3 Best Restaurants in Peso da Régua, Northern Portugal

Castas e Pratos was the first and remains the best of a row of eateries in a former railroad shed by Régua station. Snack on the first floor at a high table or climb the wooden stairs to the large mezzanine to for a sit-down meal; the sophisticated flavors and presentation are sure to delight you. You could start with a ceviche of tuna, shrimp and sea bass, or a seared scallop with pea purée, then move on to delicately flavored turbot with cockle rice, or one of the delicious slow-cooked meat dishes, such as veal cheeks. There are always tasty vegan options, too, and even a gourmet children's menu. For dessert, "O ovo" (The egg) hatches a sweet surprise. There are some 650 wines to choose from, the vast majority from the Douro, including local bubbly.

This riverside restaurant 9 km (6 miles) from Régua, on the left bank of the Douro, draws gourmets from far and wide with Michelin-starred chef Rui Paula's take on the cuisine of his native region, in which bacalhau and polvo (octopus) loom large, as well as tender Bísaro pork and Maronesa veal. You'll pay from €140 for a tasting menu (and from €100 for wine pairing); vegetarian menus can be arranged, with notice, and there is a children's gourmet set menu (€40) and several à la carte options.

Named for the black cat on its tiled facade, this sleek, family-run restaurant on Régua's main street, next to the Museu do Douro, specializes in traditional Douro cuisine, in generous servings. Favorites include chargrilled veal and, on Sundays, cabrito assado (roast kid), which locals line up for once the tourists are gone, but there are also well-priced dishes of the day, plus a range of vegetarian offerings.