Nowadays, in an old city like Porto you will find similar bars and restaurants as they have in other European destinations. Hipster cafes, fashionable coffee roasters, sushi buffets, Argentinian tapas; Porto has it all. Very convenient of course, but if you are only here for a few days, it might be fun to really dive into the local culture. The best way to do that? Here are some tips.

Eating

Don’t do research on the internet for the best restaurants in Porto. Online you always get the same predictable lists. No, just ask the doorman at your hotel or the host of your apartment where they like to eat in the city. That way you can be sure that it will be affordable and good. Another option is to simply walk down a back street. If you come across a restaurant with fluorescent lighting, a simple interior and full of Portuguese, you are in the right place. Around lunch on weekdays they usually offer daily specials, including soup, a main dish, coffee and a jar of wine. The price per person generally is below €10.

Coffee

The Portuguese love good, strong coffee. So for a delicious coffee you don’t need to go to the coffee shop with the beautiful wooden interior and a thousand different types of coffee. Just drop by the bakery or coffee house around the corner from where you are staying. In Porto those places are called confeitarias, where you can not only drink coffee, but often also have lunch. And don’t order cappuccino, because no one drinks that in Porto and your local coffee house often doesn’t really know how to make it. Choose a meia de leite (literally: a half of milk), a strong, large coffee with milk, just like the locals do. And if you just want an espresso, you order a café.

Green wine

Of course, anyone who goes to Porto always thinks about drinking Port, the sweet wine that pairs so well with cheese. But while you are in Porto, you should also try Vinho Verde, literally green wine. Vinho Verde is the typical wine from Northern Portugal, produced in the area between the Douro River and the Minho River up north. It is a fertile region, characterized by rainfall and exuberant green vegetation. The word green refers to the young age of the wines, often not older than a few months. There is white green wine, red green wine and even rosé. The white green wine, slightly sparkling with an alcohol content of 10 percent, is recommended on hot days.

Bonfim neighborhood

A very cool neighborhood that most people overlook is Bonfim. It is located near the tourist center of the city, but away from its hustle and bustle. In addition to Porto’s art school, you will find many ceramic studios and interesting galleries in this area. This is also where the one and only Eiffel Bridge, the Ponte Pia Maria, is located. It is not visible from the riverbanks of Ribeira, but can be seen up close in Bonfim. São Vitor Street is also located in the district. Check out this street and notice the narrow, hidden alleys, the tiny side streets with tiny workers’ houses. These are the so-called islands, ilhas, where in the past mainly textile workers from the area lived. People actually still live there.

Miragaia neighborhood

The old port district of Ribeira always tops the lists of areas to visit in Porto. But if you pay close attention, you will see that most local residents have disappeared from this charming neighborhood full of bars, restaurants and hotels. Therefore it is worthwhile to walk from Ribeira to Miragaia, a neighborhood that once also was located on the river. This neighborhood originated in the early 12th century and originally used to be a fishing community. Miragaia is still a working-class neighborhood, with neighborhood cafes, family restaurants and residents’ associations. The neighborhood has 3 escalators, which can take you up for further exploration of the picturesque streets and alleys of Miragaia.

Virtudes Square & park

If you walk up from Miragaia, you can continue to Passeio das Virtudes, a square with restaurants and bars, with a great view of the river and sea. Virtudes, as it is simply called, is also the right place to see a beautiful sunset. In the evening, Virtudes is a place where locals gather, with musicians, occasional DJs and a Spar supermarket that sells cheap beer and wine. Nearby is Parque das Virtudes, a historic park, which was once a plantation, located on terraces on several levels. You can walk into the park from below in Miragaia, or if you start from the top, walk through it downwards, over the different levels, and then you’ll  arrive in Miragaia.

Sweets and pastries

A favorite treat for visitors to Porto is the pastel de nata. A sweet pastry with a custard-like taste, which originated in Lisbon. But, why not also taste typical sweets that come from Porto and its region? A well-known example is Papos de anjo, which roughly translates to ‘angel’s stomach’. Small egg cakes made from egg yolk, round and smooth, covered with a sweet syrup. Invented in a nunnery a long time ago. Another favorite in Porto is Bolo de São João. A type of cake that is often served during the annual São João festival in Porto. Including nuts, currants, a touch of cognac and caramelized fruit.

Visit São de Pedro da Afurada

São Pedro de Afurada is located near Porto, at the mouth of the Douro River. Afurada, as it is simply called, is a traditional fishing community. A village with a small harbor where trawlers and other boats are moored. Charming streets with small houses where everyone knows each other. This is the place where you can eat fresh fish. The family restaurants show their fish in display cases, the customer chooses and then they prepare it for you. Near the harbor there is also a public washing area with washing lines. From Gaia, across the river from Porto, you can walk there, or alternatively take a taxi or an Uber to get there