Porto is the second largest city in Portugal and has a rich history of fado and many fado restaurants & bars for dinner. Fado is a Portuguese music genre, which originated in Lisbon but is now popular throughout Portugal. It’s characterized by melancholy lyrics, often about love and longing, accompanied by guitar and voice.
Fado can be traced back to medieval times when troubadours would wander from village to village singing about their feelings. This tradition continued throughout the years until modern fadistas began performing in restaurants in Porto during the late 20th century. Today there are many excellent restaurants where you can enjoy authentic fado music live performances and concerts by some of Portugal’s most talented singers. Here are our top picks for experiencing this rich cultural tradition in the best restaurants in Porto:
1. Casa da Mariquinhas restaurant
This restaurant is located in the heart of the city, near one of Porto’s most famous churches, Santa Clara-a-Velha. It’s a small and cozy place with only about 15 tables, so it’s best to make reservations in advance to avoid waiting. The wait time for a table can be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on when you arrive.
The food served at this restaurant is traditional Portuguese cuisine that has been passed down through generations. The dinner price range is between 20 euros and 30 euros per person (excluding drinks). The fado show starts at 9 pm sharp every night except Friday when it starts at 10:30 pm sharp! If you’re vegetarian or have any allergies/diet restrictions then let them know in advance so they can accommodate your needs!
2. O Fado restaurant
O Fado is a restaurant in the heart of Porto, located in the historic center. It serves traditional Portuguese cuisine and has a great atmosphere. The food is served in a traditional way, which can be seen by looking at the large wooden tables and chairs that are used during meals. There is an extensive menu with many different options to choose from including seafood dishes, meat dishes, and vegetarian options as well.
The wait time for tables can vary depending on what day or time you arrive at this restaurant but it shouldn’t take too long for you to get seated if you arrive early enough (before 7 pm). Prices range between 10-20 Euros per person depending on what type of dish(es) you order! If this sounds like something exciting then make sure to book ahead online first if you are going on the weekend. Those tables can fill up fast, especially around dinner time!
3. Calem Port Wine Cellars restaurant & Bar
Calem Port Wine Cellars is not a restaurant but it can be a very good choice to enjoy fado shows while tasting wine on a bar. It’s located in the heart of Porto, near the Clerigos Tower and Cathedral. Places fill up quickly and the place is sometimes full very early. It is recommended to make reservations early especially if you are going on the weekend. The price range is moderate to expensive depending on what you order, but if you’re looking for something fancy, this place is worth it!
There are two daily performances at 8 p.m., but they also have other events throughout the week such as wine tastings or live music performances! The ambiance at Calem Port Wine Cellars is classy yet casual enough so everyone feels comfortable here whether they’re dressed up or wearing jeans & t-shirts like us 🙂 Smoking isn’t allowed anywhere inside though.
4. A Capela restaurant
A Capela is a restaurant and bar located in the heart of Porto. The terrace has views of the Douro River, making it an excellent spot to enjoy fado while taking in the city’s beautiful landscape. The menu offers traditional Portuguese dishes like codfish with potatoes or grilled octopus, as well as modern takes on classic recipes (for example, sweet potato tempura). There’s also an extensive wine list featuring local wines from Gaia.
The wait for a table depends on when you arrive: early birds should be seated within 30 minutes; those who come later could get stuck waiting up to an hour or more before being seated at one of their communal tables set up around A Capela’s main room or outside on its terrace overlooking Porto’s majestic riverfront district!
If any vegetarians are reading this post then yes there will definitely still be options available for your dinner especially if you don’t mind eating fish which seems unlikely considering how many seafood-based dishes there are listed here already (not all though!). As far as price goes though – expect prices ranging anywhere between 10 euros per person all way up towards 40+ depending on what you are ordering.
5. Adega Rio Douro restaurant
Opened in 2016 by chef Jose Avillez, this restaurant is located in the heart of Porto’s historic center. It offers traditional Portuguese cuisine and fado shows every night that last about an hour. The wait for a table at Adega Rio Douro can be long; however, if you’re having trouble getting reservations or just want to go out on a whim, there’s always the option of ordering food at the bar.
The menu features dishes like codfish cakes with parsley oil sauce; grilled octopus with potato purée; roasted pork loin wrapped in cabbage leaves; roasted chicken breast stuffed with foie gras and mushrooms; beef tenderloin steak cooked medium rare served with fries or rice pilaf bottomed by wine reduction sauce; grilled salmon fillet served with mashed potatoes & vegetable salad topped off with lemon butter sauce
6. Casa da Guitarra restaurant
You’ll find Casa da Guitarra in the heart of Porto, just a few steps from the famous Ribeira District. It’s one of the city’s most traditional fado venues, where you can enjoy an authentic Portuguese experience and eat some delicious food while listening to some classic fados.
