The Door

Fancy, slow and overrated. Feel free to pass, there are so many better choices. It might also depend on who is in the kitchen at the moment and who you get for a server, but are you willing to take a chance that still will cost a pretty penny? Service was slow. Next table patrons were frequently served ahead of us, even though they sat after us and ordered similar dishes. Awaiting fifteen minutes for someone to show up after they sit you down, and then another half hour for an unenthusiastic carpaccio is not my idea of kicking off an enjoyable lunch. Eventually we just gave up waiting and decided to pass on ordering some additional dishes we initially wanted to try. All the dishes except one were not memorable. The fancy serving of four pieces of scallop for 16 Euros was the worst thing I ever observed done to scallops. The dish was more bland than a jar of infant food from a discount supermarket. Zero taste and flavour. Oh, so pretty, but at the same time so unbelievably tasteless. This was all poseur and no substance. The other things we tried were just slightly ahead. None of the diners were locals. All were tourists attracted by the fabulous reviews.

We made reservations to sit inside. The food was delicious. We had the steak tagliatelle and the scallops. The not just salad was excellent - walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts with balsamic vinaigrette. The steak was beautifully cooked and very tender. The server was excellent and very friendly.

Tucked away on Rua das Taipas, The Door feels like one of those rare places where everything — flavor, creativity, and atmosphere — comes together effortlessly. From the first bite to the last, it was one of the most unforgettable meals we had in Porto. We began with the smoked baba ganoush, smooth and deeply aromatic, its subtle smokiness unfolding with each bite. Then came the eel and ikura — an elegant surprise of textures and balance, where the rich eel met the delicate pop of roe. Next was the white fish tiradito, bright and refreshing, with a perfect balance of citrus and spice. The Argentinian beef empanada followed — warm, flaky, and packed with rich, seasoned meat that felt like comfort and craftsmanship in one bite. For the main course, the Beef Tagliata — a 200g Argentinian sirloin — arrived perfectly seared, tender inside, and full of depth. And to close the evening, the caramel sandwich — a dessert that managed to be both playful and indulgent, sweet but never heavy. Every dish felt intentional, beautifully presented without pretension. The service matched the energy of the food — attentive, warm, and genuine. The space itself carried that cozy sophistication Porto does so well: understated, candlelit, quietly confident. By the end of the night, we weren’t just impressed — we were already planning our return. The Door is not just dinner; it’s a story told through flavor.

Where to start? From the moment we got there till we left, everyone was so friendly and patient with us- they explained the menu to us and were friendly about the language switch going on at the table. We took their advice regarding recommendations and were not disappointed at all! The oysters, the appetisers and the mains were incredible! Not to mention the dessert, the sticky toffee pudding was ridiculously delicious- a huge offering that we shared as we had overindulged with the food! Overall, an incredible find and we’d definitely make the trip to return again! 1000/10

If you’re looking for something different in Porto, The Door is definitely worth a visit. The service is warm and highly personalized, making the whole experience feel special. The menu brings forward flavors and ingredients that you don’t come across every day, yet everything is balanced with a lot of care. The tuna carpaccio and the scallops were absolutely delicious, fresh, and perfectly executed. The chouriço, on the other hand, was the one dish that didn’t quite hit the mark for me – the sweetness in the flavor combination overshadowed the true identity of what chouriço is meant to be, at least for my Portuguese taste. But the biggest surprise came with dessert: a chocolate hummus with sea salt and pistachio. It was unexpected, creative, and incredibly good – a perfect way to end the meal. Overall, The Door offers a unique dining experience, ideal for anyone who wants to step outside the traditional and discover inventive, well-thought-out dishes. Highly recommend!

We made reservations to sit inside. The food was delicious. We had the steak tagliatelle and the scallops. The not just salad was excellent - walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts with balsamic vinaigrette. The steak was beautifully cooked and very tender. The server was excellent and very friendly.