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Recommended Reviews - Bacalhau
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Visited Bacalhau as a result of a recommendation from a local and really enjoyed it! The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous view overlooking the Douro river. They have options for indoor and outdoor seating, while the cold was tolerable and the view was beyond tempting we opted for the indoor seating. Inside the restaurant was very warm and cozy. Despite being walk ins we were promptly greeted and taken to our seats. To eat I had the mushroom risotto which was generously portioned and very shareable, the goat cheese/pumpkin pasties, assorted cheeses and the olive oil cake with it's recommended port wine pairing. The flavors throughout eat course were present and earthy. It was the perfect late night meal on a cold night before bed. The standout dish was the risotto with it's creamy texture and cheesy flavor but none of the dishes disappointed. I would definitely come back on a warm day and take advantage of the beautiful outdoor seating.
Wanted a drink and something light with a great view of the River scene before dinner. Found this place on Yelp - it was good. Views were perfect (see photos), Porto Tonico was awesome and the food was just what we wanted (although I did not go for the fried codfish skin chippy things, my wife loved them. Maybe I don't know her as well as I thought after 27yrs) Great place for a drink and a bite. They do lunch and dinner - this is not a review of that, but I bet it is decent.
Amazing experience. We went just at about 6pm for dinner on a weeknight, no wait got our choice of table outside vs inside and had a lovely spot just on the river along the quieter path where the restaurant is situated. Our waitress was warm but efficient. We noticed that the place kinda filled up by 7-7:30, so we felt like we lucked out on our timing. The view and location already puts this place in a good position. It's at the end of the walkway along the Douro and it's less trafficked, smaller, and thus quieter and less touristy feeling, with still the same amazing view. For the appetizers. The cod tongue was intriguing and delicious. Very oily and savory, not what I was expecting given that cod is a pretty neutral fish. The sauce was a heavier, seafood tasting sauce, with delicate onion/shallot crisps that added some texture, but the whole experience was fantastic on its own and soaked in bread. The fresh cod was incredible. Everyone talks about the cod in Porto, and while my husband and I love seafood, we both usually think of cod as a pretty neutral fish, not necessarily our go to. But the way they cook the cod at Bacalhau - it was next level. It was cooked perfectly, slightly under, so that the freshness and flakiness of the fish really shined. The fresh cod dish was pretty simple with the absolutely perfectly cooked fillet of cod - and a good portion size at that - over some very deliciously crispy scalloped potatoes and a basic oil sauce. No bells and whistles with a long ingredient list or lots of complex sauces, the food really shined for itself. The fresh cod with Porto style cod tripes was delicious. The fillet of cod again was a fresh piece, cooked slightly more than the cod fish dish, but largely cooked well, not over cooked or over seasoned or smothered in sauce as it sat nicely on top of the tripe, which was like a tasty stew of beans, swim bladder, crispy bits, sausage, and a more savory meat base. We had it with the recommended red wine which was viscous and heavy, stood up well with the dish. Overall, absolutely fantastic experience. We loved the location, enjoyed our experience with the staff, and adored the food and drink.
Once you get to Porto, you'll see that cod is like the lifeline of this country. Without it, they are missing an integral part of their cuisine. So of course, this entire restaurant is dedicated to this one fish, and they do it well. This is an excellent meal in the heart of Porto. You'd think it wouldn't be good because it's on the river, but it's tucked away in the corner. However, it's still popular, so go early to wait for a table (we could not get through on the phone to make a reservation). The place itself is very nice and classy. Good reason to put on a nice dress. 1- our waitress was super sweet, attentive, and fast. Wish I remembered her name. 2- my husband got the cod and I got the oxtail. Both were stellar. 3- the highlight of the meal was the pumpkin puree dish that came on the side of my dish. It was so delicious! Neither of us has had anything like that before. 4- my husband got a few glasses of port, and said they were all great and unique. 5- for dessert, we got the chocolate mousse and raspberry dish, and that was a 4/5. It was a little too sweet for us. I recommend getting their other dessert option (a goat cheese dish, if I remember correctly).
