
Taberna Dos Mercadores
A beloved, tiny Portuguese tavern in Ribeira known for its exceptional seafood and intimate, welcoming atmosphere.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Taberna Dos Mercadores

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A beloved, tiny Portuguese tavern in Ribeira known for its exceptional seafood and intimate, welcoming atmosphere.
"This is our best meal in Porto so far. Worth the wait!"
Reservations Essential
Book ahead or arrive very early to secure a table in this small restaurant.
Don't Miss Signature Dishes
Must-try items include octopus rice, garlic prawns, and codfish croquettes.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Portuguese
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Seafood Delights
Savor outstanding seafood dishes like octopus rice and garlic prawns, a true taste of the Atlantic.

Cozy & Charming Atmosphere
Experience the intimate and welcoming ambiance of this small, traditional Portuguese tavern.

Attentive & Knowledgeable Service
Enjoy friendly and efficient service from staff who are passionate about the food and wine.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations Essential
Book ahead or arrive very early to secure a table in this small restaurant.
Don't Miss Signature Dishes
Must-try items include octopus rice, garlic prawns, and codfish croquettes.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Consider visiting outside of peak times to potentially avoid long waits.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations Essential
Book ahead or arrive very early to secure a table in this small restaurant.
Don't Miss Signature Dishes
Must-try items include octopus rice, garlic prawns, and codfish croquettes.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
Consider visiting outside of peak times to potentially avoid long waits.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Taberna dos Mercadores is celebrated for its exceptional, authentic Portuguese seafood, with dishes like octopus rice and garlic prawns consistently praised. Diners love the cozy, intimate atmosphere and the attentive service, which add to the overall charm. However, be prepared for significant wait times, as the restaurant is very small and doesn't take reservations easily, leading to potential queues.
"We had to wait for about 30-40 minutes before we got a table. The staff came out during this time and told us they can’t guarantee a place for us and that larger groups might have to sit separately. If you can reserve a table as otherwise you might not be able to taste their delicious food. We had the octopus with its rice as well as the steak with the sausage rice. We shared a mixed salad for a starter. The food arrived in time and was delicious. It was worth the wait. The staff is very friendly and polite. It’s worth a visit and with just 16 seats one of the smaller restaurants we have been. Highly recommend but be prepared either to wait or reserve a spot."
Marc Schwarz
"We arrived 45 minutes before opening on Saturday. 2 couples where already there before us. We where allowed to enter 10 minutes before opening at 17:30. Restaurant is small, about 8 tables. Food was served relatively fast. Everything was fresh, flavorful and delicious. Shrimp appetizer, squid fried rice and sea bass was plenty food for 2. This was our best meal in Porto so far. Long line of people were waiting as we left."
Alex
"We came for the second time and the most impressive dishes is the beef steak with rice! Of course, other must order dishes sea bass (with fire), clams, octopus and the potato soup. An average of 1-1.5 hours waiting time, and worth for the queue if you look for authentic and high quality of food."
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What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's small size and popularity. It's advisable to book well in advance or arrive very early.
Popular choices include the octopus rice, garlic prawns, sea bass, and codfish croquettes.
Wait times can be significant, often ranging from 1 to 2 hours, especially during peak times.
The restaurant is very small, seating around 16-20 people, making it best suited for smaller groups.
The atmosphere is described as cozy, charming, intimate, and welcoming, typical of a traditional Portuguese tavern.
Yes, the restaurant boasts an extensive and well-structured wine list, with many wines from the Douro Valley.
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The Taberna dosMercadores in the Ribeira is owned by the same family as the nearby Adega São Nicolau. Traditional and regional dishes dominate the menu: prawn açorda bread soup, rojões diced pork and even an unmissablearouquesa meat pot. For special days – and by special order only – they make cod tongue rice and roast kid goat, prepared with ingredients that proprietor António Coelho sources from his home town of Resende (sort of ‘return to Resende’).
The 10 Best Restaurants In Porto's Ribeira Portugal
This small Portuguese restaurant is popular among Porto’s locals. The menu is only available in Portuguese however, Taberna Dos Mercadores’ waiters can help foreign diners navigate the menu in order to pick delectable appetizers, entrées and desserts. Specializing in seafood dishes, don’t miss the flaming sea bass, rice with shellfish, or the salmon.
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Family-run Portuguese taberna (tavern) Taberna dos Mercadores nails a delicate balance between stylish space and homely-executed national dishes. Rustic benchmark choices include açorda de marisco (stew made from day-old bread, vinegar, garlic, coriander, eggs and seafood) and meat casseroles featuring special beef from Arouca mountain cows.
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Taberna dos Mercadores is a tiiiiiiinyyyyyy restaurant located in the picturesque Ribeira neighborhood. The space is indeed very small, so you have to make your reservation weeks in advance (yes, weeks) or be prepared to wait standing on the street. However, despite the long waiting time and being a very busy restaurant, the staff is very attentive.All the food is delicious, but my favorite dishes are the octopus dishes and the grilled sea bass.Another thing I love about this restaurant is the fact that it has an extensive and well-structured wine list, making it a great place to drink wines from producers on our private wine tour in the Douro valley.
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Created by the owners of Adega São Nicolau, Taberna dos Mercadores is, nowadays, a reference restaurant in the city of Porto, if you want to delight in the traditional delicacies of typical Portuguese cuisine. The space is small and welcoming, with the particularity of its wine cellar, giving a more personalized touch to the restaurant room, as it is located on the walls of the ceiling of the main room. Just like the room, the menu is also reduced, however, the famous traditional delicacies are all there, not forgetting the filleted octopus with rice, among others.
