Flashback to the 70ties with a great view onto Porto: Restaurant Portucale (2. July 2017)
According to TripAdvisor, the Restaurant Portucale is one of the best restaurants in Porto – and the view is supposedly breathtaking. After having visited the restaurant, I’m not sure if I’m to confirm or not to confirm. The place is hard to find, respectively is located quite far away from the city center. So, after you’ve walked for 40 – 45 minutes you kind of reach a hill within the city where there is quite an old skyscraper. On the top floor, the Restaurant Portucale is located. The restaurant is a flashback to the 70ties – the interior design is quite retro and so are the waiters.
However, it is a Chaîne des Rôtisseurs restaurant and the service is impeccable. Once we were seated, the menu was brought within seconds and a few nibbles were served (cover charge, EUR 3.50) which were not only plenty of them but they were also delicious in terms of taste.
As a starter, I went for the “gazpacho (cold soup Andaluz style)” (EUR 5.00). I was already wondering why it only cost EUR 5.00 but after seeing the size of the bowl, it became clear to me why. The gazpacho is freshly prepared at the table – and with an emotion you can’t imagine. Like a stone. No movement, no word, just prepared, here you go! Bamm! The main waiters was friendly and attentive, the rest is about as emotional as a blank sheet of paper. The soup, however, was good in taste.
As a main course, I went for the “Chateaubriand” (EUR 23.50) served with a variety of vegetables. The spinach was incredibly creamy and rich in flavour – the other vegetables were a bit dull in taste though.
The adding of the “mushroom sauce” on top of the dish was a nice finish. The meat was tender and aromatic. So, considering the price of only EUR 23.50, this is a true bargain!
While I was expecting quite expensive bottles of wine, they actually offer some good wines for decent prices like the “Marques de Borba, 2015, 0,375L” for EUR 13.00. What is truly stunning though is the view you have onto the city of Porto. And it kind of compensates for the last century atmosphere there.
Overall, the Restaurant Portucale offers you a good selection of tasty dishes for decent prices with a lovely view – the service is generally good, however, they are not that attentive sometimes (especially when you want to pay). If you decided to come here, I would highly recommend you to book a table by the window in advance so you’ll have a better view.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant Portucale
Rua da Alegria 598
4000-037 Porto (PT)
Tel.: +351 22 537 0717
E-Mail: rest.portucale@miradouro-portucale.com
Homepage: http://www.miradouro-portucale.com
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
