We went on an excellent food and and wine tasting walking tour of locally owned spots where you learn not just about the food but Porto as well. Recommend starting off with this for your Porto visit to get a taste of the city.
Highlights:
- Got to try 5 different spots: all Portuguese owned and showcasing specialties of the area.
- Each stop had food and a drink
1. Calms coffee: pastel nata (one of the best we had), plus an espresso or tea in a classic old gentleman's club
2. Imperio Sanzaia: cod cakes and green wine, so nice to get a taste and not have to order a whole platter. Apparently cod is a core ingredient of Portuguese food even though they have to import it now.
3. Querijina Amarla: super tiny cheese and meat shop. Got a platter of a variety of cheeses, black pig chorizo, and prosciutto. Also some pumpkin jam which we loved. Choice of a glass of white or red wine.
4. A Provinciana: definitely a local's spot hidden not on a main street where we had a bifana sandwich (pork dipped in a semi-spicy jus) on a fresh roll paired with either a small glass of beer or bottled water.
5. Lado: Port wine tasting from a shop that represents the smaller port houses. Better education than we got at the official tours of the large suppliers.
- Marta was wonderful: our guide was a Porto native and super friendly and informative. Gave us great reccos as well for when we went off on our own.
- Small tour: maxed out at 13 people which is so nice
- Walking in between each was only a few minutes with the last stop being around 15-20 minutes downhill ending up by the water.
- There was no mention at all of buying anything at any of the stops which was so refreshing not to be pressured. We had to actually ask if it was possible at a few we wanted to buy from.
Lowlights:
- I got nothing! I loved it.
Fully enjoyed this and so glad we went on the tour. read more