As more and more visitors keep flocking to Porto, the city’s tourism structure keeps growing and evolving. All of a sudden, it seems like new businesses keep springing out of nowhere! If you’re on your way to the city, keep in mind even great explorers need to eat every once in a while, so we got you covered! Take a look at these amazing recently open restaurants, and start creating your city tour around them.
HERE ARE 5 RECENTLY OPEN RESTAURANTS IN PORTO
VACARUUM
Photo courtesy of: Vaccarum
Starting with the “baby” of the list, Vacaruum is the most recent of all the restaurants on this list contemplated, having been inaugurated last March. This steakhouse might have a rustic decoration with stone walls and wooden appointments, but once you take a look at its outrageous meat menu, you’ll realize its goals are far more ambitious. Here, you will find the absolute best cuts from Australia to South America (where else?) and even an option for matured meat at 38€/piece for 2. If you somehow manage to overlook how this kind of meat is prepared (google it – we dare you, we double-dare you) then you’re in for the steak experience of a lifetime! Vacaruum is open every day from 11h30am to midnight.
MISTU
Photo by: Bastarda
Built on the exact site where a former metal working company once stood, Mistu offers a refined concept of Restaurant & Bar. As soon as you enter, you can sit down and have a drink at the bar on the ground floor, before walking up the stairs onto the first floor, where the dining room and a quite innovative menu await you. At Mistu, the Chef’s challenge is to mingle different flavours from all around the world in a single list, making this the perfect stop for all travel-lovers, who get to go on a food journey without getting out of their comfortable seats. Once you’re done, don’t forget to cap off your meal with a digestive at the bar on your way out! Mistu is open from Monday to Saturday during meal times (noon-3pm and 8pm-11h30pm).
MUU STEAKHOUSE
Photo courtesy of: Muu Steakhouse
Another entry, and yet another amazing steakhouse! Although naming it after the noise that cattle makes may sound like a morbid joke, we guarantee you’ll feel right at home when you visit MUU. Its service is good but informal, the space very intimate (only fits about 30 seating customers) and the meat cuts are simply mouth-watering. If in the meantime you’ve discovered the process behind matured meat and are still curious about it, MUU also offers you the chance to try it! On the other hand, if googling it put you off, you can always try their juicy Black Angus Steak – with no matured meat involved whatsoever! MUU is only open for dinner, between 7pm and midnight, from Wednesday to Monday.
BOLA FALAFEL
**PERMANENTLY CLOSED AS OF JANUARY 01, 2019**
Photo by: Norte Soluções Criativas
But enough of steakhouses and grilled meat – this one is for our dear vegetarian readers! Serving crispy falafel, authentic hummus and hand-made pita bread (OMG so good), this modestly-decorated Israeli restaurant is a safe haven for visitors and locals looking for middle-eastern cuisine in Porto. More so, Bola Falafel is the first and only restaurant in the whole country that is 100% kosher, so don’t think of visiting during Shabbat (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) since you won’t find it open. At any other period, you are free to pay it a visit and take a quick lunch trip to Israel. Mazel Tov! Opening Times: Mon-Wed 11am-4pm and 7pm-11pm; Friday 11am-4pm; Saturday 8pm-midnight; Sunday 11am-11pm.
ALMEJA
Photo by: Afonso Moreira
For the last entry on our list, we bring you a more sophisticated option. Courtesy of a lovely, young (albeit very experienced) couple, Almeja is a recent place that takes pride in its sustainable practices. For instance, all of their fruits and vegetables are bought from local farmers/producers, the fish on the menu will vary according to the catch of the day and there are no products out of season. With top-quality food and a relaxed and attentive service, Almeja is the proof that “casual” and “fine dining” aren’t necessarily opposites. It’s like wearing a tuxedo with sneakers – you know these aren’t supposed to go together, but when it works… Almeja is open from Tuesday to Saturday during meal times (12h30am-3h30pm and 7h30pm-11pm).
The ball is your court now, so what do you think! Which one will you be trying on your next visit to the city? Let us know on the comments section!
