Terra Nova, Porto: Exquisite Riverside Dining
With a menu that showcases the regions most exquisite oysters and seafood alongside a fabulous array of local wines, Terra Nova Restaurant is truly a feast for the senses. Set along the River Douro, the sun shines and sets on the riverfront views of this beautiful restaurant. Terra Nova pays homage to the past with classical dishes, meeting them with unique and contemporary tastes.
The quaint riverside resaurant exudes character and charm, with open stone walls and elegant decor. The team at Terra Nova Porto pay attention to every detail, with the finest crockery, cutlery and glassware, all carefully selected from established Portuguese craftsmen. Seated by the restaurant’s iconic circular window, we quickly acclimatized to the lovely surroundings and riverside view. To start, a light and refreshing white wine from a local vineyard, served alongside a selection of freshly baked bread with fragrant olive oil and homemade butter. Shortly after, four diverse and impeccably presented appetizers arrived, a selection to excite even the most laid back of foodies.
Terra Nova Porto is also known for fresh oysters sourced from a neighbouring town are delivered to the restaurant daily. Just as quickly as they arrived to the table, they were gone. You can actually taste the freshness. Tasty sardines presented on a lightly toasted broa and tomato sauce are an absolute must – this simple appetizer is absolutely delicious. Still on a high from the sardines, crispy, melt in your mouth cod fish balls, seasoned and cooked to perfection. Bacalhau à Brás came highly recommended, so we were excited to give it a try. Bacalhau à Brás is a classic Portuguese dish thought to have originated in Lisbon. Salted cod fish with thinly sliced fried potatoes and a soft egg yolk and light garnish, this epic Portuguese dish takes you to another level.
Unable to believe the elegant spread and diverse flavours from the appetizer menu, the time had come for main course. Although initially a tough decision, we settled on two phenomenal dishes. On one side, Massada Cod. A bed of homemade linguini with perfectly prepared and sliced cod fillet, served with a simple yet delicious savoury tomato sauce. It’s easy to see why this is a best seller at Terra Nova! Across the table, Duck Magret. Succulent duck breast, fresh wild mushrooms and broccoli intermingle to produce a highly elevated comfort food with familiarity and complexity impossible to replicate at home. A side of creamy mashed potatoes completes the dish, and makes for an unforgettable culinary experience.
As the sun went down and the night drew in at Terra Nova Porto, we managed to find space for something sweet. With little room to spare we selected two light yet mouthwatering treats. The cream, milk and raspberry offered a rich set of flavours with a slight tart to accent. In contrast, the banana, chocolate and caramel dessert, combing three unbeatable flavours for a unique twist on the classic banoffee pudding.
From start to finish, Terra Nova delivered. Simple, well sourced, fresh ingredients are meticulously prepared and seasoned to bring the very best out of each item in a food medley to die for. As Portugal continues to increase in popularity as a tourism and culinary destination, Terra Nova stands apart from the crowd as the quintessential dining experience in Porto.
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