Monday Dinner in Braga

Cruz Sobral ★ 4.5

Centro Historico · Campo das Hortas 7-8, 4700-210 Braga

Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-22:30, Sun 12:00-15:30

Operating since 1926 and run by the Cruz Sobral family's third and fourth generations. The kitchen in Campo das Carvalheiras slow-cooks everything.

Tip: Small dining room. Book ahead for weekends or arrive at noon.

Restaurante Tia Isabel ★ 4.4

Maximinos · Avenida Frei Bartolomeu Mártires 32, 4715-385 Braga

Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-15:00 and 19:30-22:30, Sun 12:00-15:00

Tia Isabel is the restaurant Braga residents send family to on Sundays. Papas de sarrabulho, stuffed bacalhau and roast kid are kitchen staples.

Arcoense ★ 4.3

Maximinos · Rua Engenheiro José Justino de Amorim 96, 4715-023 Braga

Hours: Mon-Sat 12:30-22:30, Sun 12:30-15:00

Founded in the 1970s on the outskirts of Braga, Arcoense built its reputation on certified Bisaro pork, Minho-style cod and padeiro-style roast.

Tip: Located six kilometres from the centre. Reservations almost essential at weekends.

Casa de Pasto das Carvalheiras ★ 4.2

Centro Historico · Rua D. Afonso Henriques 8, 4700-030 Braga

Hours: Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00 and 19:00-00:00, Sat-Sun 12:00-00:00

A sharing-table restaurant with azulejo floors and orange walls in the historic quarter, serving duck rice, cod and roast kid. Every Wednesday brings Pasto.

Colher d'Pau Taberna ★ 4.2

Centro Historico · Largo da Praça Velha 17, 4700-031 Braga

Hours: Mon-Sat 19:00-00:00, Sun closed

A traditional Minho taberna near Largo da Praca Velha specialising in bacalhau preparations and regional dishes. Homemade sauces and regional produce.

Casa Estarolas ★ 4.0

Maximinos · Rua de São Victor 93, 4710-439 Braga

Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-15:00 and 19:30-22:00, Sun 12:00-15:00

A traditional neighbourhood tavern near the Church of São Victor. Traditional, honest and homemade, Casa Estarolas is where locals eat on Sundays for roast.

BLB Bifanaria ★ 4.0

Maximinos · Largo da Senhora a Branca 95, 4710-443 Braga

Hours: Mon-Thu 12:00-15:00 and 18:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-15:00 and 17:00-00:00

Three Braga friends opened BLB in 2015 to make the festival bifana a year-round affair. Located in Maximinos. Kitchen leans portuguese sandwich bar.

Kartilho ★ 4.0

Centro Historico · Rua D. Paio Mendes 10, 4700-424 Braga

Hours: Daily 12:30-15:00 and 19:00-23:00

Kartilho blends pasture and vineyard: mature beef cuts and a wine list deep in Minho and Douro. The wood-grilled octopus is a popular concession.

Taberna do Migaitas ★ 4.0

Centro Historico · Rua Dom Gonçalo Pereira 39, 4700-032 Braga

Hours: Mon-Sat 12:00-15:00 and 19:30-23:00, Sun closed

A well-regarded traditional tavern next to the Sé cathedral with Minho standards and a weekly menu driven by the municipal market. Priced at €€.

Retrokitchen ★ 3.9

Cividade · Rua do Anjo 96, 4700-305 Braga

Hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00-22:00; Sunday 10:00-18:00

Tânia and Rui filled a Cividade street-level space with vintage crockery and family recipes. The homemade soups are a reason to visit at lunch;

Taberna Belga ★ 3.9

Centro Historico · Rua Cónego Luciano Afonso dos Santos 1, 4700-371 Braga

Hours: Daily 12:00-23:00

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.

Livraria ★ 3.9

Centro Historico · Rua Dom Diogo de Sousa 127, 4700-422 Braga

Hours: Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00 and 19:00-23:00, Sat 12:30-15:30 and 19:00-23:00, Sun closed

Inside a restored bookshop on Rua do Souto, Livraria keeps its shelves and menu thoughtfully curated. Comfort cooking in a room that smells of print.

Caldo Entornado ★ 3.8

Centro Historico · Rua de São João 8, 4700-325 Braga

Hours: Mon-Thu 12:30-15:00, Fri-Sat 12:30-15:00 and 18:00-02:00, Sun 12:30-15:00

Near the cathedral, Caldo Entornado focuses on traditional, comforting Portuguese dishes without fuss. The caldo verde is the standard by which the kitchen.