Traditional Minho€€Centro Historico
A well-regarded traditional tavern next to the Sé cathedral, driven by the municipal market. The weekly menu rotates Minho standards including arroz de pica no chão and bacalhau à Braga.
Signature: Bacalhau à Braga, Arroz de pica no chão, Caldo verde
Order: The chef's daily Minho suggestion at lunch, often arroz de pica no chão or a bacalhau preparation depending on the week.
Contemporary Portuguese€€€Centro Historico
Open since 1998 and Michelin-referenced since 2013, Cozinha da Sé works rustic-modern Minho cooking from a central location in the historic quarter. Wine-lined walls, intimate dining rooms.
Signature: Cabrito assado à moda do Minho, Fish cataplana, Bacalhau assado no forno com batata a murro
Order: Cabrito assado à moda do Minho: the slow-roasted kid that has been on the menu since the house opened in 1998.
Tapas and Portuguese petiscos€€Centro HistoricoTuesday to Sunday 18:00-23:00
A retro wine and tapas room in a 350-year-old building in Campo das Hortas. Affordable petiscos with Minho and Douro wines poured by the glass in a vaulted.
Signature: Beef stew petisco, Shrimp tapas, Regional cheese selection
Order: Beef stew with crusty bread: slow clay-pot cooking, dark and deeply flavoured.
Vegetarian and Portuguese€€Centro HistoricoMon-Sat 12:00-14:30 and 19:00-22:30
A vegetarian and vegan restaurant near the cathedral in the old city. Half the menu is vegan on request and the desserts are entirely egg-free.
Signature: Vegetarian stroganoff, Mushroom risotto, Feijoada vegan
Order: Mushroom risotto with seasonal Minho fungi: the best vegetarian main on the menu and a reliable order.
Portuguese petiscos and charcuterie boards€€Centro Historico
A tiny petiscos and wine room a block from the Sé, built around custom boards of Portuguese, Spanish, French and Italian cheeses and cured meats. Small kitchen also turns out octopus and prawn tapas; reservations recommended.
Signature: Tábua mista de queijos e enchidos, Ceninha de polvo, Gambas à Tábuas
Order: A tábua mista of Portuguese cheeses and cured meats with a carafe of vinho verde: the house format, shared across the small dining room.
Contemporary Portuguese€€€Maximinos
Michelin Guide-listed and led by chef Hugo Sousa, Esperanca Verde offers modern, produce-led tasting menus at a serious level a short way off the ring road.
Signature: Tasting menu Irreverencia (6 moments), Tasting menu Entre o Campo e o Mar (9 moments), Seasonal land and sea plates
Order: The six-moment Irreverencia tasting menu: chef Hugo Sousa's modern Minho cooking, with the longer nine-moment menu for a fuller meal.