Portuguese dishes are one of the most underrated cuisines.
Some claim that their culinary traditions have been overshadowed by their neighbouring countries like Italy, France, and Spain, so they are less popular than other European cuisines.
Toronto has plenty of amazing Italian restaurants to choose from for date nights or celebrating a birthday. However, with many Portuguese descendants in the city, Portuguese food is getting more popular among locals.
When one craves Portuguese dishes, it means cravings for seafood, fish, lamb, other types of meat, and herbs & spices. It is also an indicator that one wants to emphasize pastry desires, such as egg tarts, sandwiches, or bread.
So, if you’re in the mood for a taste of Portugal, we give you our best Portuguese restaurants around Toronto.
After you’ve tried the best seafood, you’ll want to make a trip to your local fish markets to pick up some fresh fish for your next seafood feast.
1. Chiado
Image by @itshonee
Address: 864 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1A3
When you’re in downtown Toronto and salivating at the thought of savoury tapas and good wine, visit Chiado. Owned by a North American Chef, Albino Silva, this fine dining restaurant oozing with elegance, is perfect for special occasions.
Chiado is famous for its tapa dishes. They have a separate menu featuring tapa dishes alone. However, you can also try seasoned meat and seafood dishes like goat, cod, lobster, and lamb, all made delicious because of their fresh herbs, rosemary sauce, sweet pepper salsa, and more!
The food in this restaurant is made simple with fresh and wholesome ingredients. They are best served with wine, so don’t leave the place without asking one!
2. Luna Junction
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Address: 2800 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Y5
For a humble Portuguese and Mediterranean spot, Luna Junction has delicious gastronomic dishes to brag about. Unlike Chiado, this one is suitable for those who want affordable yet authentic Portuguese dishes. It’s not for those looking for something more lavish or fancy.
Located at the Junction, in Dundas Street, Luna Junction (formerly known as Luna Café in the Queen West neighbourhood) is a small, cozy, homey restaurant perfect for regular dates or friendly get-togethers. Given its small space, this restaurant is not recommendable for big groups.
They offer a wide array of Portugues favourites like Spicy Portuguese Jumbo Shrimp appetizers, Arroz de Tamboril e Marisco (spicy monkfish with mussels and shrimp), and Polvo a Lagareiro (grilled octopus with black-eyed peas and sauteed herb pesto). Be on the lookout for their weekly dinner specials for their once-in-a-blue-moon hearty treat.
3. Churrasqueira Martins
Image by @churrasqueiramartins
Address: 605 Rogers Rd #1, York, ON M6M 1B9
Address: 2700 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6N 1M2
Churrasqueira Martins showcases delicious grilled meat and seafood BBQs you won’t forget.
The best sellers here are the grilled shrimp, salmon, and cod with Gambas Grelhadas, Salmao Grehado, and Bacalhau a Lagareiro, respectively. Meanwhile, Custard Tart, Vanilla Crème Brule, and crepe are mainstream for desserts.
However, note that dining in this place on weekends will test your patience. They are crowded on Saturdays and Sundays, so you better manage your expectations. But the good thing is that they take reservations and you can have your food delivered to your home.
4. Adega
Image by @adegatoronto
Address: 33 Elm St, Toronto, ON M5G 1H1
Dining here makes you feel like you’ve left Downtown Core and landed in a huge Portuguese wine cellar. Adega (meaning wine cellar), of course, specializes in authentic Portuguese wine and both modern and contemporary Portuguese-style dishes.
Adega is established by Albino Silva, the same Chef who owns Chiado.
Given the proximity and dependence of Portugal to the ocean, this restaurant likewise specializes in authentic seafood like Octopus, Tiger Shrimp, Lobster, Cod, and more.
Unlike the other restaurants owned by Silva, this one is much more affordable and capable of serving a large group of diners. Enhance your dining experience by sitting on their outdoor patio and enjoying their unlimited olives and bread as appetizers while waiting for your order.
5. Rush Hour
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Address: 1438A Dufferin St, Toronto, ON M6H 3L1
When it comes to world cuisines, driving around Dufferin Street is like having an international trip because you’ll find many foreign restaurants, like Rush Hour, in the neighbourhood. This rustic and brick-walled bistro is very cozy and intimate, making it a perfect place for romantic nights.
So bring your date and enjoy their extensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu for you to try. They offer fresh Portuguese and Mediterranean fares, which are impeccably prepared with fresh and local ingredients. The main highlight of your dining experience would be the Chef’s “soup of the day,” grilled Sea Bass, salmon, and tuna.
