Taberna o Papagaio — Restaurant in Porto

As a larger group (7) nowhere else could accommodate us as walk-ins, so we ended up here. Once we were ready to order, it transpired that there was barely anything in the kitchen, with most of us having to make alternative choices. After ordering, the waiter then had to come back multiple times to tell us that things had run out and we had to re-choose.

When the food actually arrived, it was worse than we even expected after the drama of ordering. The grilled salmon was so dry that it could have been used as a flip flop. In contrast, the steak (which was ordered medium-rare) was so untouched by the pan I was considering reviving it. A garlic shrimp starter was also ordered, at 15 euros after both main options I chose were out, consisting of a watery sauce with whole, uncooked garlic cloves thrown in. The shrimps were also tough. The best part of our meal was when one of us asked for ketchup for their fries, to which we were told yet again “sorry we are out”.

One thing to note: while the food was worse than even our low expectations, the two rushed-off-their-feet waiters were very good. No disrespect to them, they deserve to be working somewhere else. Our waiter looked so embarrassed multiple times and I felt sorry for him. So he gets any of the positive stars...

Awful experience - really dodgy scam by the sounds of it. From the moment we sat down things didn't seem right. Then after ordering drinks and food we were told a very odd story about how earlier in the day the waiter had dropped the card reader and it wasn't working so we would have to go get cash. We'd been given our drinks but not the food so we asked to cancel the food as we only had enough cash to pay for drinks, and they should have told us about the card reader before we ordered anything. The waiter told us he needed to check, and then came back and asked us to go to the steps to talk, which we refused to do. He then left and after a while told us his boss would like to talk to us and would we come with him into the private kitchen area. Just felt very odd so we put money to cover the drinks on the table and walked to the exit. We explained we'd left the cash but then the owner came out and was fairly aggressively asking us (two women) to come upstairs and talk to him. We refused and walked away as he called after us that we were crazy.

Seen a few other reviews saying similar - just so glad we didn't eat there and got away. Really dodgy place - and awful...

This is a quaint restaurant on Mercados in Porto near the river. We were walking down Mercados and ducked in for lunch. We sat in the basement, old style brick walls woth arches, which provides charm. We ordered the grilled chorizo, which they flame at the table, which brought out a nice smoked flavor. We then ordered the house cod and bacalhau a bras, cod with onions, thin fried potatoes, blended with egg. This is a traditional Portuguese dish, a first time for us and it was a delicious way to enjoy cod. The house cod is fried just right, thin batter with an onion seasoning, very tasty and fried just right, enhancing the flavor. We had the red sangria with the dishes and it was pleasing with the cod dishes. We finished with café and a glass of white port, sweet, which was a great dessert. I recommend yhis place to those who venture to the riverfront and want a restaurant which gives great food and service in a more...