Soup may not seem like the ideal dish to eat in the throes of sun-drenched Porto, but caldo verde is widely considered to be one of the region’s most popular eats. Made from kale, potatoes, olive oil, garlic and occasionally Portuguese chouriço, caldo verde is typically eaten with a side of broa cornbread for dipping.
Where to find it: You will find caldo verde as an appetiser on many menus throughout Porto, but a local favourite has to be Café Santiago, which is famous for its big flavours and casual atmospheres.
For a true taste of Porto and of Portugal, you must sample cozido à portuguesa, a hearty stew that is as close to a national dish as any in the country. Comprising of various cuts of meat paired with seasonal vegetables, cozido à portuguesa has many regional variations, and it is possible to find some with seafood in Porto.
Where to find it: As with caldo verde, cozido à portuguesa is a mainstay of many traditional Portuguese restaurants in Porto, so you won’t have trouble finding it. For an authentic take, try A Cozinha do Manel, whose blue and white décor provides a classic backdrop with which to try this iconic dish.
If you want to gain a thorough understanding of Porto’s fresh and rustic seafood, bacalhau com natas is the perfect introduction. Atlantic cod is the most popular fish in Portuguese seafood, and the fish markets of Porto teem with it. Though bacalhau is often grilled or boiled, the best way to enjoy it is ‘com natas’ – meaning baked with cream.
Where to find it: The best place to try bacalhau com natas is Adega Típica de São João, a charming restaurant serving up some of Porto’s best cod. Famed for its hospitality and traditional cooking methods, this is food done right.
An iconic part of Porto’s street food scene, francesinha is a calorific local favourite introduced in the 1960s. Essentially a twist on a classic French sandwich, francesinha comprises of a sandwich filled with four or five different meats, layered with cheese and covered in a beer-based sauce.
Where to find it: Every eatery that serves francesinha claims that theirs is the best, so it’s all down to preference and following where the locals go. For the most authentic take on the dish, try the aptly-named Francesinha Café on the Rua de Alegria.