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O Paparico

The restaurant O Paparico is probably the best  in Porto and one of the best meals you will ever have on a trip to the country. We were greeted and served in the friendliest of ways, particularly by a kind bearded gentleman, only to later learn that he was in fact the owner and head Chef of the restaurant! The menu has just a few starters, main dishes and desserts, and there is a tasting menu as well, including some wine pairing. We opted to choose our own meal and were delighted with the chef’s surprises, which included superb foie gras terrine in port reduction, crunchy sardines and perfect breads with olive spread. We followed with octopus in a thin dough, as well as cod salad. The generous main course, said to serve two but would be plenty for a third, was the unforgettable spicy blue lobster rice. The almond and chocolate mousse for dessert was the perfectly sweet ending to a most fabulous meal. Such a Babette feast does comes at a price, but it is totally worth it! The restaurant is in a small house with no signs, you just ring the bell. Be sure to make reservations, however, as O Paparico is one of the most demanded in town.

Rua de Costa Cabral 2343, Porto.