Coimbra

A Taberna

If you want to try chanfana, one of the most famous dishes of the region, you should definitely go to this restaurant, close to the football stadium. This restaurant is specialized in a limited amount of dishes, but the quality of the food is just amazing. Go there at night, and try the chanfana, even though you may not have a clue about what this is. This is the place for those who really appreciate good food. Don't go too late at night, because it can be a little crowded. The restaurant is very good, and it's located in the most densely populated area of the city.

12:30–15:00 & 19:30–22:30, closed Sun dinner & Mon lunch

Fangas Mercearia Bar

Small but tasty dishes, rich in flavour mainly because they use local products, good vegetarian even vegan choice, nice selection of Portuguese wines, surprising(ly good) desserts.

Mon–Wed 19:00–23:00, Thu Fri 19:00–23:30, Sat 12:30–15:30 & 19:00–23:30, Sun 12:30–15:30 & 19:00–23:00

Itália

The Italian restaurant in the city park and over the river, very close to the Santa Clara bridge (very popular with tourists). You have a lot of outside tables, if the weather permits, and the food is prepared by Italian cooks. It's not very expensive either.

Tue–Sun 11:30–23:30, Mon closed

João dos Leitões

One of the most typical restaurants of the city. Its main dish is a roasted piglet served whole with potatoes and salad.

Mon–Fri 09:00–19:00, Sat 09:00–15:00, Sun closed·EUR 5–EUR 18

Molho de Brocolos

Organic vegan food. Location isn't great tucked away at the back of the 2nd floor of a slightly run-down shopping centre, but the food and the staff totally make up for it.

€5-8 mains

O Telheiro

On the downside, it is very hard to get a table (but you will get one if you wait) and it is out of the centre of Coimbra (approx. 5 min from Coimbra B train station).

Tue-Sat 12:00–15:00 & 19:00–23:00, Sun Mon closed·EUR 10–EUR 25

Restaurante Vitória

Restaurante Vitória is in the city centre and has traditional dishes suchs as "cozido à portuguesa", "bacalhau assado na brasa", "chafana". Nice and quiet restaurant.

Salão Brasil

In the "baixinha" (downtown) centre. A unique room, with huge windows and very spacious, invites for a relaxed meal. The food is great with some unique dishes from around the country - like "Vitela Maronesa" and "Secretos de Porco preto". Vegetarian meals. During the weekends there is jazz, folk and fado concerts - most of them for free. It's great to finish your meal - you have plenty of time, Portuguese are always late - and get a concert right there. Sometimes they get very crowded.

Tue–Sat 18:00–02:00, Sun Mon closed

Toscana

Another very popular Italian restaurant, close to the new bridge. The decoration is great, with a lot of pictures from Florence, Venice, Rome. The quality of the food is quite high. It's definitely not your standard pizza.

Mon 19:00–22:30, Tue–Sat 12:00–15:00 & 19:00–22:30, Sun closed

Zé Manel dos Ossos

A unique atmosphere inside the restaurant is responsible for this fame, but the food is good too. The walls of the restaurant are filled with small pieces of paper, with writings from clients. Be aware that it is quite a small space, so there's a big probability that you won't find a table. Generous portions and a charcoal grill that makes a big difference compared with the electric ones. Try the bone marrow stew (from which the restaurant takes its name) or the grilled seabass or a great dish of stewed octopus and potatoes.

Mon–Sat 12:30–15:00 & 19:30–22:00, Sun closed