Small little place right on the riberia. The day we went was following the annual São João celebration so the area was very busy but we managed to get a table after a few minutes. The dinning experience is intimate because of how small it is. We made friends with dinners next to us due to how close we were which was actually really nice. Food was great as was the service!
I've been to Porto twice and Bacalhau twice. I had such a fond memory of it the first time around I brought my big family there and they were impressed too. While it's in the touristy Ribeira area, it still feels a little ticked away and a little less chaotic. As with the name, it has a very seafood centric menu with some delicious meat options. Everyone liked what the ordered from the crispy fish skin to the oxtail to the wild cod. Dinging a star for slow service at times, but I would come back here again for lunch on my next trip to Porto as well!
My wife and I had our first day excursion walk through Porto and by 4-4:30 we were tired and hungry from the walking around this most majestic city. I searched along the river front for a restaurant on Yelp and came across Bacalhau. There was closer restaurants but they were mostly closing at 4:30pm for dinner service starting at 7pm. I called Bacalhau and they said they were open so we decided to walk and find this hidden gem nestled at the end of the riverside walk away from all the other restaurants and tourists crowding the other restaurants. We could not ask for a better experience with delicious cod chips, bread and olives and OMG mushrooms with asparagus and heavenly potatoes (I wanted more potatoes). We shared a bottle of moderately priced rose wine and we were set - not being rushed as people slowly started to gather to wait for service. We watched the sun set over the river and truly found a place to fall in love with. We then shared a Covine Shrimp - Bread Bisque which as an American can only compare to a fish Thanksgiving meal. Well my wife were most thankful for a completely wonderful meal and we imagine it is going to be hard to beat the meal we had at Bacalhau. I think we may need to go back to get their cod - I know such a requirement.
Absolutely divine! Eating lunch right next to the water was so wonderful. We had a bottle of vinho verde with our meal. Ordered the chicken in a yolk sauce and it was fabulous! The barley with sweet potato with cream and yolk was also very tasty. Service is typical Porto, not the friendliest.
I had a fabulous meal here with a view. The waiter spoke fluent English so there's was no issue for me ordering. I went with the grilled cuddle fish that was in a white wine sauce. It was amazing!!! I could have taken a bath in that sauce it was dare I say heavenly... It was light, not too heavy so it didn't over power the fish. Which was also cooked just right. There was a little bit of cilantro sprinkled on top which was a good compliment to the dish. Also as the waiter recommended the plates are generally a little smaller compared to an American humungous portion that getting a side would be good too. I got an order of tomato balls I guess there was no other way to describe them. They were in a bowl of olive oil with fig oil as well I think it said. Something about them you would take a bit and then there was like a little pocket of flavor or juice and it was a pop of flavor. I went with a glass of local Douro Valley Rose. As I sent on the balcony looking at the Don Luis Bridge enjoying the sun I was so relaxed and peaceful I indulged in desert. They had a banana cake with sea salt and caramel sauce. The cake came out fresh and warm and I couldn't eat it fast enough with a little bit of ice cream at the same time. Soooo good. I definitely recommend this place. It's a great place to people watch and see the boats going up and down the river.
