The Douro region, globally renowned for its wines and stunning landscapes, is also a must-visit for food enthusiasts. The local cuisine is rich in authentic flavors and fresh ingredients, offering a memorable gastronomic experience.
In this article, Feel Discovery will present some restaurant options that combine the region's rich gastronomy with its breathtaking landscapes. Additionally, we'll highlight some traditional dishes you should try during your stay.
Restaurants Overlooking the Douro River
D.O.C
The renowned D.O.C Restaurant by chef Rui Paula, located in the heart of Folgosa, Armamar municipality, is a true gem on the banks of the Douro River. The building, with its wooden structure over the Douro waters, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape. Travelers enjoy a wonderful landscape along the riverside road between Régua and Pinhão, leading to the restaurant.
In addition to the spectacular scenery, D.O.C Restaurant offers an innovative menu that harmonizes tradition and modernity. The dishes are meticulously prepared with local and seasonal ingredients, providing an authentic gastronomic experience from Trás-os-Montes and Douro.
Location: National Road 222 – Folgosa 5110-204 Armamar, Portugal; GPS: 41° 9′ 5.2″ N / 7° 40′ 56.7″ W
Contacts: +351 254 858 123 (national landline); +351 910 014 040 (national mobile); doc@ruipaula.com
Information: Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Castas e Pratos (Peso da Régua)
Located in a former railway station, Castas e Pratos offers a unique atmosphere with a charming view of the Douro. Its wine list is impressive, and the dishes celebrate the cuisine of the Douro region, prepared with care and attention to detail.
The space is multifaceted, ideal for enjoying a variety of products from diverse commerce, preferably acquired in the national market, with a focus on Douro wines.
The restaurant presents a modern and creative gastronomic proposal, always respecting the region's typical flavors. The venue's "Wine Bar" is a distinctive space, both in concept and decoration, where visitors can enjoy exclusive wines accompanied by a varied selection of gourmet products, in a very pleasant environment.
Location: Av. José Vasques Osório 5050-280, Peso da Régua; GPS: 41° 9' 28.627/7° 47' 0.371"W
Contacts: 254 323 290 or 927 200 010; email: info@castasepratos.com
Torrão (Peso da Régua)
Located in the city of Peso da Régua, Torrão Restaurant is a must-stop for those wishing to explore Douro's gastronomy. The restaurant is strategically located to offer stunning views of the Douro River, providing a unique and welcoming atmosphere.
Torrão Restaurant stands out for its gastronomic offerings that celebrate the authentic flavors of the region. The dishes are carefully prepared with fresh ingredients, offering a memorable culinary experience that combines tradition and innovation. Moreover, it's an ideal place to enjoy local wines, perfectly complementing the meals.
Location: Lugar do Torrão 5100-836 Valdigem Lamego; GPS: GPS: 41.152987, -7.7816222
Contacts: +351 254 313 850
Cais da Ferradosa (São João da Pesqueira)
In the heart of São João da Pesqueira, an old Douro train station has been transformed into a restaurant, Cais da Ferradosa. The incomparable riverside restaurant offers a unique gastronomic experience, combining stunning views typical of the Douro's terraced vineyards with refined cuisine that celebrates the authentic and traditional flavors of the Douro region.
Cais da Ferradosa is known for its cuisine that values fresh, locally sourced ingredients, carefully selected to ensure quality and authenticity in every dish. Visitors can enjoy a variety of dishes inspired by regional gastronomy, accompanied by a selection of local wines.
Location: EN222-3 Ferradosa 5130 São João da Pesqueira
Contacts: +351 254 402 899; email: info@caisdaferradosa.pt
Traditional Dishes You Must Try
Gastronomy is one of the deepest forms of connection, where we can learn about the history, tradition, and identity of a specific region, and the Douro region is no exception!
Therefore, here, we will present some of the most iconic and delicious traditional dishes of the Douro region, which convey the true expression of a people's soul. Get ready to awaken your palate and enrich your cultural knowledge with these indispensable delicacies.
Bola de Lamego
Bola de Lamego is a traditional Douro delicacy whose roots date back to the 19th century, initially prepared in taverns and private homes. This gastronomic ball has evolved into various versions over the years, such as Bola de Carne (meat), Bola de Bacalhau (codfish), and Bola de Sardinha de Lamego (sardine), adapting to the varied tastes and lifestyles of the region. The basic recipe includes flour, eggs, yeast, salt, and olive oil, while the filling is enriched with regional ingredients like ham and salpicão sausage. Bola de Lamego can be served as an appetizer, snack, or light meal.
Annually, during the month of June, Lamego celebrates its culinary tradition with the Feira da Bola de Lamego. In this unmissable event, visitors have the opportunity to taste different versions of this delicacy, paired with local sparkling wine or Douro wines.
Posta à Mirandesa
Posta à Mirandesa is one of Portugal's most well-known dishes, consisting of a thick and juicy steak, cut like warm butter, traditionally served with "a murro" potatoes and a salad of peppers or turnip greens.
The key to ensuring quality lies in the meat, which must be certified. It's not enough to label any tender, thick steak as Posta à Mirandesa. For it to truly be considered Posta à Mirandesa, the meat must exclusively come from the bovine breed of Miranda do Douro. Anything else, even if prepared in the same way, may simply be a steak without the specific geographic authenticity that is often attributed to it without criteria.
Rebuçados da Régua
Rebuçados da Régua are typical sweets from Peso da Régua, thought to have originated as a way for mothers to sustain their children. The tradition of selling these sweets is carried out by women who are found outside the Régua station.
These Douro sweets are usually sold in bags with several units, individually wrapped in paper, like most sweets. The ingredients of this sweet consist of sugar, lemon, and a lot of honey. The consistency of the candies is hard due to the solidification that occurs when the hot mixture falls onto the cold marble stone. After this, it is cut into circles with the help of scissors and ready to be sold.
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