Mal Amado is a bar in Centro Historico, Braga.
Opened in 2016 by childhood friends Tiago and Vitor, Mal Amado sits on the street of bars behind the cathedral with 12 craft beers on tap and around 100.
Tip: Ask what arrived this week in the rotating taps: the guest craft slots change every Tuesday and the team has strong curation instincts.
Address: Rua Dom Paio Mendes 87, 4700-424 Braga
The Belgian tavern of Braga: imported Belgian beers on tap and in bottles, a wide craft beer fridge and Braga's most beer-serious version of francesinha.
Tip: The francesinha here uses a deeper beer-based sauce than the Porto originals. Order the full version with fries and a Belgian Tripel.
The most atmospheric drinking space in Braga: a 350-year-old arched stone cellar offering vinho verde flights, Douro reds and charcuterie petiscos.
Tip: Order a vinho verde tasting flight of three producers for around €12. The cellar temperature keeps the wines at perfect serving temperature year-round without refrigeration.
In the Cividade neighbourhood, Barhaus occupies a room filled with vintage objects, concert posters and an eclectic selection of furniture. The natural wine.
Tip: Come on a Tuesday when the new natural wine rotation lands. The bar posts the new arrivals on Instagram and the queue for first pours is minimal early in the week.
The Braga taproom for Cerveja Letra, one of northern Portugal's most respected craft breweries. Twenty-three taps pour the full brewery range daily.
Tip: The Letra Black stout is the bartenders' recommendation for first-timers. The seasonal releases sell out: check their social media for the current limited tap.
The Belgian tavern of Braga: imported Belgian beers on tap and in bottles, a wide craft beer fridge and Braga's most beer-serious version of francesinha.
Tip: The francesinha here uses a deeper beer-based sauce than the Porto originals. Order the full version with fries and a Belgian Tripel.
The most atmospheric drinking space in Braga: a 350-year-old arched stone cellar offering vinho verde flights, Douro reds and charcuterie petiscos.
Tip: Order a vinho verde tasting flight of three producers for around €12. The cellar temperature keeps the wines at perfect serving temperature year-round without refrigeration.
A small cocktail bar in the Santa Bárbara area with a genuine speakeasy feel: low lighting, limited seats and carefully made classic cocktails nightly.
Tip: The owner makes everything himself. Tell him your flavour preferences and let him build something off-menu; the results consistently impress.
A late-night bar on Avenida Central that keeps the kitchen running until 04:00, making it the default last-stop option for night-shift workers.
Tip: After 02:00 this is one of the only places in Braga still serving food. The nachos and hotdogs are adequate after a long night.