Delicious spot right on the water! We went here for lunch and it was perfect, we had a number of different tapa style small plates that were great for sharing with a few people while sitting outside and looking out over the water. The staff was wonderful and we didn't have a ton of time and they were very accommodating. All the food was delicious and we especially enjoyed the sweet potato dish! read more
We stumbled about Bacalhau during our first day in Porto. It had just started raining and we were required to wait outside as they had no space when we first arrived. While we could have gone elsewhere to stay dry, I'm glad we waited because what was in store was one of the most delicious meals I had in the city. We ended up trying three dishes which were served family style as they were prepared: 1) the codfish with potato, onions, and yolk sauce, 2) the duck rice with smoked sausage, apricot, and cheese sauce, and 3) the iberian pork. Everything was well prepared and seasoned perfectly - between the two of us we didn't leave anything behind. Paired with a bottle of wine and a view of the river as the sun broke through the rain at sunset was a magical experience that I'd gladly repeat again and again. The price point of the meal was reasonable with all entrees being between 15-17€ and the desserts and port pairings at 11€. read more
9 months ago
2 years ago
Visited Bacalhau as a result of a recommendation from a local and really enjoyed it! The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous view overlooking the Douro river. They have options for indoor and outdoor seating, while the cold was tolerable and the view was beyond tempting we opted for the indoor seating. Inside the restaurant was very warm and cozy. Despite being walk ins we were promptly greeted and taken to our seats. To eat I had the mushroom risotto which was generously portioned and very shareable, the goat cheese/pumpkin pasties, assorted cheeses and the olive oil cake with it's recommended port wine pairing. The flavors throughout eat course were present and earthy. It was the perfect late night meal on a cold night before bed. The standout dish was the risotto with it's creamy texture and cheesy flavor but none of the dishes disappointed. I would definitely come back on a warm day and take advantage of the beautiful outdoor seating. read more
6 months ago
9 months ago
Wanted a drink and something light with a great view of the River scene before dinner. Found this place on Yelp - it was good. Views were perfect (see photos), Porto Tonico was awesome and the food was just what we wanted (although I did not go for the fried codfish skin chippy things, my wife loved them. Maybe I don't know her as well as I thought after 27yrs) Great place for a drink and a bite. They do lunch and dinner - this is not a review of that, but I bet it is decent. read more
3 years ago
Amazing experience. We went just at about 6pm for dinner on a weeknight, no wait got our choice of table outside vs inside and had a lovely spot just on the river along the quieter path where the restaurant is situated. Our waitress was warm but efficient. We noticed that the place kinda filled up by 7-7:30, so we felt like we lucked out on our timing. The view and location already puts this place in a good position. It's at the end of the walkway along the Douro and it's less trafficked, smaller, and thus quieter and less touristy feeling, with still the same amazing view. For the appetizers. The cod tongue was intriguing and delicious. Very oily and savory, not what I was expecting given that cod is a pretty neutral fish. The sauce was a heavier, seafood tasting sauce, with delicate onion/shallot crisps that added some texture, but the whole experience was fantastic on its own and soaked in bread. The fresh cod was incredible. Everyone talks about the cod in Porto, and while my husband and I love seafood, we both usually think of cod as a pretty neutral fish, not necessarily our go to. But the way they cook the cod at Bacalhau - it was next level. It was cooked perfectly, slightly under, so that the freshness and flakiness of the fish really shined. The fresh cod dish was pretty simple with the absolutely perfectly cooked fillet of cod - and a good portion size at that - over some very deliciously crispy scalloped potatoes and a basic oil sauce. No bells and whistles with a long ingredient list or lots of complex sauces, the food really shined for itself. The fresh cod with Porto style cod tripes was delicious. The fillet of cod again was a fresh piece, cooked slightly more than the cod fish dish, but largely cooked well, not over cooked or over seasoned or smothered in sauce as it sat nicely on top of the tripe, which was like a tasty stew of beans, swim bladder, crispy bits, sausage, and a more savory meat base. We had it with the recommended red wine which was viscous and heavy, stood up well with the dish. Overall, absolutely fantastic experience. We loved the location, enjoyed our experience with the staff, and adored the food and drink. read more