There’s no need to rush in Rush Hour! It’s a perfect place to spend time with your loved ones over good food and a glass of wine.
6. Bairrada Churrasqueira Grill
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Address: 1000 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1A7
Address: 2293 St Clair Ave W, Toronto, ON M6N 1K9 (+more locations)
This restaurant is such an “oldie but goldie.” Established in 1989, Bairrada Churrasqueira Grill is a famous casual family dining restaurant known for its wide and refreshing patio. If you want more bonding time with friends or family, this restaurant is the perfect place to be.
Bairrada Churrasqueira showcases authentic Portuguese dishes in a relaxing and cozy ambiance. Their best dishes are the Filetes de Peixe (fish filets), Frango no Churrasco (Portuguese BBQ chicken), and Gambas a la Plancha (grilled tiger shrimp). They also serve sandwiches and kid-friendly dishes in case they don’t want seafood.
Our insider tip? Their servings are pretty big. Make sure to order what you can consume and only add when needed. They also serve quickly, so it’s not a problem to order more food while enjoying other dishes.
7. Piri Piri Grill
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Address: 1444 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M6P 4H3
Since Piri Piri Grill opened in 1998, they have been continuously innovating, making them the best Portuguese casual upscale dining restaurant in Toronto. Interior, food, and wine-wise, this spot features a date-to-impress vibe with Piri-Piri chicken, Grilled Octopus (Polvo), and Seafood Risotto.
If it’s your first time trying Portuguese food, your safest bet is seafood pasta, Piri-Piri Chicken, Piri-Piri Shrimp, and Calamari. They also have a wide selection of Portuguese-style pizza with delicious meat, seafood, and veggie toppings. But we think you should save your pizza days to try Toronto’s top pizza spots instead of ordering it at a Portuguese restaurant.
Unfortunately, though, they don’t have plant-based options. While they have vegetable menus, they are not entirely vegan.
8. Churrasqueira Costa Verde BBQ Chicken
Image by @churrasqueiracostaverde
Address: 3737 Major MacKenzie Dr W, Woodbridge, ON L4H 0A2 (+more locations)
If you’re looking for a quick bite of savoury chicken and drink, head to Oakwood avenue in Midtown. You can dine in or take out your favourite rotisserie or grilled chicken with quality chicken and fresh ingredients. The takeout option is quite popular in this restaurant as most loyal fans love to keep their chicken in the fridge, reheat and enjoy them for days or even a week!
Churrasqueira Costa Verde has been operating for almost three decades. So, their reputation as a Portuguese restaurant is already quite established. It’s difficult to find authentic Portuguese-style chicken in Toronto, so the locals are blessed for their existence downtown.
Their chicken is best paired with rice, potatoes, and beer. Also, ask for more hot sauce because it’s sooooo good! We also advise you to visit the place as early as possible because they are always busy and crowded; unless you’re there for takeout orders.
9. Mercado Negro
Image by @Mercadorestaurant.to
Address: 682 Caledonia Rd, Toronto, ON M6E 2T5
Mercado Negro will treat you to delectable Portuguese and Spanish dishes. This restaurant is going to hit the spot if you’re looking for mouthwatering yet affordable cuisines to make your day. Their vast array menu offers grilled squid, octopus salad, tiger shrimp, and much more. Try their seafood platter if you want to sample a variety of seafood instead of committing to one type of seafood.
If you want to relax after a busy working day, we recommend you enjoy your meal with wine or a cocktail and sit on their outdoor seating. They have a cozy patio which is very spacious and well-decorated with a colourful floating umbrella.
Their website doesn’t allow you to place online orders, however, they are available on Uber Eats, so having food delivered to your door shouldn’t be a problem.
10. St. Matthew’s BBQ
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Address: 527 Rogers Rd, York, ON M6M 1B4
Serving traditional Portuguese cuisines since 1993, you know that this restaurant will never let you down, especially if you’re the type who is skeptical about trying foreign dishes. St. Matthew’s is a family-run eatery with recipes passed down from generation to generation. The restaurant name has the word BBQ in it so you know what’s guaranteed to be good here.
As you open the restaurant door, you will be welcomed with huge T.V.s hanging on the wall showing the wide selection of their menu. Full rotisserie is a mainstream dish, but if you’re looking for something unique, they also serve grilled meats, seafood dishes, salad, and more desserts.
The downside is that the dining area is relatively small, and they have limited parking space. Space reservations and food delivery options are also not available. But these small things shouldn’t stop you from dropping by when you’re too busy to cook or don’t know what to bring to a gathering.
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