There’s just something extra exciting about visiting pop up restaurants. You may recognize your surroundings and sit at a table that is somehow familiar to you, but at the same time you know you’re getting ready for a completely different menu, service and concept – a bit like visiting the Other World from Coraline! It’s a giant leap of faith into the unknown which provides a considerable level of risk to the whole experience. And while it is true that this may push away some less adventurous customers, we must not forget that risk can also be an enticing thing! Intrigued? Then make sure to stop by for a “test drive” at these pop up restaurants while in Porto!
HERE ARE 7 POP UP RESTAURANTS YOU CAN FIND IN PORTO
MANA & MANEE
Photo courtesy of: Mana &Manee
Let’s start with Mana & Manee, who are absolute experts in Southeast Asian and Korean cuisine – a still relatively uncharted ground in the city’s restaurant scene. As such, and in order to test the waters and show off their unmatched skills, Mana & Manee have decided to partner up with Arca Pub and organize their very own Korean pop-up! What started as a one-night-only event has in the meantime evolved into a daily affair, which pretty much tells you how successful and popular the whole concept has become! That being said, if you find yourself craving Beef Bulgogi or curious about authentic kimchi on a Friday night, Arca Pub is the place to go! Mana & Manee pop-up is up and running Tuesday to Friday for dinner (7:30pm-10pm).
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A RESTAURANT BY CUKA LINCK
Photo courtesy of: A Restaurant
For those of you seeking the ultimate risk, stakes probably don’t get much higher than this. After all, it’s not every day that you’re willing to step into a restaurant without having absolutely no idea of what’s about to be served! However, that is precisely the concept behind A Restaurante, a pop-up restaurant by Brazilian Chef Cuka Linck with no fixed menu or physical location but a very well-established goal: provide the best service and serve amazing food using as many fresh, organic products as possible. We recommend keeping an eye out on the Chef’s Facebook page in order to keep track of the next scheduled service and its location, but rest assured there is a massive weekly late brunch (2pm-5pm) every Sunday which includes entrance, soup, main and dessert for just 15€. Their location might shift, but the flavours certainly won’t!
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BRASIOCA
For the lovers of all things sweet and fans of the upbeat Brazilian culture, our list had to feature Brasioca! Offering both sweet and savoury tapioca gluten free pancakes, this pop-up concept runs across the entire country making its presence felt in local festivities and regional celebrations and fairs – so you have to be especially alert if you wish to find them! With authentic Brazilian flavours and the best caipirinha you’ll ever find in a local fair, you are granted a very happy hour once you hit Brasioca. Remember to try their famous Pão de Queijo – a cheesy Brazilian snack one simply cannot resist – and their most recent signature recipe of strawberry and brigadeiro tapioca. Sugar overdose alert!
READ ALSO: Five Brazilian Restaurants In Porto You’ve Gotta Check Out ASAP
NOMADIC MUNCHERS
Photo by: Manuel Lobo
For those interested in more than just another delicious meal, the Nomadic Munchers concept offers a hands-on experience on a multicultural environment. A project designed by the self-entitled foodie Junaid Khan, this is a pop-up restaurant that allows you to learn about Pakistani Cuisine directly from an expert. Besides cooking classes and dining experiences, the Nomadic Munchers can also arrange birthday parties and themed reunions, so you can reach out to Junaid and book your own private event. As with most pop-up concepts, their services’ locations tend to change every now and then, but it is quite frequent to find them at the cultural organization Casa Bô. Give it a go and set your inner cook free!
Facebook Page and website
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YULIANA’S KITCHEN
Ready for a quick trip to Southeast Asia? What about Indonesia? If so, but you are on a budget, why not travel using your taste buds’ teleportation powers? If there’s something we love about Porto is the ever-expanding amount of different cultures and experiences available. Yuliana’s Kitchen is certainly a great example of such diversity. This pop-up restaurant will have you salivating over many Asian dishes and recipes only a local could prepare. Yuliana’s Kitchen has many monthly events that you can check on their Facebook Page to stay updated. Even though they work all over the city, there are a few recurring places such as Arca Pub, Catraio and Café Rivoli where you are most prone to find them. Additionally, if you are looking for a great way to learn how to cook in the comfort of your home, take a look at Yuliana’s latest project – the Meal Kit Delivery!
READ ALSO: Five All-You-Can-Eat Buffet For Every Taste In Porto
THE TARELKA
Photo courtesy of: The Tarelka
And now a treat for our vegan and vegetarian readers! Once again, this pop-up restaurant reflects diversity and multiculturalism, with several themed dinner services taking place at Arca Pub, displaying dishes from all across the globe! If you want to be a part of these amazing events, remember to book your seats ahead, since these tend to be very limited. However, Tarelka doesn’t just stick to their regular Saturday themed dinners, they also pop up on weekdays at Arca Pub between noon and 3pm to offer you a masterclass on delicious, yet sustainable lunches. African recipes, Moroccan food or Mexican delights – with The Tarelka, every week has a brand new flavour and a brand new gastro journey waiting for you! You can check their upcoming events on their Facebook Page.
READ ALSO: Five Places To Go To For A Healthy Vegetarian Brunch In Porto
WORKSHOPS POP-UP
For our last entry, we introduce you to the home of all things pop-up! As you might have guessed already after reading into its name, Workshops Pop-up is an institution where multiple brands, independent creators, artists and both amateur and well-established Chefs can do their business and display their work. Located inside an old warehouse, this is definitely the hipster version of a shopping mall (guess those aren’t cool anymore!). However, what lands them a spot on our list is the ludicrous amount of food-related pop up workshops available to visitors. So whether you want to learn how to craft the perfect salmon nigiri, discover the ingredients behind authentic Portuguese cuisine or fool that friend of yours who says he will never quit meat with a juicy vegan seitan steak, you can be sure as hell these guys will have a workshop for that! Workshops Pop-up is open every single day between 9am and 8pm.
When searching for pop-ups, keep in mind that timing in everything. So pack your things and hurry your way into our suggestions, cuz otherwise, and just like that – make Kevin Spacey’s Keyser Soze voice – “It’s gone”. Are there any other pop up restaurants in Porto we should be aware of? Make sure to let us know on the comments section!
