Founded in 1143, Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe. During this period, the Portuguese were intrepid seafarers navigating the coasts of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe. Along the way, they traded food products and received influences from different cultures.
A Little Portugal in South London sprang up in the 1960s and 1970s. Portugal has many traditional dishes such as Piri Piri Chicken, Bacalhau, and Pastel de Natas. There is an excellent opportunity to taste a cuisine rich in seafood, meat, fresh fruit and vegetables at some of the best Portuguese restaurants in London.
The Best Portuguese Restaurants in London
If you are intrigued by the flavours of Portugal, here is our guide to six of the best Portuguese restaurants in London.
1. Bar Douro – The Spirit of Portugal
Founder Max opened Bar Douro, a Portuguese restaurant at London Bridge, in 2016 when he saw a gap in London’s restaurant market for Portuguese food and wine. Max spent his childhood in Portugal, where his family ran a wine-producing business in the Douro Valley.
A second restaurant, Bar Douro City, followed in 2020.
Beneath the railway arches in Flat Iron Square, Bar Douro is an absolute gem. The food and service are impeccable, and the wine list is 100% Portuguese. The restaurant is bright and airy and decorated in azulejos tiles. You can dine at the bar and watch the food preparation, which will whet your appetite. Or, there is an outside terrace ideal for alfresco dining.
The Bacalhau à Brás, a salt cod hash, stands out for £9.00.
Other highlights include Sea Bass and Mussel feijoada at £15.00.
For dessert, the Pastel de Nata, little custard tarts served with cinnamon ice cream, are a delight at £5.00.
Bar Douro serves some of the best Portuguese food in London, and the Portuguese wine is excellent. The staff are incredibly friendly and accommodating. It is a relaxed vibe and is ideal for people dining alone, in couples, or in small groups.
An area on the mezzanine floor is perfect for small parties of 6 to 12.
Address: Arch 35B, 85B Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 0NQ
Telephone: 020 7378 0524
2. Casa do Frango – A Taste of the Algarve
Childhood memories inspired Casa do Frango, triggered by memories of dining on Frango Piri Piri with friends and family in Portugal’s Algarve region. The restaurant brushes the Piri Piri chicken with a traditional blend of Piri Piri before grilling over wood charcoal.
Casa do Frango has three venues, one in Shoreditch, another in Piccadilly, and another Portuguese restaurant at London Bridge.
The London Bridge restaurant is the first Casa do Frango and is in a beautiful building with a vaulted glass ceiling. Once a former industrial building, it has loads of streaming natural light and greenery draped around the room.
Casa do Frango’s reputable signature dish, Piri Piri Chicken is on the menu. Half a chicken is available for £12.50. The chicken is high-welfare standard and free-roaming from UK farms.
African rice is another popular signature dish. The rice comes with chorizo, crispy chicken skin, and plantain for £7.00.
The Bacalhau Fritters, salt cod fritters, are beautifully made with a thin layer of batter for £8.00.
Several vegan options include a whole Grilled Cauliflower marinated in honey, lemon, and Piri Piri, priced at £10.00. The Chargrilled Hipsi Cabbage, served with a roasted pepper sauce, is delicious at £5.00.
Casa do Frango feels like an escape from the city. The interior gives the impression of being on holiday. The service is terrific, and the food is fantastic. The Portuguese restaurant near London Bridge gets busy, even midweek afternoons, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Address: 32 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1TU
Telephone: 020 3972 2323
3. Volta do Mar – A Culinary History
Volta do Mar embraces the rich culinary history of Portuguese cuisine by serving a medley of dishes with influences from South America, Africa, and Asia.
The owners, a husband and wife team, traced the family history through a voyage of food and travel. They discovered marriages that crossed continents and came up with the name Volta do Mar, meaning to return from the sea.
The Portuguese restaurant in Covent Garden has a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award.
The Grilled Chicken Wings for £11.00 and Grilled Prawns for £12.50 make excellent starters.
There is a fresh Market Catch of the Day for a main course cooked superbly at £45.00 for two people.
A delicious cooked Chickpea and Aubergine Goan Curry in a coconut sauce is available for £19.00.
