A street in Porto has just been named the 3rd coolest street in the world for 2025 by Time Out. It’s a near‑kilometre city‑centre strip in Baixa where classic grocers sit alongside new bakeries, smart dining rooms and low‑key bars.
Rua do Bonjardim: location and highlights
The world's third coolest street, according to Time Out, Rua do Bonjardim, runs between Bolhão Market and Avenida dos Aliados in the city of Porto. It's close to the centre but a touch calmer than the big thoroughfares. The southern end meets Praça D. João I and the Rivoli Theatre, so dinner naturally rolls into a show or a nightcap. Along the way, you’ll pass old‑school grocers, speciality coffee, and a new wave of kitchens drawing a mixed local crowd.
Where to eat on Rua do Bonjardim
Bonjardim’s food scene tells Porto’s story in one walkable strip. You’ve got tascas turning out local plates, side by side with bakeries pushing sourdough and restaurants playing with Portuguese flavours through a modern lens.
Classic Porto flavours
This is where you taste the city as locals remember it. The counters are busy, the portions generous, and the seasoning straight to the point.
- Conga is the legend for bifanas — thin-sliced pork simmered in a spiced gravy and stuffed into a crusty roll.
- Antunes leans hearty, with slow-roasted pork knuckles that fall from the bone, crisp at the edges and comforting at heart.
New wave kitchens and bakeries
The street’s newer arrivals bring playful technique and careful sourcing without losing the Portuguese soul.
- Mila specialises in naturally leavened bread and handmade pastries.
- Luffa at Torel Saboaria hotel takes Portuguese flavours and refracts them through global techniques, serving bold, playful plates in a handsome dining room.
Grocers and coffee stops
Between meals, Bonjardim shines for pantry hunts and caffeine breaks. Old shopfronts hold shelves of tins, beans and sweets you’ll want to stash in your bag.
- Casa Januário is a time capsule for tins, spices and baking supplies, with the kind of friendly counter chat that Porto does best.
- Pretinho do Japão roasts its own coffee and sells local treats and gifts.
Where to drink on Rua do Bonjardim
Evenings gather pace here as the after-work crowd filters in. You’ll find low-lit spots for small plates and wine, plus easy options for a quick nightcap near the theatre.
Wine, small plates and art
For a relaxed glass and a few bites, stick close to mid-street and follow the music spilling out of doorways.
- Ottto mixes “unconventional” food with a neat wine list and a rotating spread of art.
- Casa Lourenço sells local cheeses and cured meats, and has an impressive selection of Portuguese wines.
- Letraria Craft Beer Garden Porto sits a short walk away, and serves Portuguese craft beers on tap and in bottles.
Things to do around Rua do Bonjardim
Bonjardim is more than meals and drinks. Culture anchors the southern tip, mornings skew market-fuelled, and the grand architecture of central Porto sits a few minutes’ walk away.
Culture at the southern end
At the street’s end, Rivoli Theatre hosts a strong year-round programme spanning dance, theatre and film.
Market mornings
A short stroll away, Bolhão Market buzzes with produce stalls, fishmongers and ready-to-eat bites.
Architecture walk
Head towards Avenida dos Aliados and Porto City Hall for granite façades, classic banks and civic buildings that tell the story of 20th-century Porto.
Visiting Porto
Compact, walkable and granite-built, Porto balances Unesco-listed riverfront views with the rhythms of a working city. Across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia sit the historic Port wine lodges.
Atlantic beaches are a short tram or metro ride away, and the city’s creative scene clusters through Baixa, Cedofeita and Bonfim.
Where to live in Porto
If you’re eyeing a move, the choice is between centre-of-things convenience and coastal breathing space. Prices vary block to block, but the feel of each area holds steady.
Centre/North: Baixa–Aliados–Bolhão puts you in period buildings, close to metro lines and cafés.
West: Boavista and Foz do Douro bring larger flats, international schools and sea air.
East: Bonfim mixes indie studios, good coffee and younger crowds, with slightly better value than the historic centre.
Coast: Matosinhos has real beaches, standout seafood and modern buildings with parking.
Stay in the know about living in Portugal as a foreigner—get our weekly newsletter for the latest travel, legal, and lifestyle news.
Óbidos Vila Natal 2025: the most magical Christmas in this Portuguese medieval town
Every year, the medieval town of Óbidos in Portugal transforms into a true Christmas wonderland. From 28 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, the town’s ancient walls will sparkle with lights, wooden chalets, festive music, artificial snow, and family-friendly activities.
Ronaldo and Georgina’s reported Madeira wedding
Portuguese press reports suggest that Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez are planning a summer 2026 wedding in Funchal. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at Funchal Cathedral, followed by a celebration at one of the city’s luxury hotels.
5 lesser-known Portuguese islands to discover
When crowds head for Madeira and São Miguel, Portugal's lesser-known islands keep their easy rhythm. Small communities, raw Atlantic views and nature reserves where the timetable still depends on weather and tides are what define these remote spots.
Five Portuguese islands to visit
Portugal is home to 11 inhabited Atlantic islands across the Azores and Madeira archipelagos, plus a scatter of wild islets and a few coastal islands near the mainland. The country’s Atlantic outposts feel remote in the best way, yet are still easy to reach. Picture black‑lava shorelines, laurel‑green hills and long sweeps of sand, with mild weather even when the mainland cools.
Portugal ranks in Skyscanner’s 10 best-value destinations for 2026
Skyscanner’s fare trends put Madeira in Portugal firmly in the frame as one of the best-value destinations for 2026. It lands at number five in the global top ten for the biggest airfare drops, meaning a tempting island break without the usual price tag.