Get to know our top 5 recommendations for traditional food lovers and other 5 suggestions for vegetarians!
In the city of Coimbra, the traditional taverns are still very much alive and in them you can find the most varied snacks, such as the gizzards, bones, woodpecker and ray of pitau, among many other specialties, accompanied by a good regional wine. In restaurants, typical dishes such as chanfana, roasted suckling pig Bairrada style or lamprey rice stand out. Here are some suggestions for good places to try.
Let’s start with the traditional food restaurants:
1. ZÉ MANEL DOS OSSOS
This restaurant has existed for over 50 years in a narrow alley in Baixa and is one of the best known and traditional taverns in Coimbra. It’s a small and picturesque space whose walls tell its story: they are decorated with drawings and messages from customers and friends who pass by, pieces of covers and robes from students and some other objects. Good atmosphere, excellent food. Very small, only 7 tables, people line up to eat, so you have to arrive early.
Address: Beco do Forno, 12, Coimbra
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 12:30 to 15:00 and from 19:30 to 22:00; Closed on Saturday night and Sunday. Does not accept reservations.
Contact: 239 823 790.
2. DUX – SNACKS AND WINES
Valuing tradition, but also introducing many modern elements, Dux restaurants are contemporary taverns. With many snacks and good wines, we can find here traditional Portuguese specialties (such as cod pataniscas or woodpecker), but also original creations and influences from the world (such as chicken tempura and farinheira with caramelized pear).
And, like any other tavern, it has a large wine list which reflects the variety and quality of Portuguese wines.
Address: R. General Humberto Delgado nº 448, Coimbra
Opening hours: Lunch: Every day from 12:00 to 15:00 Dinner: Sunday to Thursday from 19:30 to 22:30; Friday and Saturday from 19:30 to 23:00
Contact: 913 946 079
3. TAPAS NAS COSTAS
This restaurant is located in one of the most emblematic areas of the city, so it is frequented by many tourists and it’s very lively at any time of the day. It’s often possible to enjoy a meal to the sound of music played by street artists.
This restaurant is specialized in snacks and the Tapas nas Costas Menu can be consulted on the restaurant’s web page.
At Tapas nas Costas, you can either have lunch in a formal setting, in the restaurant’s interior rooms, or in a kind of relaxed bar / cafe at the entrance of the restaurant or even choose the terrace, which allows you to have a very beautiful view over one of the oldest areas of Coimbra.
Address: Rua de Quebra Costas, 19, Coimbra
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 11pm
Contact: 239 157 425
4. NACIONAL
Located in the historic area of the city of Coimbra, in an old and cozy building where we feel at home, this restaurant is very famous for the quality regional cuisine it serves.
The menu includes excellent options, such as seafood rice, lamprey rice or monkfish fillets with cockle rice, old-fashioned duck rice, capon rice or roasted kid.
Address: Rua Mário Pais, 12, 1.º, Coimbra
Contact: 239 829 420
(Closed on Sundays and public holidays)
5. MUNICH BREWERY AND SEAFOOD
Unmissable brewery in the city of Coimbra, with two restaurants, both on Rua do Brasil. The Cervejaria Marisqueira Munich Restaurant opened in the 1970s, by the hand of a former emigrant in Germany returning to the city. The emphasis is on fresh seafood, wild fish and selected meat. It is difficult to resist.
Beer is also a specialty, with fresh mugs that come directly from the refrigerator, and local brands such as Onyx and Topázio, and the artisanal Cinco Chagas.
Address: Rua do Brasil, nº258 and nº344 (Munich and Munich II)
Opening hours:
Munich – closed on Wednesdays; on Tuesday, it opens from 12pm to 5pm; on the remaining days, it is open from 12 noon to 1 am.
Munich II – closed on Monday; on Sundays, it opens from 12h to 16h; on the remaining days, it is open from 12 noon to 1 am.
Contact: 239 701 577
Now let’s go for 5 recommendations for vegetarians!
Eating vegetables with sacrifice is a thing of the past. No dull tofu, unsalted vegetables, or being left without the option of a delicious, healthy, meatless meal. We have prepared a list of places where you can eat with pleasure following a vegetarian regimen.
6. Greenside
Greenside is a great option when you want healthy and fast food. The restaurant is open from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 4 pm. With a pleasant space, excellent service and wonderful food, this is our tip for those who have never tried vegetarian food and want something fast.
Address: Rua das Parreiras 31, Coimbra
Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 4 PM
7. Cozinha Consciente
Cozinha Consciente is kind of hidden in the Topázio Galleries, but it’s worth going there. The products are all organic and the options vary between vegetarian and vegan. At the Cozinha Consciente restaurant, macrobiotic lines dictate the rules in the kitchen.
Address: Galerias Topázio, R. Olivença nº 9, 2nd floor, Coimbra
Monday to Friday from 12:30 PM to 03 PM
8. Gul & Guls
Gul & Guls is a typical Indian restaurant, therefore, it has vegetarian dishes, with very well served, well-seasoned portions and at an affordable price. It’s an option that you will not regret trying.
Address: Avenida Emídio Navarro, nº 37, Coimbra
Monday to Friday from 12:30 PM to 03 PM
9. Hamburgueria de Coimbra
Who doesn’t like hamburgers? When you are a vegetarian, the options are reduced, but in Hamburgueria de Coimbra you can always replace the beef burger with a delicious quinoa burger. The space is very pleasant and with great quality fast food.
Address: Rua Manso Preto 5, Coimbra
Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30 PM to 03:30 PM and 07 PM to 11 PM and on Sundays from 01 PM to 09 PM
10. Peculliar
If you want to eat Japanese food, Peculliar has a vegetarian option. According to Diogo Marta, one of the restaurant partners, what the customer asks for is done: vegetarian, vegan, for pregnant women, among others. The restaurant does not follow the traditional, “we make sushi in our own way”, says Diogo.
Address: Rua Dom Ernesto Sena de Oliveira 49, Coimbra
Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30 PM to 03 PM and 07 PM to 11 PM and on Sundays from 12:30 PM to 03 PM
Do you know other nice restaurants in Coimbra? Share with us! Don’t forget to tag @inlifeportugal in your stories and posts when following our tips 😉.
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