Tapabento

Tapabento sits on Rua da Madeira, the steep lane that runs along the side of São Bento station, and its location could hardly be more central. Since opening in 2014 it has built a loyal following for cooking that takes fresh local ingredients, especially fish and seafood, and treats them with flavours borrowed from around the world.

The menu is organised into breads and aperitifs, small tapas, soups, toasts, cold and hot options, shellfish, wok dishes, mains and desserts, which gives plenty of room for sharing. Clams, razor clams, oysters, fish soup, Spanish-style potato tortilla, tuna tataki and fish curry are among the dishes it is known for. The drinks list covers Portuguese whites, Vinho Verde, sparkling, rosé and red wines, sangria, port, beer, vermouth and cocktails, so there is something for every course.

Opening days and times are specific, so check before you go. The restaurant opens for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, with an afternoon menu on several of those days, and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The room is small and popular, so reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for dinner; the website explains the booking conditions, and reservations can be requested by email.

Tapabento suits couples and small groups who like to share plates and try several things. Ordering a few small plates first and adding more as you go is the easiest approach. It is a good choice on a first evening in Porto, as it is easy to reach and gives a broad taste of the region's seafood without the formality of a tasting menu. Staff are multilingual, and the menu is available in many languages, including through a video on the website. Prices are moderate, though shellfish raises the bill quickly.

The entrance is on Rua da Madeira, and the website notes that the restaurant can also be reached from São Bento station. São Bento metro station, the cathedral and Avenida dos Aliados are all within a few minutes' walk, and Rua das Flores and the Ribeira are just downhill, so it is easy to fit dinner around an evening walk through the old town.