There’s an old saying you should be aware of: if you come to Porto and don’t eat in a tasca, you haven’t been to Porto at all. Although the tascas culture is as old as the city itself, these quaint taverns are getting harder and harder to find. That’s why you need to rush through those saloon doors right now and taste some of the city’s most delicious home-cooked food.
Check out our eclectic selection of traditional and modern tascas below:
Tasca da Badalhoca ($)
Photo by: Nuno Carvalho
In the kingdom of tascas, Tasca da Badalhoca is queen. Inside the barrel-like entrance, you’ll face over 20 different sandwiches that hail Portuguese cuisine. While the presunto sandwich is the most famed, our recommendation goes out to the fígado de cebolada (liver and onion), rojão (pork belly), or the blood sausage. For a genuine experience, chow them down at the standing counter and top them up with a glass of espadal wine.
Where: Rua Dr. Alberto Macedo, 437
When: Mon—Fri: 9 am—2 pm & 3:30 pm—8 pm; Sat: 9 am—2 pm
ALSO: Book A Tascas Tour In Porto
READ ALSO: Here are the Absolute Best Cheese and Presunto Platters in Porto
Escondidinho do Barredo ($$)
A hole-in-the-wall tasca, Escondidinho do Barredo has been in the same family for over 70 years. Tucked in a corner of Ribeira, this small eatery offers one of the city’s most delicious iscas de bacalhau (fried battered cod fillet), made fresh to order. Also, don’t forget to try the bolinhos de bacalhau (cod fritters), a house specialty, or other seafood delights such as ovas com molho verde (roe with parsley and onion sauce), and fried cuttlefish.
Where: Rua dos Canastreiros, 28
When: Tue—Sat: 1 pm—10 pm
READ ALSO: 10 Traditional Portuguese Food Restaurants You Really Need to Try
Tascö ($$)
Photo by: Nuno Carvalho
In a revivalist fashion, Tascö brings us warm, homestyle food in a friendly atmosphere. The menu is in all seriousness like a trip to a Portuguese grandma’s house. The showstoppers are the pataniscas de bacalhau (fried codfish cakes) with the silky tomato rice. The octopus, the caldo verde (kale soup) and the bacalhau com broa (codfish with breadcrumbs) are also worth your appetite.
Where: Rua do Almada, 151
When: Mon—Sun: 12 pm—1 am
Bufete Fase ($$)
Photo by: Nuno Carvalho
In a quiet corner of Baixa’s busiest commercial street lies Bufete Fase, a small snack bar that specializes on Porto’s most famous sandwich, the francesinha. They are prepared one by one by the owner himself, earning his full attention and care. The original recipe is respected, so you’ll find a layer of roast pork nested inside. The remaining cured meats are picked from the best suppliers, while its rich and intense sauce beautifully melts the top layer of cheese.
Where: Rua de Santa Catarina, 1147
When: Mon—Fri: 12 pm—4 pm & 6 pm—9:30 pm
READ ALSO: 5 Francesinha Spots In Porto You Need To Try
Casa Louro ($)
Photo courtesy of: Casa Louro
Set in one of the most ancient streets of Porto, the humble and good ol’ fashioned Casa Louro has been around for decades. The menu is small, as fame comes to this tasca for their presunto (cured ham), in particular, their unbeatable (and cheap) presunto sandwich. Other specialties include salpicão (cured loin), savory bolinhos de bacalhau, and chocolatey broa de Avintes (regional bread) paired with vinho verde wine served in a white bowl.
Where: Rua Cimo de Vila, 80
When: Mon—Sat: 9 am—8 pm
READ ALSO: 8 Places In Porto To Get The Most Succulent, Savoury, Full Bodied Pernil Ever
Casa de Pasto da Palmeira ($$$)
Photo courtesy of: Casa de Pasto da Palmeira
Facing the flow of the Douro river, this offspring of modern tascas promises to captivate you with their ever-changing menu and laid-back atmosphere. Yes, that’s right, the dishes change every month, so you’ll never get bored. The house’s staples include the mouth-watering alheira muffins, the barley risotto (cevadotto), goat cheese ice-cream, and a damn good spicy chocolate cake.
Where: Rua do Passeio Alegre, 450
When: Mon—Sun: 12 pm—12 am
READ ALSO: 10 Must Go To Restaurants in Foz (Porto)
Casa Vasco ($$$)
Casa Vasco is a blueish corner house located in the cosmopolitan and beachside Foz area. In this contemporary tasca, you’ll find comfort amongst revamped classic Portuguese snacks, and vibrant international favorites. Feast upon saucy stewed chicken gizzards (moelas), easy-going steak sandwiches (prego), or crunchy alheira.
Where: Rua do Padrão, 152
When: Sun—Thu: 12:30 pm—12:30 am; Fri—Sat: 12:30 pm—1:30 am
Which of these tascas can you tick from your list?
