Eating Porto with Taste Porto Food Tours

Last updated on February 3rd, 2026.

“Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.”

Voltaire

Eating and drinking: two simple pleasures that have the ability to open our minds and tantalize our senses.

During my visit to the northern Portuguese city, I was invited by Taste Porto Food Tours to explore the city's gastronomic scene. A traveling foodie, and a sucker for food tours, I didn't hesitate to say yes.

Meeting our food tour host

Our guide for the tour was the charismatic Porto born-and-raised, Andre, whom we met near Bolhao market.

Running by on 5 hours sleep after attending the second night of a music festival was no easy feat. Yet, Andre's lively mood quickly snapped us out of our slumber.

Our tour guide Andre - Taste Porto Food Tours
Our charismatic tour guide Andre on the Taste Porto Food Tours

More than a tour

It was clear early on that food and drink wouldn't be the only focus of the tour. Andre was keen to show us ‘my Porto’ which included historical facts and anecdotes about the city.

Tea house near Bolhao market Porto - Taste Porto Food Tours
Tea house near Bolhao market Porto Portugal
Woman selling fruits at Bolhao market Porto - Taste Porto Food Tours
Our meeting destination was near Bolhao Market in Porto

The food — and drink — we sampled, matched the enjoyment of the walking tour. Though I enjoyed just about everything, I also had my favorites.

The culinary delights don't have to end with Taste Porto. There are more specialized food and wine tasting tours that are ideal for families and foodies alike.

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5 places on the Taste Porto Food Tours


1. A Loja dos Pastéis de Chaves

The first stop on the Taste Porto Food Tour was A Loja dos Pastéis de Chaves.

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The bakery specializes in making flaky pastries from a town called Chaves not far from the Spanish border.

Pasteis de Chaves - Taste Porto Food Tours
Sweet or savory, any choice from Pastéis de Chaves is a good one

It's difficult deciding between the sweet and savory fillings, but they're both so good, you should definitely try both.

A loja do Pastéis de Chaves, R. de Álvares Cabral 161, 4430-999 Vila Nova de Gaia


2. Flor dos Congregados 

Flor dos Congregados has two big selling points: 1. its unique cave-like interior, and 2. its excellent menu.

The Porto restaurant promotes ‘slow food’, a concept that every country should adopt. Essentially, it's all about taking the time to savor your food, and not rushing everything down in one bite.

Terylene sandwich - Taste Porto Food Tours
Terylene sandwich and a glass of red wine on the Porto food tour

A Porto must try

The restaurant has a traditional wood fire oven, from which we feasted on the scrumptious Terylene sandwich. This mouth-watering combination of slow-roasted pork, sandwiched between a crusty bread roll was heaven on a small plate.

We combined this with a sparkling red wine, bringing a refreshing end to an unforgettable sandwich.

Flor dos Congregados, Tv. dos Congregados 11, 4000-179


3. Leitaria da Quinta do Paço

When you’re in need of a sweet fix in Porto, there’s only one place that’ll hit the spot. 

Leitaria da Quinta do Paço serves up the BEST eclairs in the city, and in a variety of flavors. 

Leitaria da Quinta do Paço chocolate eclairs - Taste Porto Food Tours
One eclair isn't enough...

We were treated to the classic chocolate eclairs, and believe me when I say, that one wasn’t enough. Soft and doughy and filled with freshly whipped cream, you’d be a fool not to try one. 

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Leitaria Quinta do Paço • Fábrica Vila Nova de Gaia, R. Fonte Lodosa 111, 4400-154 Vila Nova de Gaia


4. Maria Sardinha

Upon entering Maria Sardinha, the last thing I thought we’d be doing was a food tasting. The shop sells handmade crafts; something that’s evident the second you step inside.

Broa de Avintes on a plate - Taste Porto Food Tours
Broa de Avintes on a plate
Tostas com Patê de Sardinha at Maria Sardinha - Taste Porto Food Tours
Tostas com Patê de Sardinha at Maria Sardinha
Chourico Assado - Taste Porto Food Tours
Grilled chouriço assado at Maria Sardinha

A tasting surprise

However, we soon discovered that the shop also sells regional produce — some that we were about to taste.

Towards the back of the shop was a table laid out with some goodies for us to sample. They included grilled chouriço assado, broa de Avintes and Tostas com Patê de Sardinha.


5. Bagus

Specialty food store Bagus deserves a mention, if not just for the impressive furniture that its owner designed.

Here we tried intense satiny cheeses, meaty full-flavored sardines, and not forgetting my new favorite red wine, Meio Quijo.

A bottle of Meio Queijo wine on a table
A drinkable Portuguese wine
A selection of food tasting at Bagus in Porto Portugal - Taste Porto Food Tours
A selection of food tasting at Bagus in Porto Portugal

Would I recommend Taste Porto Food Tours?

The Taste Porto Food Tour is truly an excellent way to see the city, and from a local's perspective too.

Andre made the experience that more special because of his added personal touches, and stories of the city. His love for Porto shines through, not only from his love of the food and wine, but also for every street, monument and building that we passed.

He went out of his way even after the tour ended to see if we needed more information. It was a thoroughly enjoyable 3 and a half hours, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again.


Where to stay in Porto

If you're looking for a boutique hotel in Porto, consider staying at Carmo's Boutique Hotel. It's in a central location, has individually designed rooms as well as the kind of service you'd expect from a top boutique hotel.

