A FRESH TAKE ON PORTUGUESE TRADITION WITH DE CASTRO GAIA
Fourteen years after its opening, deCastro Gaia celebrates a new chapter with a refreshed interior and an updated menu, while remaining true to the traditions of Portuguese cuisine. Located at Espaço Porto Cruz on the Gaia waterfront, the restaurant was founded in 2012 by chef Miguel Castro e Silva, who helped bring the Portuguese petisco culture back into the spotlight, celebrating the art of sharing small plates around the table.
Today, Castro e Silva continues this tradition alongside his sous-chef, José Guedes, with whom he shares a passion for quality ingredients, regional flavours, and authentic Portuguese gastronomy. Their collaborative approach shapes the new menu, which balances traditional recipes with contemporary techniques and thoughtful presentation. New dishes include vegetable cake with tomato and apple chutney, sliced veal with Portuguese mustard sauce, sautéed cuttlefish with green sauce, pork ribs with cabbage cornmeal, Provençal octopus rice with fillets, and orange and fresh cheese pudding.
Complemented by an extensive selection of wines from the Granvinhos portfolio, deCastro offers a relaxed yet refined dining experience that celebrates Portugal's culinary heritage. The redesigned interior brings a renewed sense of intimacy and sophistication, creating an inviting setting for both locals and visitors.
The experience extends to the Terrace Lounge 360º, the rooftop bar at Espaço Porto Cruz, renowned for its panoramic views of Porto and the Douro River. Since opening in 2012, the bar has sought to introduce Port wine to younger generations through an inventive cocktail programme. Signature creations such as Cruz Rosemary, Cruz Spicy Pink, and Cruz Passion have become favourites, while new additions, including Cruz Cucumber and Cruz Caipiporto, expand the offering for spring 2025.
Together, deCastro Gaia and Terrace Lounge 360º celebrate Portuguese food, wine, and hospitality, bringing tradition and contemporary creativity together in one distinctive destination.
