As much of a Portuguese staple as the hot sauce it’s named for, this upscale Junction Triangle restaurant been a favourite for two decades. They’re known for their bright and spicy house-made piri piri, which they sell by the bottle and use to marinade their chicken. 

Head to this longtime Little Italy restaurant for rack of lamb dinners and Nova Scotian lobsters on saffron risotto. The tapas menu is a selection of grilled seafood and cold, olive-oil doused sardines and salted cod salads.

It’s all about Portuguese BBQ chicken at this family favourite. Named after its owner Carlos Martins, this sprawling restaurant opened in Brampton in 1994 before arriving at Rogers Road. Now they’ve got a second location on St. Clair West where they’re serving the same menu of suckling pig and sea bass filets. 

The patio vibes are unparalleled at this Portuguese institution-turned-mini chain. Launched on College Street by Carlos Pires in 1989, this family-run affair has now expanded with multiple locations for churrasco chicken and cheap pints.

Mercado Negro’s more casual sister restaurant serves chicken combos and affordable breaded filets in the Castlefield Design District. This restaurant has you covered for family feasts, with party platters overflowing with codfish, seafood rice, potatoes and lasagna.

Despite what its name suggests, this Dufferin Street restaurant is going for a laidback fine dining vibe. Caldo verde soups, whole Chilean sea bass and picanha steaks are served. No screenings of the Jackie Chan-Chris Tucker movie included.

Come to this Weston Road staple for the barbecue chicken, stay for the francesinha: a sandwich doused in a tomato and beer sauce. Owner Lurdes Da Costa Oliveira makes a mean sammie with layers of steak, salami, wrapped in tons of cheese.