Last Visited: November 2024
Number of trips: 3
Porto is one of my absolute favourite cities in Europe, and compared to many cities it is so underrated. Having now visited three times, it is about time I shared my gluten free guide for you and show you why Porto should absolutely be on your European bucket list if it isn’t already!
In November 2022 Paul and I took a last minute winter trip to Portugal, and I would 100% recommend for an out of season trip away. We honestly had the best time, travelling the country by car visiting Lisbon and Porto and so many places in between.
I started writing this post in 2022 and it’s been in my drafts ever since, but I have actually been back to Porto twice since then so this post is seriously overdue. I went back for a quick business trip in February 2023, and returned again last November with friends for a warmer weekend away before the busy Christmas period at home. All very different trips, but I had some wonderful food every time!
Where to stay
Ibis Porto Centro Mercado Bolhao
I often use budget accommodation on a city break when you spend more time out and about, so you just need a comfy bed and decent shower. We don’t really use hostels so I guess this is our version of budget travel. However, the Ibis in Porto is a beautiful new funky Ibis so we found it really good value for money at £50.50 per night for a superior room with balcony although this was for off peak travel. We didn’t bother with a rate that included breakfast and used it as an opportunity to eat at 100% gluten free bakeries in the city!
Mercure Porto Centro Catarina
I stayed one night at this hotel for work, and whilst it was a lovely hotel it was up a very steep hill which wasn’t so great for me and my luggage! It wouldn’t be such an issue if you’re travelling here direct from the airport in a taxi though.
Pestana Vintage Porto
On our weekend trip with friends we went for a more centrally located luxurious option choosing Pestana Vintage Porto on the waterfront where we were served port when we checked in setting the tone for the whole weekend!
This trip did include breakfast, and there was even a port and cheese room as part of the breakfast buffet. For gluten free options I was given a roll, muffin and mini croissant too and the hotel was fairly good at helping me with options. Note the mini croissant whilst an amazing option to be served wasn’t that great so don’t book the hotel just for that!
Breakfast/Lunch
We ate brunch at Com Cuore on one of the days and it’s a gluten free must visit! Paul and I shared nutella waffles, a bifana sandwich and I took away some pasteis de nata. Be warned though it is cash only.
We shared it all as the waffles portion contained two waffles, and the bifana was a huge crusty sandwich filled with marinated pork that I can confirm was so moorish and tasty, and Paul actually commented on how good the gluten free bread was!
The pasteis de nata were good with creamy custard although the pastry was a bit chewy, but they were the only ones that I found in Central Porto and I have returned for some every trip as you can’t come to Portugal and not eat them every day!
100 Culpa – 100% Gluten Free and Dairy Free
A dedicated gluten free brunch spot that looks perfect for anyone visiting Porto that doesn’t have breakfast included. I wish we had managed to squeeze in a visit here – definitely one for next time.
Celícias – 100% Gluten Free Bakery
With a little more time Celícias is a dedicated gluten free bakery with croissants, baguettes, cakes and pasteis de nata on offer so looks fantastic for breakfast, a coffee and cake or for picking up picnic supplies or just sampling a new nata whilst in Porto! It is located in the south in Vila Nova de Gaia, the area I actually went to for work that was really easy to get to by tram.
Whilst not a dedicated gluten free cafe, Zenith looks to be a lively spot for brunch that marks the gluten free options clearly on the menu and are also great for vegan options. Reviews suggest to make sure that they know you are coeliac so that they know to toast your bread separately which they are able to do. Options include pancakes and eggs Benedict!
Lunch
For lunch on our recent trip we went searching for Tapas Bentos that seems to come highly recommended so I really wanted to try it out, but we just couldn’t seem to find it with all the construction at the station, and eventually we gave up and went for plan B – some tacos!
The tacos that we had for lunch when we couldn’t find Tapas Bentos were from a casual Mexican restaurant, Don Pepe.
The tacos were made from corn and they made sure they carefully prepared mine and served them separately to everyone else’s. A wonderful casual lunch of tacos and margaritas that saved our lunch time plans!
Lunch/Dinner
This restaurant is not a dedicated gluten free restaurant but its social media show it as a gluten free restaurant – I assume because they have so many options (but do take care when ordering). I had really wanted to visit this restaurant on my first trip but it was fully booked on the Saturday night and closed on Sunday so plan ahead.
Instead we visited in 2024 for lunch on arrival into Porto as it was only a short walk from our hotel and I decided to order the must have local dish, Francesinha.
The Francesinha is a sandwich originating in Porto and it is made up of bread, ham, sausage and steak and covered with melted cheese & a spicy beer and tomato sauce, and generally served with fries. Mine also came with egg, and there was a vegetarian option on the menu that my friend had that came with a veggie burger filling as the alternative.
It was an experience for sure! The sauce was delicious and it wasn’t long before we had dipped all of our fries (they have a dedicated fryer). A thick, warming and spicy sauce with all the carbs. This would definitely make fab hang over food and should definitely be tried when in Porto.
