Gruta — Restaurant in Porto

As an Asian solo traveller, I visited Gruta in July 2024. The reason why I post it late is because when I think of the experience I still get upset and wanted to share it with as many people as I could. I like to dine in a restaurant with good reputation and often refer a guide or see the reviews of a place. This restaurant particularly looked nice in Michelin guide so I even booked a table for myself in advance for my Porto trip. However it ended up the worst dining experience for my entire life.

First, I was given a tiny table next to the toilet. Regardless of the time of booking and the available tables at the time of entrance, I was told to sit at the very last table in a corner where I had to face all people enter and exit from the toilet. Some didn’t even bother to close the door so it was disgusting experience (imagine constant facing ppl in and out of toilet while eating). When I told the staff about it at the end, they seem to have known it was not appropriate to seat someone there. But apparently they had to anyway in order to maximize their revenue as told by the boss (REALLY???)

Secondly, the first dish I ordered was cold clam dish which smelled off. I could notice it as soon as the waiter served it at the table. I couldn’t finish the dish and staff even looked at me didn’t seem to understand why I didn’t finish. If the staff was careful enough she would have asked if anything was wrong but I was never asked.

Thirdly, I waited long between meals. Hence I needed a second drink and asked staff to get me a drinks menu but she never delivered. I had to stop another server to get me a menu and order. That’s when I was surprised and became more upset because staff didn’t even asked my feeling or opinion, they just put my second drink on house. I felt like they were showing off with a drink which I never asked for and would not accept anyway without a proper explanation and apology. Unfortunately though it didn’t happen until the end.

Lastly, the manager, lady with short hair, was too arrogant to deal with the situation. It’s pity that I didn’t get her name but surely they will know who I’m talking about. She wasn’t willing to listen to me nor try to understand my point. Instead she yelled at me and cut me off few times when I was talking. They didn’t even know how to correct the bill when I told them to add the second drink which I was given for free against my will. I literally felt like I was kicked out of the restaurant.

It ruined my first day of Porto trip and my expectation of the city and even the entire country of Portugal. What a shame! The experience of that night was too terrible to forget or forgive until now after a couple of months passed. I got a lesson though, thanks to this restaurant, to get the staff name and officially write a complaint letter for such humiliating experience and RACISM.

I would like to apologize for sharing such a shameful experience with many guests who were there that night. I truly did not intend to interrupt nor...

Review scoring: 3 as expected based on price, quality and reputation, ie as expected. 4 better than expected and 2 lower quality than expected. 5 absolutely outstanding in all respects against expectations; food quality and presentation, staff, decor and atmosphere.

I rarely score 5. It has to be exceptional, and GRETA is such a destination experience. A simple, unpretentiousness restaurant with a limited menu that executes each dish expertly. The story, which needs to be on the web site😎, is an all female staff from Brazil, supporting producers in the vicinity and creating everything from scratch….. so:

Bread focaccia home made with churned butter, olive tapenade and some fish topping…. The bread and butter…. And olive and fish topping were expertly crafted and zinging with flavour. Simple, elegant, exceptional.

We had the oysters and the bisque…they proclaimed the oysters as the best in the world….. and we think they were right or very close to it. From near Lisbon these oysters are one of the 7 natural food wonders of Portugal……. The bisque was…. Truely amazing. Look at the photos to see the generous langoustine and caviar ( which floated throughout the broth giving a wonderful crunch and flavour explosion).

Mains were the cod, the national dish of Portugal, even though it’s not caught in their waters… an English import I was told. This was a terrific taste and texture as it was salted initially so quite firm and “salty” but awesome. The pea puree was terrific and the stuffed cabbage roll complemented the fish very well. The cabbage must be a robust varietal as it was sturdy but great in texture and flavour. The zucchini salad was simple, crunchy and quite plain, but a wonderful accompaniment. So darn good! If the English exported salt cod to Portugal how the heck is British cuisine so plain and boring????? Salt cod and muddy peas here...

Sometimes when I read review, I wonder whether the person writing it works for the establishment. Rest assured I do not.

My spouse and I went to Gruta after reading some reviews and seeing that it had been voted amongst the best new restaurants recently. That is an understatement. Gruta is one of the best restaurants we ate in while visiting numeorus cities in Portugal, including a number of MIchellin star restuarants. It also intrigued us that Gruta is operated by an all-female staff.

Gruta is a cozy relaxed restaurant with a limited number of tables. It is sparsely yet comfortably decorated which is ingenius because it allows the food to shine and be the star of your dining experience. And it certainly does.

The table next to us included a person who reaquired a gluten free diet. No problem. And the wait staff knew precisely what that diner could/could not eat without having to consult the chefs.

The meal was well paced and not rushed at all despite the limited number of tables. We split 4 snacks and starters and one main as well as 2 desserts. More than enough.

Everything we ate was exceptionally well prepared and delicious. The carrot velvet soup was exceptional and complex with every bite providing a new taste. The cod fish clouds and knife shrimp were finger licking good. For our main, the fish moqueca was innovative and incredibly tasty. For desserts, the chocolate mousse and panna cotta were an excellent way to end the meal, each as delicious and unique as every other dish we ate.

Chef/owner Rafaela Louzada came out of the kitchen several times to greet us and discuss the meal with us which was a lovely bonus.

My only complaint is that I did not get a chance to go back and try more of the food.

We could not recommend this...