this quaint little pizzeria made for the perfect date night. I won't lie to you, I love a white pizza (slightly controversial I know!) and Bella Mia didn't disappoint with their Woodland Truffle sourdough pizza, with mozzarella, spinach, mushrooms, and truffle oil.
Bella Mia is a little gem with an outdoor seating area on a quiet street where you can sit back, sip on a glass of Portuguese vinho verde, and people-watch.
Bellissimo 💌
Bolhao Market
One of my favorite things about being on holiday is visiting a food market. There's something special about soaking up the atmosphere and tasting fresh, local ingredients.
Mercado do Bolhão, Porto’s oldest and most popular food market, is filled with local vendors selling everything from fresh seafood to cured meats, cheese, and homemade pastries. There's a real local buzz here, it's also very affordable and less commercialised than Time Out Market - so if that's more your thang.. come on down.
Holy Sandwich
The holy grail of all sandwich places in Porto, the creme de la creme if you will. We stumbled upon Holy Sandwich on our first night, and I couldn’t have imagined a better welcome to Porto’s food scene! Don't let the 80's American diner style put you off. There's a reason why Holy Sandwich is trending on Tiktok and the food is bloody delicious.
Don’t just take my word for it, if you’re in Porto, Holy Sandwich is a must-try! Whether you’re craving comfort food with a twist or just need a break from traditional Portuguese flavours, you won't be disappointed.
Zenith
Okay, can we all just take a moment for this acai bowl? It was sensational and tbh, I am thinking about booking another flight to Porto just to devour it again. There's just something so nice about fresh fruit on holiday, and why does it always taste so much better than in the UK? Riddle me that..
Zenith is definitely a bit of a social media hotspot, however, it did live up to its name, we stopped by for brunch to fill up before an exciting day of exploring the city. I would recommend arriving between 10-11am before it gets too busy as you might be waiting a little while for a table.
Dom Luis I Bridge
Is it even a trip to Porto if you don't visit the Dom Luis I Bridge? Arguably, one of the most iconic tourist attractions in Porto, and for good reason! The views from the bridge are breathtaking - head down there in the evening to catch the sunset. Built in the 19th century by one of Gustave Eiffel's students, this iconic bridge spans the Douro River, connecting Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia and providing fantastic panoramic views.
Duoro Valley Wine Tour
Now, you cannot visit Porto - the world-renowned home of Port without going on a wine tour. Admittedly, I am not the biggest fan of wine, but when in Rome. We learnt all about the wine production process and sampled some of the best wines in the region, all whilst sailing down the Douro and taking in its spectacular beauty. We booked this tour via Get Your Guide, and whilst the prices might seem steep, I think it's good value for everything included.
The tour started at around 9am, meeting at the Living Tours agency, near Sao Bento station. We opted to pay extra for a slightly smaller tour, as we wanted it to feel more authentic - plus the added bonus of getting to know the people in our tour group. The only thing that let the tour down a little bit, was the lunch! We were told that we would have lunch by 1:30pm and we didn't end up eating until 3:30pm, after being a few glasses of wine deep.. its safe to say that we were all very tipsy and the hanger took over!. We expected the lunch to be substantial, but the portion sizes were tiny - so definitely keep this in mind when booking this tour, to bring lots of snacks with you as it is a long day.
Still not convinced?
Well, I guess you will just have to check it out for yourself and see what all the fuss is about!
Thanks for reading my latest post! I hope it’s inspired a little wanderlust and maybe some cravings too.