Volta do Mar offers a Set menu, £25.00 for three courses and four courses for £30.00. Options include Smoked Ham Hock Croquettes, Piri Piri Chicken with Chips, and Baked Salt Cod with cream and potatoes.
There is also a choice of three Feasting Menus, priced at £45.00, £55.00, and £60.00 per person.
Dining at Volta do Mar is a wonderful gastronomy journey around the globe. The service is perfect, and the Portuguese restaurant in Covent Garden is an excellent place for families. Staff will do everything to help parents relax and enjoy their meals.
Address: 13 – 15 Tavistock Street, London, WC2E 7PS
Telephone: 020 3034 0028
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4. O Tino – Authentic Portuguese Cuisine
A husband and wife team, Tino and Elizabeth originally ran a restaurant in Almada, Portugal. They later moved to the UK and established O Tino, which brother and sister Pedro and Denise now run.
O Tino, a Portuguese restaurant in Camden Town, is an easy-going, relaxed restaurant with exceptionally friendly service. There is an excellent selection of dishes, and the staff happily guide you through the traditional menu.
Grilled sardines are a traditional dish in Portugal, and O Tino’s has them on the menu at £8.50 for four. You can add potatoes and salad, and the price of the dish is £12.50.
Bacalhau à Braz, another Portuguese national dish, is £16.50 and cooked perfectly by O Tino.
The authentic Pastel de Nata is delicious at £1.80.
O Tino is a cosy and homely Portuguese restaurant in Camden Town, the staff are professional, and the hospitality is fantastic. The dishes are classic home-cooked food with the bonus of being reasonably priced. A visit to O Tino’s is a must if you love Portuguese food. If you have never tried the cuisine, O Tino’s is a marvellous place to start.
Address: 1 Plender Street, Camden Town, London, NW1 0JS
Telephone: 020 7388 3084
5. O Cantinho – A Restaurant in Little Portugal
A family-run restaurant, O Cantinho is a Portuguese restaurant in South London, at the heart of Little Portugal, a name given to the large Portuguese community living there. Enter O Cantinho and feel like you have travelled to a different country.
Choosing dishes off the menu is fun and exciting. There is a map for each course, showing where the dish originates. It is also clear to see which plates can be made plant-based.
The Grilled Sardines are an excellent starter. They are a popular dish in Portugal, typically caught off the coast near Lisbon, for £6.00.
The Cataplana Algarvia is a seafood dish from the Algarve region, and it is delicious for £18.00.
A Francesinha, a Porto Sandwich from North Portugal, comes with sausage, steak, ham and cheese for £16.00. There is a vegan variant with vegan cheese and sausage.
The staff are knowledgeable, and the service is top-notch. The food is incredibly flavourful and fresh. The Portuguese are exceptionally family-orientated, and O Cantinho carries on this part of their culture in their restaurant. For some of the best Portuguese food in South London, visit O Cantinho.
Address: 137 Stockwell Road, London, SW9 9TN
Telephone: 020 7924 0218
6. A Portuguese Love Affair – A Deli Cafe
A Portuguese Love Affair first opened in 2013 and later opened a deli restaurant in 2016. They wanted to fill their place with fantastic food from Portugal and share it with lovely people. Their success spreads far and wide, and they feature in many international media.
The food is simple and deliciously authentic, such as Beef Croquette at £1.70 and a tasty Vegan Empenada for £2.00.
Or, order a Board of Cheese and Meats for £20.00, add a glass of Vinho Verde and experience a taste of Portuguese food in East London.
The Portuguese cafe serves a weekend brunch menu, 11 am to 1 pm.
An online shop sells various food products, wine, and homeware.
A Portuguese Love Affair is a great little Portuguese cafe in London run by passionate people selling mouthwatering food.
Address: 326 Hackney Road, E2 7AX
Telephone: 020 3490 2662
Tips for Choosing the Best Portuguese Food
- What is the most famous food in Portugal? Pastel de Nata is a little custard tart and is traditional in Portugal. Be warned. They are dangerously delicious. Another favourite food is Bacalhau, a dry-salted cod, extremely popular in Portugal.
- What makes Portugal food unique? It is relatively healthy and balanced, with plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and olive oil.
- Is Portuguese food salty? Yes, traditionally, Portuguese food is salty. However, there is an awareness of reducing salt intake.