Once you get to Porto, you'll see that cod is like the lifeline of this country. Without it, they are missing an integral part of their cuisine. So of course, this entire restaurant is dedicated to this one fish, and they do it well. This is an excellent meal in the heart of Porto. You'd think it wouldn't be good because it's on the river, but it's tucked away in the corner. However, it's still popular, so go early to wait for a table (we could not get through on the phone to make a reservation). The place itself is very nice and classy. Good reason to put on a nice dress. 1- our waitress was super sweet, attentive, and fast. Wish I remembered her name. 2- my husband got the cod and I got the oxtail. Both were stellar. 3- the highlight of the meal was the pumpkin puree dish that came on the side of my dish. It was so delicious! Neither of us has had anything like that before. 4- my husband got a few glasses of port, and said they were all great and unique. 5- for dessert, we got the chocolate mousse and raspberry dish, and that was a 4/5. It was a little too sweet for us. I recommend getting their other dessert option (a goat cheese dish, if I remember correctly). read more
Small little place right on the riberia. The day we went was following the annual São João celebration so the area was very busy but we managed to get a table after a few minutes. The dinning experience is intimate because of how small it is. We made friends with dinners next to us due to how close we were which was actually really nice. Food was great as was the service! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
I've been to Porto twice and Bacalhau twice. I had such a fond memory of it the first time around I brought my big family there and they were impressed too. While it's in the touristy Ribeira area, it still feels a little ticked away and a little less chaotic. As with the name, it has a very seafood centric menu with some delicious meat options. Everyone liked what the ordered from the crispy fish skin to the oxtail to the wild cod. Dinging a star for slow service at times, but I would come back here again for lunch on my next trip to Porto as well! read more
1 year ago
5 years ago
My wife and I had our first day excursion walk through Porto and by 4-4:30 we were tired and hungry from the walking around this most majestic city. I searched along the river front for a restaurant on Yelp and came across Bacalhau. There was closer restaurants but they were mostly closing at 4:30pm for dinner service starting at 7pm. I called Bacalhau and they said they were open so we decided to walk and find this hidden gem nestled at the end of the riverside walk away from all the other restaurants and tourists crowding the other restaurants. We could not ask for a better experience with delicious cod chips, bread and olives and OMG mushrooms with asparagus and heavenly potatoes (I wanted more potatoes). We shared a bottle of moderately priced rose wine and we were set - not being rushed as people slowly started to gather to wait for service. We watched the sun set over the river and truly found a place to fall in love with. We then shared a Covine Shrimp - Bread Bisque which as an American can only compare to a fish Thanksgiving meal. Well my wife were most thankful for a completely wonderful meal and we imagine it is going to be hard to beat the meal we had at Bacalhau. I think we may need to go back to get their cod - I know such a requirement. read more
4 years ago
Absolutely divine! Eating lunch right next to the water was so wonderful. We had a bottle of vinho verde with our meal. Ordered the chicken in a yolk sauce and it was fabulous! The barley with sweet potato with cream and yolk was also very tasty. Service is typical Porto, not the friendliest. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
2 years ago
I had a fabulous meal here with a view. The waiter spoke fluent English so there's was no issue for me ordering. I went with the grilled cuddle fish that was in a white wine sauce. It was amazing!!! I could have taken a bath in that sauce it was dare I say heavenly... It was light, not too heavy so it didn't over power the fish. Which was also cooked just right. There was a little bit of cilantro sprinkled on top which was a good compliment to the dish. Also as the waiter recommended the plates are generally a little smaller compared to an American humungous portion that getting a side would be good too. I got an order of tomato balls I guess there was no other way to describe them. They were in a bowl of olive oil with fig oil as well I think it said. Something about them you would take a bit and then there was like a little pocket of flavor or juice and it was a pop of flavor. I went with a glass of local Douro Valley Rose. As I sent on the balcony looking at the Don Luis Bridge enjoying the sun I was so relaxed and peaceful I indulged in desert. They had a banana cake with sea salt and caramel sauce. The cake came out fresh and warm and I couldn't eat it fast enough with a little bit of ice cream at the same time. Soooo good. I definitely recommend this place. It's a great place to people watch and see the boats going up and down the river. read more
5 years ago
Loved this place! We were searching for a restaurant next to the water to watch the sunset, and this fit the bill. There was a longish wait for outdoor seating, roughly 45 minutes, but we were allowed to order some wine while we waited. We really liked their green wine! Food-wise, I ordered their codfish chips and fresh codfish. My friend had some difficulties finding veggie options (and the menu is quite small to begin with), but she opted for a salad and the bread basket, which included Porto's specialty bread. My codfish chips were super crispy, not too fishy & somewhat addicting. The fresh codfish was perfectly cooked and flavorful, although the soup(?) was a little salty. It was our first time trying the special corn/rye bread, and although it wasn't a hit, it was definitely worth a try. The waiter was attentive, friendly, and gave us a great rec for a dry white wine. Overall, I would definitely recommend this place for the riverside views and if you want bacalhau! And maybe bring a light sweater if you're going later at night :) read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
