Looking for the best brunch in Porto? I think I can help.
I first visited Porto in 2022 and completely fell in love with the city. So much so, that my husband and I returned for a full month stay this winter (2023) to get a better feel for the city. During our stay, we had the opportunity to try a ton of the best brunch spots in Porto.
But as you know, some Porto brunch spots shine brighter than others. Read on to see a firsthand roundup of the best brunch in Porto. Hope you enjoy!
You may enjoy reading: 20 Memorable Things to Do in Porto, Portugal
Best Brunch Porto, Portugal
#10. Zenith
Zenith seems to be all the rage these days. You’re bound to find Zenith gracing any list of the best Porto brunch spots, and while it fit the bill, I personally wouldn’t consider this the best brunch in Porto. However, it’s a great spot to go if you have a large group of people, so I’m putting it on the list.
First, the vibe is great. Youthful, chatty, colorful and alive — this is the place you want to be. Second, those oreo pancakes!! I have an insatiable sweet tooth (if you haven’t noticed by now) but the oreo pancakes seemed insurmountable to me.
I assumed they would be way too sweet, but decided to order them regardless (hey! my birthday is only 8 months away, need to stay preparing for my cake). All I can say is that I couldn’t stop eating them, they were delicious, I especially liked the banana cream.
For what its worth: Will ordered the salmon bagel dish and said it was so-so, which means you can skip it without remorse.
#9. Cafe Negra
Cafe Negra came highly recommended by our Airbnb host and I’m glad we followed through on the recommendation! I ordered the eggs Florentine (hollandaise sauce, spinach, bread, tomato sauce with poached eggs). The dish was very tasty and presented beautifully. Great find!
#8. Nicolau Porto
My first introduction to Nicolau was in Lisbon. Will and I spent a month exploring the city and started most weekends at a new brunch spot. While exploring a new-to-us part of town, we stumbled upon Nicolau and bookmarked the restaurant, planning to return the following weekend.
Sunday rolls around and we find ourselves standing in a short line waiting to get it. This looks like one of the most popular brunches in Porto so I imagine the longs are very long in the summer months.
The vibe is very hip and relaxed, the servers are low-key and kind. I ordered the shakshuka with an energy shot and coffee. Everything was great and I would return. For what it’s worth, this seems like a popular spot for groups. There’s 2-3 large tables and they were all full.
#7. 7g roaster
7g roaster is part hotel, part restaurant but it seems to excel in both. Located across the river in Gaia, the restaurant is super chic, modern, clean and offers superb brunch in Porto. Plus, the kindness of the charismatic staff is hard to beat.
As you can probably guess by the name, this is a coffee roaster as well and you can bet the coffee it top-notch. The knowledgeable baristas are happy to tell you everything you need to know about the blend of the hour or the best roasting methods for specific beans.
Definitely one of the better brunches in Porto, worth a stop!
#6. Do Norte Café by Hungry Biker
Do Norte Cafe was our first brunch in Porto. We didn’t know it’d end up being one of our favorites as well. Serving generous portions in the cutest environment (they have a wood burning stove!), this place was a treat.
I ordered the pancakes and Will got the All I Need plate (eggs, sausage, ham, beans, toast and salad). Even though the portions were large, we ended up finishing the entire meal. Between the quaint setting and great food, I can confidently say this is some of the best brunch in Porto.
Top 5 Best Brunch Spots in Porto
#5. Garden Porto Cafe
The best way I know to describe this Porto brunch spot is “delicious without being overpriced.” This spot is not tailored towards offering spendy menu items but rather focuses on keeping the food to price ratio fair.
As for the food? It’s excellent! The pancakes and acai bowls were clear standouts during our visit but the Eggs Benedict were quite tempting too.
#4. Miss Pavlova
Those of you that have been to Portugal before might call me out for this one. A cake place on a list of the best brunch in Porto? Yes! Even though Miss Pavlova is best known for cakes (the best!), they actually serve some of the best brunch in Porto, so it’s worth a stop.
The menu is well curated without being overwhelming. I ordered the pancakes and will got a savory dish (eggs Benedict). Much like with their cakes, everything was cooked to perfection. Brunch, dessert or midday pick-me-up, you can’t go wrong here.
#3. Swallow Decadent Brunch
Swallow Decadent Brunch is the passion project of two ambitious Canadians living in Porto. The idea is to bring traditional brunch to Porto using locally sourced ingredients.
We first learned about little spot from a friend that raved about it after her trip. She claimed it was the best brunch in Porto, so we instantly added it to our Porto itinerary. We took a scenic walk over one Sunday morning and found ourselves surprised by the beautiful interior!
The decor is top notch and the service is some of the friendliest you’ll find in the city but the food is where they shine. I ordered pancakes and Will order the “Like A Boss” breakfast dish (fried chicken, waffles, mac & cheese, home fries, and seasonal fruit).
Both dishes really hit the spot, but (for me) the pancakes were a clear winner. Of all the best Porto brunch restaurants we visited, these were definitely the best pancakes. Perfectly fluffy and flavorful, the toppings were very fresh and the syrup was divine. Great experience!
#2. Hakko
Hakko was my second favorite spot, but Will considers this the best brunch in Porto. Fighting words, I know. For the record, I think the next spot tops Hakko — but alas, taste buds are finicky things.
Hakko is part bakery, part brunch restaurant in Porto. We decided to stick with brunch fare rather than delve into the delicious baked goods so we ordered coffee while perusing the menu. The coffee was top notch, some of the best we had in Porto and the brunch dishes were equally great!
I ordered the Turkish Eggs and Will opted for a Cuban sandwhich. We ate our respective dishes without much back-and-forth, we were both satisfied!
Their baked goods were so tempting, almost irresistible, and I would have ordered the cardamon bun had the Turkish eggs not been so filling. The homemade sourdough bread is the biggest draw. It’s served warm and you can order butter, oil, jam, etc.
This is one of the best spots for brunch in Porto, but it’s tiny. Arrive around opening time to avoid waiting in a long line, the food is worthwhile (grab some baked goods to go).
#1. Época
After trying so many great Porto brunch spots, I can definitely tell you that Época serves the absolute best brunch in Porto. This is what dreams are made of, people! It’s a very charming cafe that exudes cozy Nordic vibes, all the more reason to visit.
Will ordered the Turkish Eggs (a dreamy dish of poached eggs with yogurt) and I had the pancakes. Both dishes were exceptional, so much so that we returned the next day for the same order. Sounds bizarre, I know. But something you find a dish you know you’ll never see again and you need to get your fill.
We noticed a scrambled egg dish (served on a generous slice of homemade bread) and plan to get that next time we visit. Seems like everything churning out of the kitchen will exceed expectations. This is definitely the best brunch in Porto, in my opinion.
Best Brunch in Porto (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a quick roundup of the best Porto brunch spots. You can’t go wrong with any of these gems.
- Do Norte Café
- Nicolau Porto
- Garden Porto Cafe
- Swallow Decadent Brunch
- 7g roaster
- Zenith
- Miss Pavlova
- Cafe Negra
- Hakko
- Época
Map of the best Porto brunch spots
Cheers!
What do you think?