Porto: the best restaurants and bars

It used to be overlooked in favour of Lisbon, but slowly and surely, Porto is putting itself on the city break map.

And with Monarch's new flight route from Luton to Porto launching this week, there's never been a better time to visit this sun-soaked and wine-drenched city.

London restaurateur Max Graham, who has just launched Bar Douro in London Bridge and is from one of Portugal's famous port families, was born in Porto - so who better to recommend where to be fed and watered in the city.

"Five years ago, the word grungy might have best described this industrial port, today Porto is full of colour and life," says Graham. "Quaint cobbled streets lined with blue and white azulejo tiles offer a stunning backdrop to a buzzing city, with a new wave of restaurants, bars and boutique hotels serving the growing demand of tourism."

Here he recommends his favourite spots to eat and drink in Portugal's second city.

1. Dom Peixe

On the unassuming Rua Heróis de França, by the docks in Matosinhos, you will find a strip of tascas grilling the freshest fish over charcoal. Dom Peixe is a perfect spot for dinner; serving char-grilled octopus, turbot and seabass straight from the cold Atlantic waters. Start with some Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato, clams in a white wine coriander sauce.

On the same road is Salta-Ó-Muro, my personal favourite, serving up the daily catch in a rustic no nonsense approach. Pan fried dover sole with punched new potatoes dressed in parsley is perfectly complimented by a glass of cold vinho verde.

Rua Heróis de França, 241, 4450-158 Matosinhos, Portugal

2. Casa Guedges

For the best Sandes de Pernil in town head to Casa Guedes on Praça dos Poveiros. The understated tiled tasca is the perfect spot for lunch. Order the pork sandwich with creamy serra cheese washed down with a fino (small beer) of super bock. Get there early as there can be a queue but a perfect place to watch Porto city life go by.

Praça dos Poveiros 130, 4000-098 Porto, Portugal

3. Reitoria

This is a great little restaurant just off the charming Praça dos Leões in the centre of town. Downstairs is a tapas bar where they serve delicious focaccia sandwiches. The upstairs steakhouse focuses on different cuts of beef including the intense 32 day matured ‘Boi Velha’. It has a great atmosphere and the perfect place to kick off the night before crawling the bars along the Galerias de Paris.

R. de Sá de Noronha 33, 4050-159 Porto, Portugal

4. Paderia Ribeiro

You can find a Pasteleria pastry shop on most streets in Porto serving up an array of indulgent, eggy custard cakes and pastries. The traditional Paderia Ribeiro serves some of the best pastries in Porto including the mouthwatering doughnut - Bola de Berlim. For a pastel de nata head to Nata Lisboa on the Santa Catarina.

Praça de Guilherme Gomes Fernandes 21, 4050 Porto, Portugal

5. The Restaurant at The Yeatman

It’s hard to beat the views from the Yeatman Hotel, particularly with a white port and tonic in hand. If budget allows, dine at the two star Michelin restaurant headed by Executive Chef Ricardo Costa. Alternatively, Praia de luz in Foz is a perfect spot to watch the sun set over the Atlantic.

Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal

Max Graham is the owner of Bar Douro in London Bridge - find out more here.