Casa do Rua is possibly the best hidden gem for lunch in all of the Duoro Valley. I texted the owner months ago for a reservation and again on the day of our visit. He had the table waiting with our name on it. A small family run business, the owner and his wife run this very hip little shop in the central business district of Lamego. Decorated with modern pictures and a caricature of the owners, they play US adult alternative music from the 90’s and 2000’s. The cafe personifies hip with just enough tradition and the owner told us they worked in Spain which explains his small menu of tapas and specialty burgers.

Bringing out a couture of a bread only made in the region and what looked like a small Portuguese Jamaican beef patty stuffed with delicious meat filling, the owner explained the menu choices thoroughly. Suggesting a tapa plate that included a gargantuan amount of tapas and our choice of one of eight burgers, he then suggested wine pairings from an extensive list and I tried my first Stout Super Bock beer. My wife enjoyed one of the only Portuguese red wines she’s liked.

The tapa plate included three kinds of cheeses, cured meats that included chorizo, a type of prosciutto and cubes of cured black pork (a Portuguese specialty). It also had some bachalu with a fried egg, pumpkin jam, roasted peppers, sweet potato chips, a sauce that he recommended with the black pork, and several types of delicious bread and crostinis. We chose the burger with fig chutney, sun dried tomato, lettuce and manchego cheese and it was the first beef I’ve enjoyed the taste of since being in Portugal for ten days including the big cities.

With no room for dessert or coffee, we thanked the owner for his great service and warm personality and he hoped we’d come back again which we will should we ever be in Lamego again. Given the limited seating, we recommend texting ahead for a reservation. Best hidden gem of our trip.