Adega São Nicolau

Many of the restaurants lining the Cais da Ribeira trade mainly on their view. Adega São Nicolau, on a short lane a few steps back from the quay, is a better choice for traditional Portuguese food at fair prices, and it has a small terrace of its own facing the river.

This is a classic adega, or tavern, with a simple dining room and a menu of dishes that would be familiar to any Portuguese family. Octopus fillets with rice, chicken and cod cakes as a starter have long featured, and the desserts are made in house. Service has a reputation for being friendly and is led by long-serving staff, which gives the place a family feel. If you are unsure what to order, ask what is good that day; daily suggestions are often the best value in places like this.

The restaurant is small and popular, so booking by phone is wise for dinner, especially in summer and if you want one of the terrace tables. Lunch can be easier, and a late lunch is a good way to avoid the busiest hour. It is generally closed on Sundays; call ahead to confirm hours, which can vary.

Adega São Nicolau suits couples, families and anyone wanting an honest meal in the Ribeira without the premium of the quayside terraces. It is a good place to try Portuguese standards for the first time. Vegetarian options are limited, as the menu is built around fish and meat. Card payment is widely accepted in Porto, but it is sensible to carry some cash at smaller family restaurants. Prices sit in the lower-middle range, and lunch is a particularly good-value time to visit.

The lane runs off the Ribeira close to the Praça da Ribeira, so the restaurant is a natural stop after walking the quay or crossing the lower deck of the Dom Luís I Bridge from Gaia. The Palácio da Bolsa and the Church of São Francisco are about five minutes' walk west, and line 1 of the historic tram leaves from Infante nearby. After dinner, the quay is a pleasant place for a stroll as the lights of the port lodges come on across the water.