Norma — Restaurant in Guimarães

Decided to go to Norma on a last minute decision and what a great meal it was!! Entered the restaurant and got a friendly reception. After showing us the table, the first contact with the menu was a surprised one. The name of the dishes are truly original with a minimalistic description of the main ingredients. Decided to ask two different starters. The first was “A Batata e a Couve” (The Potato and the Kale) and “A vaca e o Pinhão” (The Cow and the Pine Nuts). Both were absolutely amazing, although I enjoyed the second one more. One of the best starters I had in Portugal in many years!! Both portions were to share, although the first one was a bit too big for two. (Here they forgot the cutlery to serve so each one had to use their own. Also should have either a fork or a knife along side the spoon to eat it). Then we move to the main courses - “O Peixe e a Migada” (The Fish and the Crumbs) that was absolutely divine!!! Super crispy tempura with a slight taste of “Fartura”, a nice crumb bed with tomato (the tomatoes cubes were dispensable) and a super fresh crispy topping that elevate the dish to a new level. The second main “O Franguinho e a Pasta” (The Little Chicken and the Pasta) was a wonderful surprise to see all the work that went in to this dish. The only bones we had were the ones on the wings! Every single other was gone! When cutting the chicken, was a smooth, clean cut. Then you eat it and the surprise continues as the chicken was filled with “alheira” (garlic portuguese sausage)! Stunning!! And to go along with it, a freshly made Gnocchi with Parmesan cheese, cooked to perfection!! And what to say about the desserts?!? Ranking them, the 3rd place was “A Rosa e o Chocolate” (The Rose and the Chocolate) because was a bit too sweet and the portion was for “chocolate lovers”. The pear (Pêra Rocha?) gave it a special detail. The 2nd place was the “O Abade de Berlim” (The Berlim Abbot), a mixture of flavors of the traditional “Abade de Priscos” pudding, the Berliner and a lovely lemon curd to cut the sweetness. The detail of the eatable signal “Olha a Bolinha!” sent us to our childhood beach holiday when the ones selling the berliners would scream that sentence announcing the fresh berliners were on sale! Just beautiful!! Finally on the 1st position was the “A Sandes de Banana” (the Banana Sandwich). Absolutely divine!! Sweet enough but very well balance, crispy outside and soft on the inside. The small touch of the popcorns gave it a very special surprise as it was unexpected! Would go for this dessert anytime!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the restaurant, under the helm of Chef Hugo Alves (winner of “Chef of the...

Thank you very much for the two wonderful meals in your restaurant. We became aware of Norma through the Michelin guide. A first visit for lunch offered us aromatic, very fresh and imaginative dishes in a wonderful ambience. The flavors and ideas of the recipes and the concept of Norma inspired us. We were so impressed that we tried the large tasting menu again two days later. We were also impressed the second time. The menu was changed for us by the very flexible service and the kitchen, so that we were not served dishes that we had already eaten on our first visit. The service is also very attentive and we were looked after very well, as if we were good friends. Miguel Marques, head chef since March 2025, and his team are truly sensational in the way they play with the flavors, whether fish, meat or dessert. We wish you many guests who appreciate what very good cuisine means. A real treat! Susanne...

Beautiful space, charming staff, and stunningly good food.

We had a late lunch on the patio during a particularly nice day in Guimarães. Nuno, our server, could not have been any more pleasant.

Started out with the tasty Norma Fried Chicken, their unique take on Bifanas, and some drinks. My wife is pregnant so she enjoyed the passion fruit cocktail while I had a bottle of whichever green wine Nuno recommended, a perfect choice for a hot day.

For entrees my wife had the Borrego (Lamb) which came with naan and various accoutrements which was one of our favorite dishes of the trip.

The Presa (Iberian Pork) was similarly delicious and topped with some wonderful sauces.

Not to be forgotten was that distinct Portuguese bread and some exceptional unique butter. I can’t recall exactly what was infused in it but do remember it being delicious.

Can certainly see why Norma gets their...