In business since 1986 and with a recently refurbished crisp interior with stone walls, O Marinheiro is an inviting presence along Praça D. Filipa de Lencastre in Porto. But with two levels of outdoor seating, it also offers the opportunity to dine al fresco and do some serious people-watching in Portugal’s second city while you’re enjoying a very rewarding meal.

Try This: Spring evenings in Porto tend to run comfortably cool, so if you do choose to dine outside, start off with the soothing vegetable soup. Although the name O Marinheiro translates to “the sailor” (look for the anchor and nautical rope logo here and there) and the restaurant offers a dozen different items from the sea, I counterintuitively chose the wonderful pork medallions topped with grilled pineapples. It’s served with flavorful potato crisps and a mixed salad of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and olives. For dessert, sample a Portuguese favorite, bolo de bolacha e caramelo, a delicious wafer cake topped with caramel.

 

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