A Cozinha do Martinho

A Cozinha do Martinho is a traditional Portuguese restaurant on Beco do Forno in Coimbra, in the old town not far from the university and the Praça do Comércio. It is a favourite with students and residents, who value its large portions and fair prices, and it has the character of a long-running neighbourhood eating house. The cuisine is regional Portuguese comfort food from the Beira Litoral. Dishes associated with the restaurant include chanfana, a slow-braised goat stew cooked in red wine that is a speciality of the Coimbra region, leitão assado, roast suckling pig with crisp skin, a dish tied to nearby Mealhada, and bacalhau com natas, salt cod baked in cream. Meals are served with bread, olives and house wine, and portions are designed to feed hungry diners or to be shared. The room is simple and friendly, with plain tables and a casual mood, and it fills with noisy, talkative groups at lunch and in the evening. Service is direct and warm, and the staff are used to students and visitors. The drinks list focuses on local wine, including reds from the Bairrada region, as well as beer and soft drinks. Prices are in the mid range but low for the portion size, and the restaurant is known as a good-value choice in the city. It is open Monday to Saturday for lunch from noon to 3pm and dinner from 7pm to 10pm and is closed on Sundays. Reservations are not usually required, though larger groups and weekend diners should arrive early or call ahead, as the room is small. The restaurant suits travellers who want to try traditional Coimbra dishes that are rarely found outside the region. Because chanfana and roast pig are heavy, many visitors share a main course and add a salad or a starter.