São Bento station is one of the places you must visit during your stay in Porto. It is famous photography spot because it is filled with beautiful Azulejo tiles and it looks like a gallery. A 2 minute walk from Sao Bento station, and you will find a small restaurant: Tapabento, hidden in a side street. It is a small restaurant that you can easily miss while walking by, and it's very popular so if you plan on going, make a reservatin in advance!
The internal scale could be simpler than you think. There are 6 tables and a bar table on the first floor, and a few tables upstairs. It has an atmosphere of a Japanese night dining room with warm lighting, cozy atmosphere, intimate interior, and their friendly staff makes you feel comfortable.
The menu is very varied, and includes appetizers, tapas, soups, salads, seafood, and meat. It will take some time to choose from the long list of menu items. Tapabento also offers a variety of alcohol.
If you don't know which wine to choose, you can ask the staff for advice. The staff are friendly and always ready to help with their fluent English. As we ordered a steak, they recommended a low-priced red wine for a delicious pairing.
As Portugal is famous for their seafood dishes, it is recommended to order a fish soup and seafood. It has a soft and crips flavor which makes it a good appetizer. If you don't like coriander, do not forget to ask them to remove it in advance.
The duck steak has a soft flavor and is lightly seasoned with salty and sweet sauce. You can order the steak medium rare or rare. It is great to enjoy the meat with a sauce made of wine and foie gras which will double its sweetness. The sweet potatoes and vanilla puree are served together which go well with the steak. Also, on the one side, there are blueberries and strawberries. You can nearly enjoy an appetizer, main dish, and a dessert all in one dish.
Tapabento, with its friendly staff and cozy interiors offers you a pleasant dining memory in Porto. The quality of the meal is more enjoyable than you can imagine! As it is close to Sao Bento station, it is easily accessible. It is recommended to make reservations at restaurants in Porto at least one day in advance.
Words by Youra CHOI
Photographs by Yuna LEE
Address : R. da Madeira 222, 4000-069 Porto
Opening hours : Tuesday-Sunday 12:00-16:00, 19:00-22:30 / Monday closed
Reservation : [email protected]