Restaurant
Café Santiago
A long-running Baixa café, officially founded in 1959, where queues form for its francesinha, Porto's layered meat sandwich under melted cheese and a secret sauce.
Euskalduna Studio
Vasco Coelho Santos's intimate Michelin-starred counter restaurant, cooking a surprise-filled tasting menu over charcoal and smoke with aged Azorean fish.
At a glance
- Type
- Counter tasting menu
- Area
- Baixa, Porto, Portugal
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- euskaldunastudio.pt
Good to know
- One Michelin star
- Kitchen counter seating
- Tasting menu
Why we recommend it
Euskalduna Studio is a small restaurant with a big reputation, and one of the hardest tables to book in Porto. It holds one Michelin star in the 2026 Michelin Guide Portugal. Chef Vasco Coelho Santos runs it from a narrow building on Rua de Santo Ildefonso, where guests sit at a counter facing the open kitchen in a set-up the Michelin inspectors compare to a Japanese izakaya.
Dinner is a single tasting menu that draws on many cuisines rather than sticking to one tradition. The kitchen uses charcoal and smoke heavily, and fish is a particular strength, with aged fish from the chef's own supplier, much of it caught in Azorean waters. Unlisted extra dishes often appear along the way, so it pays to arrive hungry and with an open mind. Because the cooks prepare and serve the courses in front of you, the meal has the feel of a performance, and you can see each stage of the cooking up close.
Bookings are taken for set times: from Tuesday to Friday between 18:00 and 21:00, and on Saturdays at 13:00 for lunch and between 18:00 and 21:00 for dinner. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Reserve through the online system on the official website, or by phone or email, as far ahead as you can; weekend places go quickly. Mention allergies and intolerances when you book, as the menu is fixed.
The counter format makes Euskalduna Studio ideal for couples and solo diners who enjoy watching chefs at work, and less suitable for larger groups who want to talk among themselves. Prices are in line with Porto's other starred restaurants. Dress is smart casual, and the atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal. Arrive on time for your slot, and allow a full evening for the menu so the meal never feels rushed.
The restaurant is in the eastern part of the Baixa, a few minutes' walk from Praça da Batalha and Rua de Santa Catarina; the nearest metro stations are Bolhão and Campo 24 de Agosto. Gazela's original cachorrinho bar is nearby, and the Coliseu and the bars of Rua Passos Manuel are within easy walking distance for a drink afterwards.
Euskalduna Studio FAQs
Does Euskalduna Studio have a Michelin star?
Yes, one Michelin star in the 2026 Michelin Guide Portugal.
Who is the chef?
Vasco Coelho Santos.
What is the format?
A single tasting menu served at a counter facing the open kitchen.
When can I book?
Tuesday to Friday from 18:00 to 21:00, and Saturday at 13:00 or from 18:00 to 21:00.
How do I make a reservation?
Online through the official website, by phone on +351 935 335 301 or by email.
Is it good for groups?
The counter set-up suits couples and solo diners best.
What is the cooking style?
Global influences, with much use of charcoal and smoke and aged fish, often from the Azores.
Where is it?
On Rua de Santo Ildefonso, near Praça da Batalha and Bolhão metro station.