BULL & BEAR
Avenida da Boavista 3431
22 610 7669
(PORTUGUESE)
This restaurant is recognized around the country as one of Portugal's best. It serves creative and refined Portuguese contemporary cuisine by a chef who was selected for the coveted Larousse Gastronomique. The decor is just as tasteful as the menu, and both created by the chef (including the chairs). The wine list is extensive, with over 150 labels.
There is also a bar serving wine by the glass and snacks.

CAFEINA
Rua do Padrão, 100
22 610 8059
www.cafeina.pt
(CONTEMPORARY/INTERNATIONAL)
Although over a decade-old, this restaurant continues to be one of the trendiest in Oporto. It's located in a 19th century manor house covered in yellow and black tiles close to the sea in Foz and has a sophisticated and cosmopolitan ambience. The decor consists of dark colors and warm lights, and the menu is modern or contemporary European. There is also a tea room open in the afternoon from 4PM to 7PM with several options of hot beverages.

CHEZ LAPIN
Rua dos Canastreiros, 40-42
22 200 6418
(PORTUGUESE)
Don't be misled by the name and assume this is a French restaurant. This is as Oporto as you can get, serving traditional Portuguese and local cuisine. It is an emblematic Oporto restaurant, having served the city for 70 years. It is located in a 16th century building in the Ribeira district, and includes an esplanade where you can contemplate the river. The interior has a very charming and rustic look.

D’OLIVA
Rua Brito e Cunha, 354, Matosinhos
www.doliva.net
22 935 1005
(ITALIAN/MEDITERRANEAN)
If you enjoy Italian or Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, it is worth stepping outside old Oporto to the seaside suburb of Matosinhos and this former warehouse that was transformed into one of trendiest places to eat in the Oporto area. Included in the well-designed space is a wall with wooden shelves where bottles of over 200 varieties of wine is stored.
There are fresh pastas every day, as well as pizza. The tiramisu dessert is already a classic.

A GoOporto.com Favorite:

DOM TONHO Cais da Ribeira, 13 22 200 4307 Cais de Gaia (Avenida Diogo Leite) 22 374 4835 www.dtonho.com (MODERN PORTUGUESE) This restaurant is one of the most beautiful in Oporto. It was first famous for being owned by one of Portugal's most popular pop singers but is now mostly known for its gastronomic excellence and historical renovation. Its waterfront location in Ribeira has also made it famous for the great views of the Douro and Dom Luis Bridge, and a second restaurant was opened directly across the river in Cais de Gaia, named "Dom Tonho II," also offering fantastic views of Oporto but with a lighter menu. The bar area in the original restaurant has part of the city's 14th century wall, and there are two dining rooms where you can sample the most traditional of Portuguese dishes with a modern twist or one of over 600 wine labels. This comprehensive wine list has been a reference for American gastronomy magazines researching Portuguese wines. Since it opened in 1992, it has welcomed famous personalities such as French president Jacques Chirac, Fidel Castro, musician Lou Reed, actor John Malkovich, and Italian superstar Marcello Mastroianni. It is one of the most expensive restaurants in Oporto, but a great experience. Book in advance.

FOZ VELHA
Esplanada do Castelo, 141, Foz do Douro
22 615 4178
www.fozvelha.com
(CONTEMPORARY/INTERNATIONAL)
This restaurant by the Douro in Foz is located in a centuries-old manor house, with the dinner tables occupying the former living rooms. The decor is classic and sophisticated and the menu is contemporary/international and Portuguese, with all the dishes beautifully presented on your plate.

GIROFLEE
Rua Nova da Alfândega, 1.
22 012 0752
giroflee.com.pt
(MODERN PORTUGUESE)
This modern and attractive restaurant in the old Ribeira district offers Portuguese cuisine mixed with international flavors. The space, decorated with exclusive furniture, occupies three floors and one of them is also an art gallery that hosts cultural events.

KOOL
22 609 2876
Inside Casa da Música
www.restaurantekool.com
(INTERNATIONAL)
This restaurant is located on the 7th floor of the city's iconic Casa da Musica. Decorated with sculptures by top contemporary artists, it is indeed a cool place, but the name was inspired by the famous architect of the building, Rem Koolhaas. The menu is also divided into concert-theme sections: overture, intermezzo, 1.º acto, 2.º acto, gran finale and encore. It consists of pastas, risottos, fish, meat and vegetarian options.

PORTUCALE
Rua da Alegria, 598
22 537 0717
(PORTUGUESE)
This restaurant is "hidden" on a 13th floor but it is a treasure worth seeking. There are magnificent panoramic city views, antique furnishings, and instrumental background music enhancing the special and relaxing ambiance. The cuisine is Portuguese, and many see this as perhaps the best place for great traditional national dishes. The excellent wine list offers both Portuguese and international labels.

SESSENTA SETENTA
Rua de Sobre-o-Douro, 1A
22 340 6093
(CONTEMPORARY/INTERNATIONAL)
This restaurant is somewhat secluded, but is worth the effort of finding it. It is inside a former convent, from where there are grand river views. The interior is very contemporary and refined, with black tables and chairs with satin upholstery. The menu is constantly changing but is contemporary international and always creative.
Literally translated the name means "sixty seventy" but it's really a play on words to also sound like "se senta, se tenta" ("if you sit, you're tempted").