The restaurant serves traditional Portuguese cuisine that includes codfish cakes or bacalhau (salted cod) with potatoes, as well as grilled meat dishes like rabbit stewed with white beans or lamb chops served with polenta fries. They also have vegetarian options like pumpkin soup or eggplant salad for those who don’t eat meat.
Casa da Guitarra has two floors: one inside, where people sit down at tables; another one outside, where they stand up while they drink cerveja (beer). There are no reservations available, so make sure you come early so you don’t miss out on any shows! Some nights there might be multiple acts going on at once, so if one doesn’t interest you then move on to another room until something catches your eye!
7. Casa de Pasto Adega da Se restaurant
Casa de Pasto Adega da Se is a restaurant and bar located in the heart of Porto. The food is traditional Portuguese, with an emphasis on meat dishes like bacalhau (salted cod) and roast suckling pig. The decor is rustic and welcoming, making this place a great spot to enjoy some good food while listening to fado music.
The wait time for tables can vary depending on how busy they are, but you should expect a wait during peak hours! The price range is moderate. There’s no set time for when the fado show will start; instead, it depends on how many people are there at any given moment. This means that sometimes your show could start immediately after ordering and other times you may have to wait over half an hour before getting started!
Casa de Pasto Adega da Se welcomes vegetarians so long as they are willing to eat seafood dishes such as bacalhau (salted cod). You’ll also find plenty of choices if dairy products aren’t part of your diet either, there are plenty of salads available without cheese toppings!
Is Fado in Lisbon or Porto?
Lisbon is the home of fado, a traditional Portuguese music that has been performed for centuries. While Porto has its own version of Fado, Lisbon’s version is considered more authentic and traditional.
What is the dress code for Fado?
You’ll want to dress up for your fado dinner. It’s not a formal affair, but you should look nice: no flip-flops or beachwear. Women should wear a long skirt, a blouse, and a shawl; men should wear a blazer and maybe a tie if they’re feeling adventurous.
Is it rude not to tip in Portugal?
You’re in Portugal, and you’re eating dinner. You’ve had a lovely meal and are ready to pay, but there’s something missing from your bill: tipping. Are you supposed to leave a tip?
The answer is yes and no. Tipping in Portugal is not required or expected by most people, but it’s definitely appreciated when done out of goodwill or gratitude for good service (and sometimes even demanded).
That said, some establishments include an automatic gratuity on their bills; this usually applies only to restaurants with waiters who receive tips directly from customers rather than through their employers (which means they may not make much money off of this added bonus). However, taxi drivers do expect small change if they have helped carry luggage or assisted with finding directions during your journey–so keep those coins handy!
What is Fado dinner?
Fado dinner is a traditional Portuguese meal that includes a fado show. It’s a great way to experience the culture of Porto, as well as try some traditional cuisine.
Fado music originated in Portugal and has been around since the 18th century. The genre’s history can be traced back to Moorish roots, which makes it unique when compared with other European music styles from this time period. Fado singers are known for their melancholy tones and sad lyrics about love lost or unrequited love (or even death).
How long does a fado show last?
Fado shows are typically scheduled for one to two hours, but the duration of the show depends on your venue. If you’re having dinner in a typical restaurant, the show will likely last an hour or less. However, if you go to one of Porto’s fado houses (which are more like concert halls), then expect your experience to last at least two hours and possibly up to three hours or longer if there are several performers taking turns singing songs.
What is the traditional music in Porto?
Fado is the traditional music of Portugal, and it has been popularized by artists such as Amalia Rodrigues and Mariza. Fado can be sung by either a solo singer or a group of singers who will share their stories through song. The words of these songs are often tragic and nostalgic, reflecting on past loves and losses.
The word fado comes from faar (meaning fate) in Old Portuguese, which was used to describe any kind of lamentation or complaint during medieval times.
What is a fado experience?
Fado is a traditional Portuguese music genre that often features vocals, guitar, and hand percussion. It can be traced back to the 19th century when it originated as a way for poor people to express their feelings about love and loss in spite of social conventions that discouraged such displays in public.
Fado also refers to the experience of visiting one of Porto’s many small restaurants where fado performances take place. When you sit down at your table, it’s customary for someone from the staff (usually the owner) to come over and ask if there’s anything else they can bring you before starting your meal with bread or olives. You may also be offered an alcoholic drink before dinner begins, but don’t worry: unlike some other places around Europe where this might happen (looking at you France), Portugal has extremely lax laws regarding serving alcohol; anyone younger than 18 can legally drink beer or wine here!
