Morabeza Boavista — Restaurant in Porto

Having been dazzled by African cuisine in Lisbon, my son and I desperately sought something similar in Porto, which is where we were actually located for our holiday. Porto is less multicultural than Lisbon so I wasn't optimistic that we'd find anything authentic. I have never been so pleased to be proven wrong. On entry our hostess, Carla (pictured), immediately made us feel as if we were the only people that mattered in the restaurant. I had wanted muamba, which is a dish you have to ask for but unfortunately there wasn't any left so upon registering my disappointment, she gave us a comprehensive run-through of the menu. My son opted for the shrimp curry with coconut rice and having been wowed by Carla's enthusiasm, I asked her to order for me. Seeing that we were pretty ravenous she preemptively ordered starters for us, seasoned cassava balls with a herb dipping sauce and chickpea fritters. They were astoundingly good and an excellent precursor to our main. My meal wasn't listed on the menu so I'll fail to do it justice here, but it was a curry consisting of spinach, okra, fish, aubergine served with corn meal. I have no words to do it justice and when Carla discovered I was a fiend for pepper she literally went and got a small jar for me to take away. I thought we couldn't be any more impressed and then came desert. As my son puts it, "I don't want to have the final mouthful because then it will be over and I'll be upset". The cheesecake is the best he's had and you can see from the picture how gutted he is that the experience was about to end. If you're in Porto and you don't take advantage of this amazing place then frankly, you're missing out on an unparalleled evening of amazing food, wonderful ambience, and in Carla the most attentive, thoughtful and considerate hostess we have ever had the privilege of meeting. We will definitely be returning and telling anyone who will listen that they need...

This rating is not for the quality of food and service. Both were great and our waitress, Carla was friendly. The poor rating is because of the experience in receiving our bill. It seems that many restaurants put bread on the table or something small as a bit of a nibble before the meal. Most waiters will ask before putting it down and the cost is minimal 1.50 to 2 euros. I usually decline. It is always disappointing when they just put it and don't ask if we want it or not. Many of us have the impression this bit is compliments of the house, as it is in most countries, and in some restaurants in Portugal it is! But when two of these types of starters are put on the table and when you don't even want it or like that sort of thing it is quite upsetting to pay a premium for it. 7 euros (3.50 each) was added to my bill for 2 fried types of appetizer dishes which I did not like at all, and it was something I would never order. My friend ate some of it. I am not sure what people who are on a budget or who are vegetarian would do with this. There was meat in one of the dishes. In addition to this I was charged 2 euros for the take out container for my friend's leftovers. We all know how much those containers are bought for at restaurant supply shops, not much! This should be a convenience and not a way for the restaurant to make extra money and so the cost should be close to what that item cost in the first place. The 9.50 euros extra in total added to my bill on top of the food and wine we ordered is outrageous. As I said, the food and service was great but when I convert that 9.50 to the money I get for my retirement pension which is in CAD funds it comes to $15.00...

Today was the first time I have had a bad experience in Portugal. From all excursions, restaurants, taxi service, you name it—customer service has been amazing until I came to this restaurant. My mom and left the touristy area to try something a little more local and after reading the positive reviews, I was looking for a wonderful experience. When we arrived at 7:40 and we were the only ones, which was surprising since it was Saturday evening. The young man who attended to us was very rude. The menu was in portugese and We asked if he spoke English and he said no, so my mom jokingly said “no English”, he responded “you’re in Portugal, do you speak Portuguese?”and with an attitude. Since he didn’t speak English he showed us pictures of what the food was. Our meal came and he never once came to check on us to see if we needed anything else, or ask if everything was ok. (All this time he was in the back talking with another person, I’m assuming was the chef). It wasn’t until it was as time to get the check and he asked if we enjoyed the food. We left the restaurant at 8:25 and it was only then that another party (4 people) showed up. They new guests spoke Portuguese and it seemed like he happily engaged in conversation with them when the arrived. I don’t know how attentive he was to them after, since we left. So I definitely cannot recommend this place; not only for the poor customer service but also the food was on the salty side and cost as much as in the tourist spots. Not sure how long they can...