The Best Portuguese Restaurants in Toronto

The best Portuguese restaurants in Toronto must have a solid handle on seafood. Churrasqueiras are another thing; here we're talking about the total package. Since much of Portuguese cuisine is seafood-focused, these are the places to check out if you want the best piri piri shrimp, caldeirada, or grilled bacalhau with a side of caldo verde that Toronto has to offer. As to where in Toronto you'll find it — well, this list proves it can be just about anywhere (with a noteworthy nod to College St.). Some will treat you to valet parking, others will treat you to a flat screen with the game, but all of these restaurants serve meals that could be described as nothing short of saboroso.

Here is the list of the best Portuguese restaurants in Toronto.

See also:

The best BBQ Chicken (Churrasqueiras) in Toronto
The best Portuguese bakeries in Toronto
The best Portuguese custard tarts in Toronto

Bairrada Churrasqueira

Bairrada is a classic Churrasqueira that has been on College (in two different spots) for 22 years. That's one hell of a lot of BBQ chicken. (Please don't think about that, vegans.) They also have a location on St. Clair West and another in Mississauga. On College, there's live music every Thursday and an awesome backyard patio that pretty much looks like someone's own backyard patio except massive and with picnic tables. Bonus! There's a lot more than chicken on the menu (fish, seafood, veal cutlets). Portions are huge, and prices are great. More »

Chiado

And now, we segue from picnic tables to valet parking and $150 bottles of Redoma Reserva. Chiado is upscale Portuguese dining, with mains such as pan-seared filet of grouper, grilled octopus with sweet pepper salsa, roasted Australian rack of lamb, and specialty dishes with fresh fish flown in from Portugal. Superior choice for seafood dining, though probably not the place to catch Brazil vs. Portugal. More »

Salt Wine Bar

The atmosphere at Salt Wine Bar, first and foremost, deserves a nod, followed by its fantastic wine list (obviously) of Portuguese and Spanish wines. Tapas, charcuterie, and fresh-take-on-traditional mains, including crispy duck confit with parsnip puree and grilled calamari with chickpeas, chorizo and chili vinaigrette. More »

Perla Restaurant

Perla Restaurant doesn't have much in the way of fancy (on its walls or on its plates). The mantra here is simple, traditional Portuguese food with staples including caldo verde soup and grilled European sea bass. The kitchen is open, and the owners work the tables. More »

Amadeu's

Amadeu's Kensington Market patio is always bustling in the summertime, with cod fish "a braz," Alentejana pork, and steamed clam and mussels rolling out from the kitchen. The wine list is all Portuguese, and all decently priced. More »

Rush Hour

(Resisting urge to make Jackie Chan jokes) Can't get much better than the chorizo sausage appetizer at Rush Hour. Like many good Portuguese restaurants, the menu here is heavily seafood-based, with baked red snapper and grouper served in generous portions. Service is generally very friendly and attentive. More »

Adega

Adega might piggyback on its Elm Street address, but deservedly so. The 15-year veteran offers a mix of dishes with roots in Spain and Portugal, with a wine list of Portuguese labels and ports by both the glass and the bottle. Seafood is the specialty with fresh lobster, squid, and Adega's signature Mediterranean octopus on the menu. More »

Taste

Taste in South Etobicoke is more of a community hub than just a Portuguese restaurant, hosting bowling nights (well, the buffet part), live music, art shows, and a night of tasting wines from Italy (?). Well, the menu, at least, is wholly Portuguese, marked by its signature chicken, Picanha steak, and variety of fish. More »