Casa Estarolas is a traditional minho restaurant in Maximinos, Braga.
A traditional neighbourhood tavern near the Church of São Victor. Traditional, honest and homemade, Casa Estarolas is where locals eat on Sundays for roast.
Signature dishes: Arroz de pato, Bacalhau à Braga, Papas de sarrabulho
Must order: Papas de sarrabulho on Sundays: the thick corn-and-pork porridge that represents Minho Sunday cooking at its most direct.
Address: Rua de São Victor 93, 4710-439 Braga
Three Braga friends opened BLB in 2015 to make the festival bifana a year-round affair. The wood-and-tile room with hand-painted lover's-scarf motifs serves.
Signature: Bifana clássica, Rojões, Moelas
Order: Bifana clássica: marinated pork in a francesinha-spiced sauce inside a crusty roll, served with a cold fino.
Taberna Belga runs two rooms in the centre and has become the address for francesinhas and Belgian-influenced dishes paired with local and Belgian craft beer.
Signature: Francesinha, Belgian-style beer snacks, Craft beer pairings
Order: Francesinha: the Braga interpretation with house cheese sauce and spiced tomato-beer gravy, served with fries.
Operating since 1926 and run by the Cruz Sobral family's third and fourth generations. The kitchen in Campo das Carvalheiras slow-cooks everything.
Signature: Wood-oven roasted meats, Bacalhau à Braga, Arroz de pato
Order: Wood-oven roasted meats: the Cruz family has used the same wood-fired oven since 1926 and it shows in the crust on everything.
Tip: Small dining room. Book ahead for weekends or arrive at noon.
A refined Portuguese table in central Braga: seasonal tasting plates and classics with careful plating and a wine list heavy on Minho producers.
Signature: Bacalhau confit, Seasonal tasting plates
Order: Bacalhau confitado with roasted garlic: a quieter, more refined take on Braga's favourite fish, finished with good olive oil.
A retro wine and tapas room in a building over 350 years old near Campo das Hortas. Petiscos paired with affordable Minho and Vinho Verde pours.
Signature: Beef stew petisco, Shrimp tapas, Regional cheese selection
Order: Beef stew with crusty bread: slow clay-pot cooked, dark and deeply flavoured.
Three Braga friends opened BLB in 2015 to make the festival bifana a year-round affair. The wood-and-tile room with hand-painted lover's-scarf motifs serves.
Signature: Bifana clássica, Rojões, Moelas
Order: Bifana clássica: marinated pork in a francesinha-spiced sauce inside a crusty roll, served with a cold fino.
A traditional Minho taberna near Largo da Praca Velha specialising in bacalhau preparations and regional dishes. Homemade sauces and regional produce.
Signature: Bacalhau com broa, Rojões, Pataniscas de bacalhau
Order: Bacalhau com broa: salt cod baked under a cornbread crust, the contrast of soft fish and crunchy crust is the point of the dish.
