One of the things I love most about Porto is that there is always another side of the city waiting to be discovered. For me, that journey started with a book written by the founder of Eat Porto (Experience Porto by Luís Remisio). What immediately caught my attention was the carefully curated selection of restaurants and local food spots, places that felt authentic rather than touristy. After finishing the book, I knew I wanted to experience Porto’s food scene through their eyes.
Eat Porto was created to help visitors discover Porto and Portugal through food, wine, culture, and history. Their experiences go far beyond tasting local specialties, offering a deeper understanding of the traditions and stories that have shaped the city. When the opportunity came to join one of their tours, I gladly accepted and signed up for the Taste the Tradition of Porto experience.
From the very beginning, it became clear that this was much more than a food tour. Our guide, Clarisse, brought incredible energy and knowledge to the experience, blending gastronomy, local culture, and history into a fascinating walk through Porto’s historic centre. Along the way, we passed iconic landmarks, learning about both the city’s past and the traditions behind the food we were about to taste.
Our first stop was Padaria Ribeiro, where we enjoyed a traditional sweet treats while learning about Portugal’s rich baking heritage. We then continued to the historic Café Guarany for coffee and stories about Porto’s cultural life. At the beautifully renovated Mercado do Bolhão, we sampled Portuguese wine while exploring one of the city’s most beloved markets.
The gastronomic highlights continued at Casa Louro, where we tasted traditional Portuguese petiscos together with delicious presunto, before ending the tour at the legendary Casa Guedes. There, we enjoyed one of Porto’s most famous specialties, the iconic sande de pernil, a simple but unforgettable pork sandwich loved by locals and visitors alike.
What made the tour truly memorable wasn’t only the food but the storytelling. Clarisse helped us understand how gastronomy, history, and everyday life are intertwined in Porto. By the end of the afternoon, I felt I had gained not only a deeper appreciation for Portuguese cuisine but also a better understanding of the city itself.
Whether you’re visiting Porto for the first time or have lived here for years, Eat Porto offers a wonderful way to experience the city from a different perspective: one bite, one story, and one hidden gem at a time.
