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Tasquinha da Saudade Português Book

The house

Saudade is what you feel for a table where you once ate well. The Tasquinha was born for that: twenty seats on Rua da Sota, a kitchen, and Graça, the owner, welcoming everyone who comes in.

The food is home food. Soup made in the morning, oven-baked cod, Portuguese stew on Mondays, alheira with mountain cheese, egg pudding with Port wine. Olives and cheese when you arrive, because that is how guests are welcomed.

Whoever comes once comes back. Many come from far away and leave saying they ate like at their mother's. It is the highest praise this kitchen can get.

Draft text. The real story is the one Graça tells.

The dining room at the Tasquinha: sea-green walls, white tables with gingham tablecloths and the mural of the ruins at the back
The dining room, with the mural of the ruins at the back.
The wooden shelf with lace-tied jars, the clay tureen painted with flowers and two blue ceramic birds
The shelf: the jars with lace bows, the flower tureen, the birds.
The bamboo wine rack with the glasses hanging and the tile portrait of Charlie Chaplin
The wine rack and Chaplin in tile.

Who welcomes you

Graça.

She is the owner and the one who welcomes you. She comes to the table to ask if everything is fine, tells the story of each dish to anyone who wants to hear it, and whoever comes in is received as at home: olives and cheese on the table before anyone asks what you feel like. She is the one people thank by name when they write about the Tasquinha.

Draft text. The real story is the one Graça tells.

At the table

What comes out of the kitchen changes with the day. These are some of the dishes that have passed through the table.

The house dessert, in a bowl
The house dessert, in a bowl
Clams
Clams
Cod with corn-bread crust, potatoes and turnip greens
Cod with corn-bread crust, potatoes and turnip greens
Octopus with smashed potatoes and turnip greens
Octopus with smashed potatoes and turnip greens
Pica-pau (sautéed beef strips) with fries
Pica-pau (sautéed beef strips) with fries
Rice pudding
Rice pudding
Egg pudding
Egg pudding

What people say

People who have eaten here wrote this. First names only, as the platforms show them, and a link to read the rest.

4.7 on Google, 439 reviews 4.8 on TripAdvisor, Travelers' Choice

“Situated conveniently down from the train station and river front, two ladies have created the most charming restaurant that is just like eating at moms.”
Wendy Jo · March 2024 Read on TripAdvisor
  • “The family food served in the kindest way. Everything I tasted brought me back memories of my mother's food. Excellent value for money.”
    Luis, Madrid, Spain · August 2022 Read on TripAdvisor
  • “If you want to experience being invited to dine with a Portuguese family who is proud of their food heritage, this is the place to dine.”
    Vivian, United States · January 2023 Read on TripAdvisor
  • “A fantastic experience, a typically Portuguese place. The Portuguese sandwich is something unheard of, I had never tasted it anywhere; I warmly recommend dropping in and saying hello to Dona Graça.”
    Marcio, Lisbon, Portugal · August 2022 Read on TripAdvisor Original in Portuguese
  • “A lovely little Portuguese restaurant, made extra special by the warm and welcoming staff.”
    Jeanne, Coimbra, Portugal · February 2023 Read on TripAdvisor
  • “The food was delicious: cozido soup, cod fritters, pork cheeks with rice and turnip greens, all delicious. We finished with a home-made rice pudding made that same morning and a chocolate mousse to cry out for more.”
    Ana, Santarem, Portugal · August 2026 Read on TripAdvisor Original in Portuguese
  • “A fabulous experience. The food is superb, home-made, with top-quality produce and very generous portions. The price is excellent, and the service spectacular.”
    Isabel · April 2024 Read on TripAdvisor Original in Spanish
  • “Home-made and very tasty food. Very friendly service.”
    Teresa, Vilamoura, Portugal · February 2026 Read on TripAdvisor Original in Portuguese