We Portuguese don’t know how lucky we are with our fish and seafood restaurants, do we? We just take them for granted – guess it’s just hard to realize it until we get out of our shell (pun intended). Even so, if you’re visiting Porto and wish to have nothing but the best seafood, just take a 30-minute metro ride to Matosinhos. If you’re still wondering if that’s worth the hassle, just keep in mind that a city doesn’t get “World’s Best Fish” as its official tourist slogan for nothing… Exaggeration? Cockiness? Come and taste it for yourself!
HERE ARE 5 SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS YOU MUST TRY IN MATOSINHOS
A MARISQUEIRA DE MATOSINHOS
In a land of shores and fishermen you know the fish and seafood has to be good, and the Marisqueira de Matosinhos is one of the top places in Portugal to try such dishes. Brace yourselves though, as you might end up bumping into some members of the Portuguese upper-crust, since this restaurant is well-known for its honoured guests. A Marisqueira de Matosinhos is open from Thursday to Tuesday between noon and midnight.
READ ALSO: 5 Porto Beaches You’ve Got to Check Out This Summer (Porto District)
MAURITÂNIA
Photo courtesy of: Mauritânia
This one is a classic! Ever since we can remember, Mauritânia is one of those restaurants where locals take their families and loved ones out for a long lunch to celebrate a special occasion. As such, and although you may still find the odd tourist there, it’s a great way to witness first-hand how usually all kinds of meetings and reunions revolve around food here in Portugal. It’s in our culture – we do love to eat – and when there’s such a wide variety of great seafood at our disposal, it’s definitely not hard to see why! Mauritânia is open from Thursday to Tuesday during meal times (noon-3pm and 7pm-11pm).
READ ALSO: Best Things to do in Porto to Enjoy Some Outdoor Activities
DOM ZEFERINO
This traditional restaurant is regarded as one of the most reputable along the popular Avenida de Serpa Pinto, but unless you live here, then this probably doesn’t mean much to you. Well, you may look at this avenue as the Las Vegas Strip of fish and seafood restaurants, only with sidewalks filled with charcoal stoves instead of drunk people in their 40’s going through a mid-life crisis (much more appealing, right?). Although Dom Zeferino might not bear the seafood variety of other restaurants on this list, you’ll definitely want to try its Arroz de Marisco, a rice dish that is slowly cooked in a shellfish stock and served with shrimp – so good! Dom Zeferino is open from Wednesday to Monday during meal times (noon-3pm and 7pm-midnight).
READ ALSO: The Ultimate Summer Bucket List to Beat The Insane Heat in Porto
O GAVETO
Photo courtesy of: O Gaveto
In a time where the city and its cuisine are going through some sort of a boom, O Gaveto is proud of staying truthful to the population’s traditional and humbler roots. Here, you will find authentic no-bullshit Portuguese cuisine at its best, and obviously its seafood dishes are no exception. Shrimp, lobster, crayfish – all the fresh ingredients you’ll need, straight out of the Fish Auction Market (which is located just 750m away from the restaurant btw). O Gaveto is open every day between noon and 1h30am.
READ ALSO: 4 Porto’s Coolest Stores with Coffee Shops Inside
MARISQUEIRA A ANTIGA
Finally, we leave you with what is perhaps the most traditional seafood restaurant in Matosinhos. The granite façade and stone walls, the lavish yet somewhat outdated decoration, the giant aquariums where you can meet your next meal… this is pretty much what all Marisqueiras looked like when we were growing up! Going there is like taking a small step back in time; try their grilled prawns, their spider-crab or their Seafood Açorda (kind of a bread soup) and you’ll realize their core is still very much alive and well. Marisqueira A Antiga is open every day between noon and 1h30am.
Which seafood restaurant left your mouth watering? Let us know on the comments!
