Just an hour outside of Lisbon lies the historic city of Evora, packed with ancient architecture and Roman ruins. There are plenty of things to do in Evora, including eating and discovering Evora restaurants.
Of course when it comes to things to do in Evora, exploring the local dining scene is on the list.
Read along for some of our favorite Evora restaurants, from traditional tascas to modern wine bars.
The best Evora restaurants
Evora is the capital of Portugal’s vast Alentejo region, which is known for its vineyards, cork trees, and incredible food. Typical cuisine highlights local ingredients and simple specialties, like the legendary pão alentejano (regional bread).
The best restaurants in Evora run the spectrum from no-frills taverns to chic dining spaces, serving hearty comfort food, gourmet small plates, and everything in between. But one thing they have in common is respect for the local culinary heritage—and a passion for sharing it.
Whether you want to try the city’s best açorda or sample local wine and cheese, the top Évora restaurants won’t disappoint.
Botequim da Mouraria
This is the kind of no-frills bar where the focus is squarely on the food: classic regional dishes prepared with exceptional care. Botequim da Mouraria (R. da Mouraria 16A, 7000-585) has been run by the same husband-and-wife team for decades, transforming it into the stuff of local legend.
It’s a comfortable, cozy space that only has seats for about 10 people—so be prepared to wait (it’s worth it). We suggest ordering a few plates to share, like the melt-in-your mouth presunto (cured ham) with melon and figs, or the exquisitely simple roasted mushrooms.
Taberna Típica Quarta Feira
This family-run restaurant will make you feel like you’ve been invited into a local home, and that’s not so far from the truth. At Taberna Típica Quarta-Feira (R. do Inverno 16, 7000-599) you’ll be served a selection of daily dishes chosen by Chef João, whose father opened the taberna in the early 1990s.
If the lack of a menu concerns you, don’t worry; you’re in good hands. They have both traditional and creative dishes, and a big part of the fun is that you never know exactly what you’re going to get—but it’s guaranteed to be delicious.
Origens
This contemporary restaurant is built on the pillars of local products, regional flavors, and sustainability. Origens offers three- and five-course tasting menus as well as à la carte options and petiscos (small plates), including vegetarian versions of traditional dishes.
Its menu features classic recipes made with seasonal ingredients, often with a modern touch. Think local sheep’s cheese with toasted pão alentejano, roasted octopus with carrot purée, wild boar slow-cooked in red wine, or farinheira sausage with potatoes and scrambled egg.
Enoteca Cartuxa
Enoteca Cartuxa is run by the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation, which is dedicated to developing the Evora region. One way it does so is through the production of outstanding wines and olive oils, which you can enjoy at this colorful wine bar in the city center.
Its small menu offers specialties like chestnut soup, sauteed squid with mushrooms, and a delicious take on the iconic migas (a regional dish made of leftover bread cooked with pork). Pair some petiscos with a bottle of Cartuxa’s own wine, and you may never want to leave.
Dom Joaquim
Dom Joaquim expertly fuses tradition and innovation, with a menu designed to breathe new life into the region’s classic recipes. Its walls are stacked with carefully chosen bottles of wine to accompany your meal, as well as jars of homemade fruit preserves.
Highlights of the menu include roast lamb, pork cheeks with apple purée, and a delicious version of açorda—a thick bread stew typical of Alentejo—with bacalhau (cod) and poached egg. It’s the kind of food that’ll fill you up and make you feel right at home.
Restaurante Fialho
No list of the best Evora restaurants would be complete without a mention of Fialho. Open since 1945, this local institution has been run by the Fialho family for decades. It’s famous for its masterfully prepared versions of traditional recipes and its extensive wine cellar.
There’s no shortage of choices here, with a long list of appetizers, fish, and meat dishes on offer. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to go more than once, if only to try as many different things as possible. Don’t miss the dessert menu, featuring homemade “convent sweets.”
O Templo
Named after one of Evora’s most famous monuments (the Roman Temple), O Templo (R. do Escrivão da Câmara 2B, 7005-524) is a no-frills spot that serves up simple specialties, like fish dishes, migas, and many other classic plates. From the outside it may not look like much, and inside you’ll find just a few tables. But it’s the food—not the ambience—that sets it apart.
Order a platter of cured meats and cheeses to start, or go straight for the charcoal-grilled meat and fish. Signature dishes include rabbit stew and fried chicken à la avó (grandma) Mariana—the kind of recipes that only a Portuguese grandmother could truly perfect.
Evora restaurants FAQs
What food is Évora known for?
Évora is known for traditional comida alentejana: cuisine from the Alentejo region, of which it’s the capital. This includes dishes that highlight local products like bread, wine, and olive oil, plus plenty of pork, lamb, and seafood. Make sure to try açorda, a hearty bread stew.
What’s the most famous restaurant in Évora?
Of all the restaurants in Èvora, Restaurante Fialho may just be the most famous. This classic spot has been open for over 75 years, earning its reputation as one of the city’s best places for high-quality regional cuisine.
Want to try even more typical Portuguese food? Join us on a Lisbon food tour to sample the city’s best local products and classic dishes alongside a local expert!
Melissa first moved to Madrid to explore her interests in linguistics and communication, and quickly fell in love with the city’s culture and cuisine. She’s particularly passionate about Spanish vermouth and canned seafood, and makes it a point to drench absolutely everything in olive oil.
