A food guide for the Minho region 🥘

The Minho region is located in the north of Portugal and holds 24 cities within the districts of Viana do Castelo and Braga. This is where Portugal was born, more specifically in Guimarães. Therefore, there’s no shortage of historical buildings and cultural events to visit and get to know the country's heritage in depth. 🏰 The famous Minho hospitality is synonymous with full tables, traditional dishes and fresh wines. 🍷 This is no place to come if you’re on a diet! If you want to taste the best of the local cuisine, this is definitely where you want to be!

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Where to eat?

Arcos de Valdevez

Espaço Vinhos e Sabores

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This is an experience built around the tasting of local products: wine, honey, jam, cheese, … You can count on several options for pairing dishes with unique wines in the world.

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Saber ao Borralho

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Rustic restaurant and one of the best in the area. The typical dish is oven-roasted Cachena - the meat is roasted in a wood oven and melts in your mouth. It is accompanied by potatoes, vegetables and beans.

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Doçaria Central de Arcos de Valdevez

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This is the place to come to taste "Charutos dos Arcos", one of the 7 Wonders of Sweets of Portugal. It’s basically egg yolks and sugar mixed together and then wrapped in a wafer.

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Pão de Ló de Soajo

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Pão-de-ló de Soajo began in the 80s, when its owner returned from the USA to run the family business. To this day, it perpetuates the tradition and the family's secret, homemade recipe.

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Ponte de Lima

Encanada

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One of the many restaurants in Ponte de Lima famous for the traditional dishes of Papas de Sarrabulho and Sarrabulho Rice. It is a dish where rice is made with pig's blood and served with various shredded meats. It may sound disgusting to outsiders, but it's actually delicious! You can also try the cod fritters (bolinhos de bacalhau), which is a pastry made of potatoes and cod fish.

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A Carvalheira

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Another great restaurant where you can eat Sarrabulho, as well as other delicious dishes. As a bonus, you can order the Portuguese Egg Custard, or Leite Creme as we call it, which is also a traditional dessert similar to crème brûlée.

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Os Telhadinhos

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Small, hidden local gem. Serves all the traditional dishes but with a small twist: the names in the menu are slightly “spicy “.

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Honestly, the best restaurant in Ponte de Lima is my mom’s house. She is the best cook! She’ll cook you the best Sarrabulho. Or, if you’re in a mood for comfort food, the Portuguese stew can also be a great fit. I don’t know about you, fellow Portuguese foodies, but it always reminds me of Sunday lunch with family.

And for dessert, our famous Arroz Doce or Sweet Rice.

Braga

Restaurante Cozinha da Sé

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Referenced in the Michelin guide as one of the most frequented restaurants in the city, with a central location, rustic-modern style and where you can taste well-prepared traditional Portuguese cuisine.

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El Olivo

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A place with an open kitchen, which combines the best of international and Portuguese cuisine.

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Os Eusébios Braga

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The discussion “what is the best Francesinha?” is an old one! And I take no part in it. What I can give you is my recommendation of a place with a good Francesinha at a reasonable price. The rest is up to you!

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Restaurante Tia Isabel

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Lovely space with a wide menu. But since we’re in the topic of traditional food, you should probably try the cod.

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Restaurant Cruz Sobral

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Restaurant with a family atmosphere, where you can try the local traditional dessert "Abade de Priscos’ pudding".

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Gerês

Pousadela Village

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Traditional food paired with a panoramic view of the gorgeous Peneda-Gerês National Park.

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Adega Regional O Vaticano

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Here we can taste several regional dishes, including oven-roasted Serra do Gerês goat, in a familiar and welcoming atmosphere.

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Petiscos da Bó Gusta

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Restaurant with an excellent selection of tapas for those who prefer to have a snack.

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Hotel Central Jardim

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The owner of this hotel was a baker in some of the most notorious bakeries in Lisbon. When he acquired the hotel, started to make the infamous “Santa Eufémia Pastries” to offer to his clients. Nowadays, they can be purchased to order. The recipe is a secret and is being passed down from generation to generation.

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Where to stay?

Axis Viana

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Great location in Viana do Castelo.

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Melia Braga

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Located in Braga, one of the oldest cities in Portugal. Modern style architecture. The restaurant “El Olivo” is also here.

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Pousadela Village - Aldeamento Turístico

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Luxury style refuge in the middle of nature. The most incredible rooms are are decorated as if they were inside of a rock.

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Tempus Hotel & Spa

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I love wellness and spa treatments every time I go on a weekend getaway! This is a great place to shut down from the rest of the world and just relax.

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Pousada Viana do Castelo

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One of the most renowned places to stay in Viana do Castelo. With a privileged view of the city, facing the Santa Lúzia Sanctuary, which is one of the main sights of the city.

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Selina Gerês

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Pet friendly, with community spaces and close to the nature, this one is for the open minded and free spirited people!

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Eurostars Santa Luzia

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Located at walking distance of the city’s downtown. Great decoration and delicious breakfast.

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Pousada Mosteiro Amares

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This place is the result of the restoration of a Cistercian Monastery from the 12th century. Imagine yourself sleeping in a place filled with history, myths and legends. It’s also pet friendly.

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Portugal Active Hábito's Lodge

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Luxury modern villa with a marvellous outdoor heated pool with a waterfall. It’s a holiday home with 3 bedrooms, located a few minutes drive away from the beach.

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FeelViana Sport Hotel

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Staying just 200m away from the beach, this is not only a hotel but an entire experience. If you’re the adventurous type, kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding and stand up paddle are just some of the activities you can do here. If you feel like relaxing, there’s also the spa or the Yoga and Pilates studio.

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Carmo’S Boutique Hotel

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Being part of the list of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World since 2015 should speak for itself. This is both a sophisticated and relaxed place, of great taste. From the magnificent spa treatments, to the evening cocktails, you’re in for a treat.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Inês Ribeiro

Currently a full time nurse who spends all her money traveling! Nice to meet you! My name is Inês, and, as many of you, I suffer from what you can call wanderlust. I’m an adventurer at heart and love to explore new places and cultures. I’ve been traveling with my boyfriend for several years now, and I’m always the planner! I do the research and plan everything we do, from the places we stay and eat, to the activities we do and hidden gems we need to find. And I love it! ❤️ - I can go with the flow too, I’m not as strict as it might sound!- That’s why I’m here. To help you do the same, but without the amount of work it takes 😮‍💨 My page will specialize in the beauties of my home country, Portugal. 🇵🇹 Not to worry, I will also share my abroad adventures and tips with you! 🌍 🗺️ Custom Itineraries: tailor-made trips just for you, which is just what I do best! If you want to visit a place I haven’t been to yet, let me connect with my international friends. I’m sure I can handle the task 😉 So, follow along and come find out the trip of your dreams!

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Viana do Castelo, Portugal