Arco Bar — Restaurant in Coimbra

A Lifesaver in Coimbra

Exhausted after a long day of shooting, we realized we hadn't even eaten lunch. Asking the hotel receptionist for a recommendation, she enthusiastically declared Arco Bar her "lifesaver."

A short walk of 5-10 minutes later, we arrived at Arco Bar. While the exterior appeared intimate, the inside surprised us with a comfortable space accommodating roughly 50 guests. The atmosphere was lively, bathed in the warm glow of numerous ceiling bulbs.

Having enjoyed Douro Doc wine for the past three days, we decided to stick with what we knew and ordered another bottle. While we weren't wine experts, the Douro region hadn't disappointed us yet.

Our meal began with a delightful spread of olives and bread. Following the receptionist's recommendation, we opted for the grilled black pig, a renowned dish in Coimbra alongside codfish.

And let me tell you, the black pig was nothing short of "Delicioso"! This trip, we liberally used the phrase "Out of this World," and the black pig undeniably earned that title.

Fries at Arco Bar was equally impressive. Perfectly cooked, it achieved a balance of firm texture without being tough and juicy without being soggy. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be, well, you guessed it – "Out of this World"!

While my coworker's shrimp omelet appeared less exciting on the plate, it proved to be light, fresh, and perfect for a pre-bedtime meal.

However, the true highlight of the meal was the dessert. While I can't quite recall the specifics, it was possibly a firmer, sweeter version of tiramisu paired with a delightful chocolate mousse. Both were simply divine!

The final bill was surprisingly reasonable considering the quality of the food. I left Arco Bar feeling like I could easily dine...

So good. I was gonna take a photo of my meal but I devoured it before I could stop myself. The steak in garlic sauce. It's a must buy. Get this. What you're seeing in my photo is the lime pie. Very good. I almost couldn't get that pic in, haha. I inhaled it.

The folks here are very nice too. I'm in town for a convention that's being held at the university this weekend. I'm gonna tell folks to come here before they leave town.

And everyone reading this should come here too. You're missing out...

O Restaurante Arco Bar, é um ponto obrigatório por quem passa por Coimbra. Com 41 de história e tradição da arte de bem receber, sempre foi um local de eleição por quem aprecia boa comida e pelos estudantes que adoram petiscos sem horários definidos. Nos últimos 2 anos, a nova Gerência melhorou ainda mais este espaço, proporcionando um ambiente ainda mais agradável e acolhedor, não só pela qualidade que já estávamos habituados, mas também pela manutenção de toda a equipe que sempre conhecemos. A decoração é óptima e envolvente, especialmente para almoços e/ou jantares de grupos até 25 pessoas. Garantidamente temos um ambiente típico, caseiro e pessoal, já para não falar da melhor cerveja de Coimbra... Obrigado por continuarem o excelente...