For an authentic Portuguese culinary experience, Bar Douro is a must-visit. With two locations—one near London Bridge and the other tucked behind the lively Finsbury Avenue Square in the City—this restaurant captures the essence of Portugal. Founded in 2016 by Max Graham, who grew up in Porto, Bar Douro draws inspiration from his memories of traditional breweries and bars in Lisbon and Porto, bringing their charm to London. At its heart, Bar Douro is all about celebrating the spirit of Portugal through exceptional food, wine, and a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for sharing.
Bar Douro’s ambiance beautifully captures the laid-back charm of Portuguese dining. I couldn’t help but admire their signature wall as I settled in –truly captivating. As soon as we settled in, we asked our waitress for her recommendations—how many dishes to share, what we simply couldn’t miss—and she couldn’t have been more helpful. She also effortlessly catered to our dietary needs, making us feel perfectly looked after.
The menu is thoughtfully divided into four sections: ‘Pesticos / Snacks’, ‘Horta / Garden’, ‘Mar / Sea’, and ‘Terra / Land’. Our waitress suggested choosing about five dishes to share between us, a perfect way to explore the variety on offer.
We began with the Milho Frito, a crispy polenta served with a bold fermented pepper sauce—a wonderfully crunchy and flavourful start to our meal. With so many standout dishes, it’s hard to pick just one favourite, so I’ll name them all! To complement the meat and fish selections, we opted for the wild mushroom rice, a perfect pairing.
For meat lovers, the Espetada de porco (grilled pork skewer) is a must-try, though the real star of the show was the Pincanha com tutano (grilled picante steak), bursting with flavour. Balancing the selection, we savoured the most delicious Cavala alimada com escabeche the marinated mackerel was the best we’ve ever had, served in a delightful sauce (garlic, olive oil, bay leaves and salt and vinegar), and the Gambas á Guilho (garlic prawns), whose rich, garlicky sauce was so divine that we eagerly used the bread to soak up more.
To elevate the feast, guests can choose a bottle from the award-winning wine list, showcasing Portugal’s most innovative winemakers from every region. Each selection is thoughtfully curated to pair beautifully with the small plates, adding a touch of magic to every shared dining experience.
We ended our meal with dessert, selecting from their array of ice cream flavours. My guest chose milk and mango, while I indulged in the tangerine and lemon. It was a delightful way to finish the meal.
Throughout this festive season, Bar Douro will also feature a rotating selection of traditional Portuguese festive specials, celebrating cherished Christmas traditions. Dishes include Chanfana (lamb shank slow-cooked in red wine) and Peras Bebedas (Port-poached pears), as well as Sopa Dourada (Golden Soup), a rich, layered dessert of bread soaked in syrup with toasted almonds and cinnamon, evoking the warmth and flavours of the season.
Highlights also include Polvo à Lagareiro (baked octopus), a surprising Christmas Eve staple in Melgaço, and Bacalhau com Broa (baked cod with breadcrumbs), a beloved national favourite. For New Year’s Eve, Bar Douro will serve Tártaro de Novilho (beef tartare), Cataplana de Marisco (seafood cataplana), and Rabanada com Gelado de Leite (Portuguese-style French toast with milk ice cream).
Bar Douro London Bridge: 35B, Arch, 85B Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ
Bar Douro City: Unit 3, 1 Finsbury Ave, London EC2M 2PF