There was some excellent other dishes served too including flaming chorizo and hanging skewers of meat. The only dish that didn’t get great reviews were the calamari but I would go for the chance to try the francesinha for the novelty.
The restaurant is a great choice for lunch in a central location but it is pretty casual with seating inside only so there are some fancier options or restaurants with nicer views or outside dining which is something to bear in mind if you’re planning on making the most of the sunshine.
What can I say, no trip to a European city that serves gluten free McDonald’s is complete without a gluten free Big Mac or double cheeseburger. Portugal is one of the countries that does the best burgers, whilst also being accredited by the Portuguese Celiac society. It’s also a great option for a late night snack if you’ve drunk one too many glasses of port!
H3 is a burger restaurant recommended online for gluten free and all I can say is don’t do it. Honestly the worst meal I’ve eaten in Europe. The gluten free burgers are bunless and mine was served lukewarm. It also came with crisps and not chips to be gluten free – it was completely random and awful.
A healthy gluten free option that I chose for dinner due to ease when I stayed in Porto for work as they had a branch a few minutes walk from the Mercure hotel.
A lot of the options are gluten free but do be careful of your choices and make sure they are aware you are coeliac as there is normal sourdough being served.
Dinner
One of my colleagues who lives in Porto gave me a list of recommendations of his favourite places to eat in the city (not tailored for gluten free) and on it was our hotel restaurant at the Pestana Vintage Porto where he had visited for his birthday meal. This gave us an easy option for one of our evening meals and we also got a discount from staying at the hotel.
I opted for the butternut squash risotto with burrata that I really fancied at the time but some of the steaks were a much better option, or some steak with the risotto would have been a great accompaniment!
Mexican food is often a go to when travelling, as if you can find somewhere with corn rather than wheat tacos you’re generally pretty safe there with some tacos.
This is how we found ourselves on a short, cheap Uber ride to Frida where the food was fantastic. We tried different restaurants on our return trip in 2025 but I wish we had gone back here too!
On my trip in 2022 I struggled with options for restaurants in the evenings that were centrally located and understood cross contact. A few places that were serving gluten free options at the time when I visited said they had small kitchens and couldn’t safely serve those with coeliac. For my other visits there have seemed to be more options showing online, but do be sure to check the processes of any gluten free recommendations you come across.
I ended up just going to Hard Rock Cafe one night for ease, and here the staff were friendly and knowledgeable and I could get a burger but the fries weren’t safe. Salad on the side or a bun less burger are never quite the same but it was an easy option and the staff understood and were confident with my request.
We really enjoyed a meal of Tapas in Ribeira Square at Jimão Tapas on our 2024 trip, but sadly that restaurant is now already showing as permanently closed so I have listed it below. However, Ribeira Square Restaurante that has excellent reviews for gluten free options in this area looks to be right next door so looks to be a good option to try instead.
Whilst they had a gluten free menu as a starting point, and I got there in the end with explaining my cross contact needs it took a while to feel like they could serve me safely so take care if you eat here. I ended up with a starter of grilled cheese with dry cured ham and truffle oil, roasted octopus for main and crème brûlée for dessert.
It was a nice meal and good for our three night stay in Porto, but I wouldn’t choose it as my top choice on a shorter stay and if you decide to go do make sure that you strongly advocate for yourself.
This coeliac accredited Italian restaurant gets recommended frequently and it would have been great to have a chance to try it, but it’s a bit far out from Central Porto. It looks to be a great option to tie in with a visit to the beach though or if you’re driving north from Porto.
This is the other frequently recommended restaurant that we struggled to book, and also found it a bit far out. However, uber and bolt are both really cheap in Portugal so it is a viable option.
Treats and Snacks
Cheese Bar at The Pestana Vintage Porto
We had a leisurely time sitting and chatting in the sunshine on the river at the cheese bar in our hotel. Such a wonderful spot and really easy to grab a cheese board and a glass of wine or port. Highly recommend it as a way to pass the time!
Casa Portuguesa Pastel de Bacalhau
A little on the touristy side and not the best port option, but the salt cod fritters served are gluten free. They bring the trays of gluten free cod fritters out for someone to put the shop logo on made out of a kind of edible paper logo and that is a ‘may contain’. I’ve read many reviews on these of people arguing over if they were gluten free or not, but both times I have been I’ve been told very clearly that they are gluten free if you have one served from out the back without the logo added. On the website they are described as a delicacy made of cod, potatoes, olive oil, egg and parsley.
Happy Cookie – 100% gluten free and vegan
This is one place that I’m sad we didn’t make it to but it was a bit far out to get to on a weekend away with friends.
Ruffles crisps
Buy the jamon Ruffles when in mainland Europe, always. They are the ultimate holiday snack and available throughout Portugal.
Sweets
If you get out and about in Northern Portugal then you should definitely try and stop at a Mercadona supermarket which has some amazing gluten free finds. They also sell lots of gluten free sweets including the closest thing I’ve found to Maltesers and the Fini liquorice.
On my last trip to Porto, I did find the Fini liquorice also being sold in El Corte Ingles food hall which is more central.