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While the famous Adega São Nicolau has become a guide-book staple and a favorite among visitors to the city, one of its owners’ other restaurants remains a little bit more beneath the radar. Taberna dos Mercadores (market workers’ tavern) is a tiny spot in Ribeira, with just a handful of tables and an open kitchen that turns out large portions of classics such as açorda de mariscos (garlicky bread stew with seafood), rojões (diced pork) codfish croquettes, and alheira. Rua dos Mercadores 36, Porto | +351 222 010 510 | Website
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Taberna dos Mercadores is a microcosmic reflection of contemporary Porto: a mixture of high-concept design and traditional food. The focal point of the small yet comfortable dining room is the ceiling, where metal supports create a false dome that doubles as a wine rack. Wine buffs will be satiated at the diverse but humble selection on offer here, which mainly originate from the Douro valley, the sumptuous growing region that extends from Porto along the Douro River all the way to the eastern border with Spain.
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Taberna Dos Mercadores is an authentic Portugese restaurant that’s visually distinct thanks to its curved ceiling that doubles as a wine rack. Seating up to 20 people only, this culinary microcosm is a favorite with the city’s foodies who come here for its rich and rustic cuisine and warm and cozy atmosphere. Enjoy açorda de marisco (a tasty stew made of day-old bread and seafood), arouquesa meat casserole and cozido stewed lamb chops with potatos and collard greens.
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Right at the historical center, try Taberna dos Mercadores, a more relaxed environment, where we recommend the octopus and the Cozinha Cabral, known for the monkfish fillets, right in the Ribeira area. If you’ re visiting Vila Nova de Gaia, O Bacalhoeiro offers traditional fish recipes with a modern twist. In Matosinhos, A Chalandra has a huge variety of shellfish straight from the ocean to your plate.
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Taberna Dos Mercadores is one of many spots that could argue they boast some of the best seafood in Porto. Though it’s impossible to narrow it down, I can confirm that this Riberia eatery deserves all the hype it gets. Getting a seat in this cozy restaurant is no easy task, as there’s often a queue to eat here alongside the open kitchen or outside on the cobblestone street.
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Taberna Dos Mercadores: Hidden in a small street behind the main Riveira street, was such a gem. Wanted to try everything on their menu, ended up getting a seafood rice (meant for 2) and grilled lamb chops between the 2 of us. If I had more nights, would have gone back to try other popular items on the menu (like octopus rice and fish).
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Small and cozy, Taberna dos Mercadores offers a truly authentic dining experience with dishes that pay homage to Portuguese culinary traditions. The menu features hearty, flavorful dishes such as bacalhau (codfish) and octopus, all expertly prepared. The warm ambiance and attentive service make it an ideal choice for a romantic dinner.
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If you’re looking for a cosy restaurant in Ribeira serving hearty rustic food, then Taberna dos Mercadores is the place for you. There are only eight tables, which means you better book ahead. The crispy cod croquettes, salt-baked fish and alheira (Portuguese sausage) are some of the tasty dishes that come out of the open kitchen.
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If that's not your bag, stop by for the fresh sardines at Salmão along with a glass of Vinho Verde, the region's crisp white wine, or delicious, market-fresh fish casserole at tiny Taberna dos Mercadores in the riverside Ribeira quarter. Be sure to finish with cake and port at Capela Incomum, a funky little converted chapel.
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Located in Ribeira, Taberna dos Mercadores offers regional dishes of Porto such as prawn açorda, a bread soup, and a meat pot. The interior is filled with hundreds of wine bottles of the best quality. The best part about this restaurant is the friendly staff who will make you feel like you are a part of their family.
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Description: Taberna dos Mercadores, a small and intimate restaurant in Ribeira, offers a charming atmosphere. Ideal for adults seeking a quiet spot, it serves exquisite dishes like seafood rice and sea bass in salt. However, it might not be the best choice for families with small children due to limited space.
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All of 16 people fit in this teeny tiny restaurant, so you can only imagine how cozy and homely it is. Every dish is made to perfection with incredible attention to detail, and put together with the freshest ingredients. Their Portuguese fish dishes are probably the most outstanding elements on their menu.
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The Taberna dos Mercadores makes you feel like you're in the hull of a ship. In keeping with this, there is delicious cuisine with the best from the sea, mostly prepared and served in the traditional way. But there is also a great selection for meat lovers.
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A small, family-run spot hidden in a side street near the river, this is where locals and food-savvy travelers go for an authentic Portuguese meal. The arroz de marisco (seafood rice) and grilled octopus are legendary. 📍 Rua dos Mercadores 36, Porto
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If we had to pick just one meal, it would have to be the amazing dinner at the tiny 16-seater Taberna Dos Mercadores on the Rua Dos Mercadores in the Ribeira district Porto. A mouth-watering, flaming experience. Book and let us know how you get on!
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Una publicación compartida de Taberna Dos Mercadores (@tabernadosmercadores). This tavern has a lot of personality, but it also has a taste of home that you will perceive as soon as you enter. It’s a small place, but it has a big heart.
Restaurantes Comem Paella Oporto [descontos baratos 2025]
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Taberna Dos Mercadores – very popular restaurant (also very long queue) for this traditional restaurant. I tried the salt baked fish which was fantastic. Go half hour early so you can be seated when the restaurant opens.
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I had a lovely meal at Taberna Dos Mercadores, which is a tiny place but I was lucky to snag a table as I hadn’t reserved!. Nearby Taberna Dona Antonia also gets great reviews.
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Cozinha das Flores, Gruta (Michelin Guide), Taberna dos Mercadores, In Diferente (Michelin Guide), Casa de Chá da Boa Nova (2 Star Michelin), and Restaurante Casario.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit