The Vintage Food Tour in Porto Reviewed

Porto isn’t just about port wine (though that’s reason enough to visit) — it’s also a dream city if you love food. I learned pretty quickly just how seriously the locals take their traditional dishes on a gourmet food tour with Taste Porto, and it was the perfect introduction to the city’s flavours.

Portugal’s second-largest city is about 320 km north of Lisbon and is often called the capital of the north. Sure, the two cities share a few things in common — both hug the coast, both are set on riverbanks, and both will give your legs a workout with all those hills. But that’s pretty much where the similarities stop.

Food-wise, Porto has its own spin on Portuguese classics as well as plenty of dishes you’ll only really find up here. I couldn’t wait to dig in and see what made the North’s cuisine so different.

Disclosure: I was kindly hosted by Taste Porto for this tour — but, as always, all opinions (and happy taste buds) are entirely my own.

The Vintage Food Tour is a brilliant way to dive into Porto’s food scene. In just three and a half hours, you’ll be whisked through tucked-away corners of the city to sample some of its tastiest bites. A word of advice: skip lunch (and maybe even breakfast) because the portions are anything but stingy — you’ll be rolling home happily stuffed.

Kicking Off the Porto Food Tour

Here’s how our Porto food tour kicked off. We met near Bolhão metro station, where our guide for the day was André — one of the company’s founders. Not only is he a walking encyclopaedia of Porto’s food scene, but he’s also mad about architecture and history. That meant the strolls between tastings were just as fascinating as the food stops, with André pointing out quirky details and stunning buildings I would have walked straight past on my own.

Folar

Our first stop was just a short stroll away, in a shop that’s been going strong since the 1800s. Stepping inside felt like slipping back a century, with polished wooden counters and old-school fixtures straight out of another era.

Here we tucked into folar, a traditional bread usually enjoyed at Easter. It can swing sweet or savoury, and ours came generously studded with chunks of smoky chouriço and presunto (think Portuguese prosciutto). To make it even better, it was paired with creamy sheep’s milk cheese and a dollop of sweet jam. Honestly, it was the kind of combo that makes you close your eyes and grin.

A Short Break for Coffee

Next on the agenda was a caffeine fix — with chocolate on the side, naturally. We stopped at Porto’s oldest chocolate producer, where the air smelled like heaven. André shared some brilliant tips on how to spot a really good cup of coffee, and if you’ve got even the slightest sweet tooth, the displays here will have you swooning.

 You Have to Try Sardines

Portugal is obsessed with tinned fish, and after this stop I completely understood why. The shelves were stacked with every variety imaginable, beautifully packaged and far fancier than you’d expect. I’ve raved before about the clever little snacks made with these tins, and I couldn’t resist picking up a stash to take home. I know it might sound like an unusual souvenir, but trust me — once you’ve tasted them, you’ll get it. In fact, they make fantastic foodie gifts (even if your friends give you a funny look at first, they’ll be hooked soon enough).

 When in Porto, Drink Like a Local

Plenty of the dishes we tried came with a glass of local wine — but don’t go looking for a Chardonnay or any grape name you’ll recognise. Portugal has around 250 indigenous varieties, and most of the labels will look completely unfamiliar if you’re used to scanning supermarket shelves back home. The fun part? Every pour was perfectly matched to the food, and trying these unique wines alongside the dishes made the whole evening feel like a proper discovery.

Petiscos: Like Tapas, But with a Portuguese Twist

If you’re a fan of tapas in Spain (and I definitely am), you’ll love Portugal’s answer to them — petiscos. They’re similar in style, but with their own little quirks. The folks at Taste Porto have a whole blog post breaking down the differences, or you can do what I did and let André explain it over a glass of wine.

At our next stop, the table filled up with petiscos to share — golden cod fritters and a few other tasty bites — all washed down with yet another perfectly paired pour. Honestly, this way of eating is right up my street.

 A Pork Sandwich Worth Talking About

Our next stop was a proper local hangout — not a tourist in sight. The star here was a simple but ridiculously tasty sandwich stuffed with cured pork, served with a chilled glass of Espadal, a light red wine from the region.

André even went the extra mile with a little surprise. I’d mentioned hearing about a local pig’s ear salad, and before I knew it, a plate appeared at the table alongside some more cod fritters. I’ll be honest — the salad wasn’t for me (all gristle and chew), though the tangy dressing had potential. Still, it was a nice touch that André made it happen, and that kind of personal detail really makes a food tour special.

Wine Again!

We wrapped things up in style at a gorgeous wine shop, where a guided tasting introduced us to a few more local pours. To sweeten the deal, André pulled out pastries and treats we’d picked up earlier from one of Porto’s most famous bakeries. Sipping wine and nibbling on those delights was the perfect way to round off the evening.

Exploring Porto through its food was such a fun way to get under the skin of the city. From folar and cod fritters to unexpected wine pairings, every stop had its own surprise — and I left full, happy, and already planning a return visit.

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