O Gaveto — Restaurant in Matosinhos

Disappointing Experience with Pricing Surprises and Underwhelming Food

We chose O Gaveto just outside of Porto after skipping Marisqueira Antiga (Anthony Bourdain visited), where concerns about hidden charges kept popping up in reviews. O Gaveto came recommended by Eater, so we were hopeful. Unfortunately, our experience left us feeling frustrated and misled.

We were a group of three adults and a toddler. We ordered a large crab and seafood rice. The crab shown to us as an example was about 1.5 kg, but what arrived was closer to 2 kg. Fine, you cannot get the same fresh out of the tank, but we couldn’t finish it. When the seafood rice came, it looked massive. Although the menu clearly states it’s for two people, our server said it was “for three” because she ordered it on our behalf. I said it’s too much and she told us not to worry—implying the price would be adjusted.

But when the bill came, the crab was priced €10 more per kilo than what was listed—we were told the “computer wasn’t updated.” The server did adjust that, but still charged us for 2.5 portions of seafood rice, nearly €30 more than expected. That adjustment never happened.

It left a bad taste, not just because of the surprise charges, but because the food wasn’t even worth the premium. The seafood rice was bland, the broth lacked depth, and the flavors didn’t stand out. We’ve had way better seafood rice at non-seafood-focused restaurants elsewhere in Porto.

Bottom line: Be cautious around this town. Pricing feels deliberately dishonest and it seems to be a common practice towards tourists. Despite the hype, the food just didn’t deliver. If you’re after a memorable seafood experience, this...

The clams are very full, and there is a huge duck (22.5 euros) from an anthology, proving that simple cooking is only for masters like chef Alonso. Three hundred grams of goose barnacles (13.5 euros) are enough to quench the longing for the sea, they will soon be more vigorous, 150 grams of small shrimp from the coast (14.25 euros) and the accounts are done with destiny, we are already saved . Toast with butter on the side, a good white served and the journey begins. In good time, Manuel Pinheiro decided to hand over the controls of this spacecraft to his sons João Carlos, already mentioned, and José Manuel, who also officiates in the room, it's nice to see him there happy from table to table, and all of us, happy to see you so happy. The rice and bread soups are unavoidable and are good for two people. The seafood rice (39.5 euros), carolino with immaculate pulp, is a treat, the lobster rice (62.5 euros) quintessential. The lobster soup (59.5 euros) is worth checking out. On days when the shellfish is less popular, the hake fillets with Russian salad prepared here are glorious, and when they are available, grilled turbot (55 euros/kg) is rarely missed. And going to Gaveto with a sense of the flesh is not a sin, it is an easily realized and more than justified desire. Saturday's champion dish, tripe à moda do Porto (17.5 euros) is a must, the beef steak à Gaveto (17.75 euros) is a trip back in time and the veal tenderloin with peas (15. 75 euros) delight for the tables with the youngest. In the sweet endings, the double temptation of Ovar sponge cake (4.75 euros) and almond tart...

I wanted to try this restaurant for a while. I had heard good things about it and about their acorda. As a lot of restaurant in matosinhos, it's a fish and sea food restaurant. The decor is mix between modern and traditional and the atmosphere is definitely cosy-chic. We had lingueirão as starter. They were fresh as expected from matosinhos and cooked exactly as I like: grilled and lightly caramelized but not too cook. Then we had the acorda de santola. It is one of their specialty. It was indeed the best acorda that I ever had. The traditional acorda is made with seafood, mostly shrimps. This one is made with crab and I loved it. In my opinion it's a better fit with the bread. Then the acorda was very well balanced in spice garlic and coriander. The only bad point was that there was a few pieces of shell in there. The price is a bit on the expensive side but not exaggerated for the quantity. The service is very good: professional but also friendly and helpful. Overall it's was a very enjoyable meal and I will...