Taberna da Praça, Guimarães

Taberna da Praça sits on Largo da Oliveira, widely considered Guimarães' most beautiful square and the historic heart of the UNESCO-listed old town, giving it one of the best settings of any restaurant in the city. The menu focuses on traditional Minho dishes such as vitela à portuguesa and bacalhau lagareiro, cooked in a straightforward regional style that matches the historic surroundings rather than a contemporary reinterpretation. Outdoor seating on the square is the main draw, placing diners directly in front of Guimarães' medieval architecture and the Nossa Senhora da Oliveira church, making it as much about the setting as the food itself. Because Largo da Oliveira is the centrepiece of Guimarães' old town and draws a constant flow of visitors, the restaurant is busy throughout the day, and outdoor tables are in particularly high demand during lunch and dinner in warmer months. Reservations are recommended, especially for square-facing seating, and visitors are advised to combine a meal here with a walk through the surrounding historic streets before or after.