Cute place, but kinda pricey for the portions. It was a misty cold night and we got a table inside. It would have been nice to sit outside but it was full plus it was chilly. Bacalhau - is salted cod fish, so they have a variety of dishes made of bacalhau. We tried the Bacalhau with rice, sardines, and cod fish chips. The Bacalhau with rice dish are these tasty cod fish cake, and the rice is like a hearty stew with veggies and sausage. The sardines in spicy oil, is literally their canned sardines with this olive oil coriander sauce, and the cod fish chips is the skin of the cod fried to perfection. The service was great and it was my first taste of Port in Porto, our server was able to explain to us when and type of Port to drink. We had a great experience. read more
5 years ago
9 years ago
My friend and I came to Bacalhau on our first night in Porto. We went around 9:30pm and there was a 10 minute wait to sit outside. It was a cool evening and we were brought clean blankets to drape around our shoulders. We ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and our waitress cut us a deal when she thought we were hesitant about the price. To start, we ordered Enchidos e Queijos (cheese/meat plate) and Queinjinho tostada com compote de pimentos (toasted cheese with bell pepper compote) -- both delicious! I got the octopus stew, which I loved - definitely worth trying. My friend ordered the Bacalhou which was good but not super flavorful. Overall, great food and totally worth it for the view! read more
We had a great first lunch in Porto here. The menu wasn't very extensive, but they had a few good local dishes. I had the shrimp porridge, which was very flavourful and filling. The cod was also very good, with the side of rice very tasty too. The green wine we had hit the spot -- a must try when you're here. Service was very good. The staff members were very friendly and prompt in everything. Ambience was the best part of the experience. Situated right by the river, we enjoyed both the view and the sunset, if you time your meal right! read more
6 years ago
Bacalhau is a small place with a modern decor in the small alleys of the Ribeira in Porto. We tried the cod skin chips with tomato puree, fresh cod, pork belly and octopus rice. The food was absolutely wonderful. I don't know how they manage to make octopus legs so soft. However, the octopus rice was too big for two people - I think it could have been shared among 4. The prices are also slightly high. read more
7 years ago
9 years ago
Quaint and cozy lil restaurant tucked away in a corner with an amazing view of the river. I tried some of their tapas and the bacalhau paste and cheese platter was really good. Many of the other dishes in the menu looked quite tasty; would definitely want to try some more in the future. The service is on point and the prices are very reasonable. If is not too windy, try to seat outside. Great place for an epic picture. read more
9 years ago
Visiting in Porto, we were looking for great seafood. What better place to go than Bacalhau (Cod). We ate at an outside table on a cool evening, with a great view of the Douro River. We ordered cod chips, cod pate, and their signature bacalhau. The cod chips were thin crispy, lightly salted cod skin (no, not the scales!) with a dish of tomato based sauce with a drip of olive oil in the middle. I was reminded of pork rinds, but the flavor was much lighter and the chip thinner. The pate was similar in texture to a smoked whitefish spread, but this was again, a delicate flavor with a bit of olive oil in the canning jar it was served in. Served with crispy bread rounds and pickled onion, it was a great starter with the wine or "super bock" we had. It took a while for the main course to come, and if it had not been so chilly, I would have welcomed the chance to sit back and take in the view of the river. I had decided to do 4 stars as I took a quick walk around the building to warm up a bit. However, when I got back to the table, they had brought out blankets! That was followed quickly by a phenomenal dish of cod on top of a potato and ... not sure what else, but it was great. The slab of fish was perfectly cooked, flaky, moist, and tender. The fish flavors permeated the bed of potato shreds. I could happily eat this once a week for the rest of my life. Desert was figs and cheese; the figs (preserved) were on a bed of finely chopped nuts and the cheese - thinly sliced triangles - was draped over the figs like a tent. I think this could have been better if they had used fresh figs, but there was nothing left on the plate. We would strongly recommend a visit if you are in Porto. read more
8 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
8 years ago
11 years ago
A perfect place, with a view of the Douro river, homemade food, and very welcoming staff, very attentive. Perfect for eating for two. Enjoy read more
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