Traditional Portuguese€€CividadeMonday 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;
Signature: Daily specials board, Homemade soups, Minho meat mains
Order: The dish of the day: changes daily, always Portuguese and priced for the neighbourhood.
Traditional Portuguese€€Centro HistoricoTue-Sun 12:00-15:00 and 19:00-22:00
A dependable tavern in the historic centre with rustic atmosphere and daily specials strong on Minho standards. Generous portions at honest prices.
Signature: Bacalhau à Braga, Arroz de pato, Rojões
Order: Bacalhau à Braga: fried cod with caramelised onions, roasted peppers and thin potato slices soaked in olive oil.
Contemporary Portuguese€€€Centro Historico
Open since 1998 and Michelin-referenced since 2013, Cozinha da Sé works author-driven Minho cooking from a central location in the historic quarter. Wine-lined walls, intimate dining rooms, rustic-modern aesthetics.
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.
Traditional Minho€€MaximinosMon-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.
Signature: Arroz de pato, Bacalhau à Braga, Papas de sarrabulho
Order: Papas de sarrabulho on Sundays: the thick corn-and-pork porridge that represents Minho Sunday cooking at its most direct.
Belgian-Portuguese€€Centro HistoricoDaily 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.
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.
Traditional Minho€€Centro HistoricoMon-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.
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.