2 Best Restaurants in Vila do Conde, Northern Portugal

Vila do Conde native Paulo André has worked with top chefs around Portugal; he is now applying his evident talent just steps from the Rio Ave, producing eye-catching, delicious creations from the best local ingredients. Signature mains include sea bass with creamy clam-and-prawn rice, garnished with seaweed and trout roe, and the equally sophisticated bacalhau and octopus creations. In addition, you can order meat dishes such as duck magret with wild mushroom and truffle risotto, offset with tangy Azores cheese, and lamb carré with a pistachio crust and mustard and honey sauce. The desserts don't disappoint, either: try the dense Guinness cake with honeycomb, berries and salted caramel ice cream, or passion-fruit tart with saffron and dill, accompanied by pineapple sorbet. 

This longtime favorite, overlooking a pleasant riverside garden, has walls that are adorned with old guitars, carvings of saints, ceramic birds, and vintage books—you know the kind of place. In warm weather the terrace out front is a great place to dine on some of the best seafood in town, though it is not cheap.