Cais do Pescado — Restaurant in Aveiro

I came across this restaurant, which promised a focus on freshness and quality. My visit not only confirmed these expectations but also delivered an experience that combined a stunning location, impeccable service, and skillfully prepared dishes. However, a few areas could use some refinement.

The menu showcases a wide selection of fresh fish and seafood, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to premium ingredients. I started with the octopus, which was cooked to perfection—tender and subtly charred, enhancing its natural flavors without overpowering them. The spider crab was another highlight, with juicy, well-cooked meat that unmistakably showcased its freshness. These dishes displayed excellent technical execution and an attention to detail worth applauding.

That said, the experience wasn’t entirely flawless. The house dessert, intended to round off the meal, turned out to be the weakest link. While its presentation was adequate, it lacked the bold, memorable flavors that could have elevated the meal to a higher level. For a restaurant that excels in other areas, ensuring desserts match the quality of the main dishes would be a significant improvement.

On the other hand, the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, professional, and warm, creating a welcoming atmosphere that enhanced the overall dining experience. Their dedication to providing excellent customer service was evident and deserves special mention.

The restaurant’s location is undoubtedly one of its greatest assets. Nestled alongside a picturesque canal, the setting offers a serene and charming ambiance that perfectly complements the culinary experience. It’s the kind of place where the surroundings and the cuisine come together to create something truly memorable.

In summary, this restaurant is a must-visit for seafood enthusiasts seeking fresh, high-quality dishes in an extraordinary setting. While there’s room for improvement in certain aspects, particularly the desserts, the overall experience is highly commendable. A delightful spot to...

One of the most expensive places in Portugal that we’ve eaten so far. Greeted by a quasi-hostile woman at the door who told us despite our booking being at 7:30 we only had the table till 820.

Suggest you get wine by the glass unless you know exactly what you’re after- a pricey wine list.

Please note as in many Portuguese restaurants- that stuff on the table, that’s there when you arrive – the bread, the butter, the dips, the olives, not free! There was €13 of stuff we had to say no to. Saw other disappointed customers paying for it.

Two of us had three starters – octopus salad was superb, the eel was bony and a bit difficult to eat, and the cod tongues were just okay. I’ve had duck tongues and cod cheeks, so I thought I’d like cod tongues but I didn’t. At least not here. For mains- octopus, tempura – a bit doughy, but plenty of octopus. Strangely served with really soupy rice. Not sure how you’re supposed to eat this, but we ate the octopus first and the rice soup later. The other main grilled octopus with punch potatoes. Lovely. We were asked for reviews so here it is. The owner or some one who acted like an owner seemed quite keen that everyone had a good time and good wine. However when asked for a jug of water was told it must be bottled water. So not sure what unportable water they cook...

Honestly the worst customer service not only was the waitress not willing to offer a suggestion for a house wine but when ordering the bacalau a bras we got raw egg served on top of over cooked fried chips and scrambled egg, barely any cod fish. It was dry and tasteless with raw onions. Most definitely not traditional.

After asking for the bill which took over 15mins to come the waitress did nothing to further seek assistance of perhaps why we didn’t enjoy the meal. Instead gave attitude. Other Waitresses also touching customer dogs and then serving food. Garlic prawns for entree were ok but served with coriander as apposed to traditional parsley.

We payed €68. 2 glasses wine, garlic prawns, bacalau a bras and boiled cod fish. Overall a really disappointing dine in for a wedding...