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Would you like to book a place on the Taste Porto Food Tours? Which of these places and dishes would you most like to try? Let me know in the comments below.

Please note that some of these places may no longer be operating.

Disclosure: Although I was invited by Taste Porto Food Tours, all views are my own and are based on my experience. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.

36 Comments

  1. I am not a big fan of food and wine tours. But taste porto food tours took you to legit places and people went out of their way to help you get relevant information, just for that I would readily give them a try. Apart from that, Porto seems like a place where even people like me wouldn't mind indulging in a bit of gastronomical experience and have a taste of their world famous wine!

    1. Aww that's a shame you don't like food or wine tours. Maybe this would be different as Andre did a historical tour at the same time. Porto's beautiful and should be on everyone's list 🙂

  2. Its tough to say 'No' to food tours and when its something like this, definitely not.
    Food is a great way to learn about new things about a place. I would love to explore a city through its food.
    And I am glad they used slow cooking concept. Its healthier too.

    1. Yes, i didn't think about it being healthier, but you're right! Porto's wonderful and it's a great food destination.

  3. What a great way to explore a city combining food with history. Food tours we believe are an ideal way to dive into the culture and lifestyle of the locals. And guides like Andre make it worthwhile.

  4. Whoa, I am drooling after seeing these pictures. I am a big foodie and excited to taste these. I hope they have enough options for vegans like me as well. The setting in earthy tones look so appealing as well.

    1. Excellent! I'm sure now they will cater for vegans - there's a lot of good Portuguese dishes to try 🙂

  5. Mmmmm, that red wine looks delicious! What is the base for the wine? Is it sweet? It's 9am here and for the first time I actually want to eat lunch for breakfast because of this post.

    1. That's the kind of response I love to read! I'll need to find out about the wine, it shouldn't take me long, I'll send you an email!

  6. The food tour sounds legit. i totally agree on integrating and supporting the "slow food" concept, i feel it just tastes better and is by far more healthier. the dishes and plates looks amazing too.!

  7. I love food tours, relishing on the yummy local food is one of the best part of travelling. All the places you mentioned sounds very interesting and the food looks delicious too. It's great your guide made the tour even more fun and memorable.

  8. Porto tours look great due to food and wine combined so beautifully and explained by their lovely guide Andre. For knowing place fully we should taste regional cuisine and food tour completes any tour. Pastries with sweet fillings called Chaves sounds delicious and more better when accompanied with wine. Thanks for sharing!

    1. The chaves pastries are delicious and really moreish too. I'd highly recommend the food tour as it's well worth the price and Andre was the perfect host 😀

  9. You are one lucky person ! Who doesn't like to get invited to a food and wine tour and specially when the food looks so delicious and the wine acts as the perfect accompaiment ! Loved the quote in the first line.

    1. I know right?! I was very lucky, and really enjoyed the tour when I was there. I wouldn't mind a second go 🙂

  10. OMG the food looks mouth watering . I love to try different foods while I travel and I guess i should put this place on my list for my future use. Thanks for sharing

  11. Girl...I have GOT to stop reading these posts when I'm hungry! Okay, so that Voltaire quote? Amaze-balls! Andre seems like a pretty awesome guy, and I'm glad he helped snapped you out of your slumber! It would have been a bummer to miss all the yummy food and history of Porto!

    1. Lol my apologies for making you hungry, but I can assure you it was soooo good! Ha, and thank you for the feedback on the Voltaire quote; I think it's pretty awesome too 😀

  12. Oh my gosh! You are making me very hungry with this post! I have my eye on that pastry. I love to try the food wherever I travel and I think the best guide is always a local. Did you get a chance to try a Portuguese egg tart? I had one in Macau but I would love to taste the original!

    1. Oh yes! Actually the best egg tarts were in Lisbon 🙂 Still these pastries were gorgeous, and one wasn't enough!

  13. A food tour is my kind of tour! This is a great way to sample the delicacies of a city/country! That cheese and bread platter looks amazing! These delicious treats make me want to go to Porto...stat!

    1. Porto's one of my favourite cities, and the food is incredible! I urge you to try it and see for yourself!

  14. I once tried one of the traditional custard pies brought back from Porto and was absolutely blown away; I bet Porto has some gorgeous food! What are the vegan options like there do you think?

    1. I'll be honest Hannah, I don't know anything about the vegan options in Porto! There are plenty of veggie options available, but the next time I return I'll find out 😀

  15. I love that the food tour had some history as well. What a great way to learn about a place and culture --through food. The Pasteis de Chaves look so delicious!

    1. They're super yummy and moreish too! The good thing is you can walk it off while discovering beautiful Porto 🙂

  16. This looks like an impressive tour! Being in a wine lover, I'll definitely enjoy this tour I guess!
    Slow food in an upcoming concept and I really like it too! Pastry with sweet fillings plus wine - sign me up now!!

    1. It's even more delicious in person! The sandwich was divine, and the wine, well, don't get me started!

  17. Lisssssa! All of the reasons why I love my birth city. Reading your post is making my mouth water, remembering all of the tasty treats I ate in Porto when I was young. The site looks A-MAZING! So happy for you. Keep the posts coming.

    Your NYC Sister,

    Ana

    1. Ana! Thank you for your comment, I never realised you were born in Porto, such a beautiful place, can't wait to return 🙂

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