Crunch Bars
Crunch chocolate is often found gluten free in European countries and I found it in Porto, so worth keeping an eye out for if you’re a fan!
Guarana
I absolutely love Guarana after trips to Brazil, which means I always buy it when I’m in Portugal whenever I get a chance to have it! This was a bougie lunch when I needed something from a small supermarket.
Permanently Closed Restaurants
I list these so that if you come across them as recommendations you don’t traipse across Porto looking for them, but they should always be checked as gluten free restaurants do seem to open and close all the time!
Beiju
Casual on the go tapioca crepes that were gluten free
Gluten Freak – 100% Gluten Free
We ate lunch at Gluten Freak in 2022 and this is another 100% gluten free location and the one where we first tried the Francesinha (top travel tip- always go to the 100% gf spots on the days you fly!)
Jimão Tapas and Vinhos
My friend came across Jimão when searching for some gluten free and vegetarian options near our hotel, and it turned out to be a fantastic option. The menu is quite small and there were six of us so we probably ordered most of the tapas menu between us and it was all delicious. From octopus pasta and grilled prawns, to bruschetta I had a great meal here but sadly it already looks to be permanently closed.
Port Houses
There are so many port houses, walking along the river front and up hill from Cais da Ribeira de Gaia.
On our first trip we visited Taylors for the tour and port tasting – it has to be done whilst in Porto and it’s so nice to get the glasses of port to sit out in the courtyard. Do be careful though, it is rather strong!
On the river front rather than uphill we decided to visit Calem for the tasting, but they do tours as well.
We picked the Cockburns tour on our last trip as a group of six, with port and cheese at the end and it is a fab way to spend some time in Porto.
Whilst we didn’t do a tour or tasting at Sandemans they are in a great location on the waterfront.
We had a glass of port here after learning that their cocktails weren’t being served due to windy conditions!
Whilst we spent most of our time in Port houses, we did enjoy our drinks outside in the sunshine at Base. Such a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon in November!
Sightseeing
Here are some photos from our time in beautiful Porto!
Ribeira
You have to head to the river area, and the main square of Ribeira. This is where the Pestana Vintage Porto hotel is located.
We also did the 6 bridge 50 minute cruise for the best views of the bridges and the city from the water that starts from Ribeira.
Walk up and over the bridge for more views over the city and up to the Monastery.
Cais da Ribeira
Get up in time for sunrise for some photos without all the people in, in the dawn light back over the river or head here for sunset.
Bordalo 1/2 Rabbit Sculpture
Once on the other side of the river to Ribeira, stop at the Bordalo 1/2 rabbit sculpture made out of rubbish.
Sao Bento Area
You should also try and head to the Sao Bento area for early morning photos of all the buildings/sights (and tiles!) you want to see and make sure you visit the station even if you aren’t getting a train!
Igreja do Carmo
Don’t forget to book tickets for this beautiful old library in advance as it is really popular and busy.
Tips for Visiting Porto
- Porto is a really affordable city for Western Europe and ideal if you want a more budget friendly trip!
- Porto can easily be covered as a weekend trip, or it has connections by bus or train that take about three hours to combine it with a city break in Lisbon. I was due to take a train between the two on my business tip, but there were train strikes so changed to the bus. An Uber to the bus terminal was inexpensive and easy.
- Uber and Bolt are really cheap options for getting around compared to other cities and there may be times you give in to the price of them rather than tackling the hills again!
- Be warned, Porto is hilly – wear comfy shoes and be prepared!
- Also be warned, port is strong!
- Whilst this guide is based on Porto itself, the surrounding Duoro Valley is beautiful and worth visiting if you have more time
- There’s a gluten free bakery in Braga if you decide to do a day trip there. The pastei de natas weren’t very full of custard so I opted for an eclair here instead that was amazing!
- Take checked luggage, or least have an option to on the way home for bringing some port home. The port sold in Porto is so much better than what you can buy in British supermarkets, even from the same brand.
- Branded port glasses from the port houses are really cheap, and great gifts or souvenirs to buy yourself for port nights when you get home!
- Always advocate for yourself and ask your own questions every time you order gluten free options as staff, menus, and processes do change so regularly and this is based on my experience and comfort levels. I would say this is particularly important in Porto where many didn’t seem to take cross contact measures or didn’t want to serve me from their small kitchen with coeliac.
Other useful links
- Portuguese Coeliac Association
- Gluten Free Guide to Porto – My Gluten Free Guide
- Gluten Free Must Eats in Portugal
I love Porto and Portugal, and we are already planning our next trip. I hope this inspires you to visit Porto on your next European adventure!
Happy Gluten Free Travels!
Note: Writing a gluten free travel blog is a passion project of mine but the website has an annual subscription cost so it actually costs me money to run. If you find my guides helpful please consider buying me a virtual coffee through my kofi link to help me run this free resource for gluten free travel. This post also contains affiliate links for places that I genuinely went to at no cost to you, to help me be able to run this website for free. Thank you!
The Sightseeing Coeliac 