4 Best Restaurants in Northern Portugal, Portugal

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook rolling hills, the Douro River, and a railroad bridge at this family-owned restaurant. Just 800 meters from the train station, the establishment is run by the granddaughter of the late owner, and her partner, who trained as a chef in France. Offerings hinge on what's freshest and may include grilled cod, roasted lamb, game (like rabbit and boar), fish soup, or pillowy wood-oven-baked bread. Desserts skew French: lemon mousse, chocolate fondant, and crème brûlée. Nearly everything, even down to the wine, is grown on the restaurant's own farm.

An 1820s manor turned 11-room inn, Falcão de Mendonça's restaurant has warm service and surprisingly reasonable prices. On the menu is Portuguese fare with a few interesting additions, like shrimp-stuffed bacalhau, rabbit stew, and prawns with garlic mushrooms. You can take your meal beside the outdoor pool, and there's a billiards table to amuse the kids while you linger over your meal—but they're sure to run back to the table for a dessert of crêpes topped with ice cream and chocolate sauce, or crema catalana (the cinnamon-scented Iberian version of crème brûlée).

The popular, no-frills sister eatery to Taverna de Matilde, Arco Iris serves big portions of home-style fare such as jabalí (wild boar) stew, roast lamb, and grilled cod. There's a short list of inexpensive regional wines. If you have any room left at the end of your meal, try the almond mousse.

Hip-homey is the vibe this tavern exudes with its red-and-white checkered table runners, blond-wood chairs, and birch tables. The restaurant often hosts live music. Meat and seafood are the stars of the menu, which includes a warming fish stew with rice, grilled lamb, and steak carved table -side. Pair dinner with a carafe of local wine and finish it off with refreshing almond mousse. Taverna da Matilde is attached to Restaurante Arco Iris.

Visa is the only credit card that can be used here.