tascö — Restaurant in Porto

Okay so there is a reason why this review is so detailed. This place is something you must experience at least once in your lifetime. Never have I ever eaten a dinner like this with staff treating us like this.

The experience starts right when you get inside the restaurant (it’s popular by the way, so a table reservation is highly recommended). The staff started by greeting all of us (we were a group of five) hyping up the situation so we felt like something special is coming up. And oh boy, we were right but we weren’t ready for what was about to come.

When we sat down, our waitress, Egna, introduced herself and asked for our names so she could use them throughout the evening. She told us about the character of the restaurant, how and what we should order and that the place is about sharing food, which we love. Right from the start it was clear that even though the staff was extra polite and helpful, everything was very relaxed and we could chat and joke with the staff or ask any questions we liked.

The food, I feel like, isn’t something that I should write about a lot, so I’ll just say shortly that you should definately try I’m a Fire Startero (which is ironically the only one we ate I don’t have a photo of), Senhor Polvo, Black Angus, Pure de Couve Flor and Filhos de Shakespeare. All of the dishes, however, are complete peaces of art and taste like heaven. Seriously.

But even though the food here is the best I’ve eaten in my whole life (and trust me when I say, I’ve eaten a lot), even more important is how to staff truly cares about your evening being perfect. With really meaning that word. Sometimes they would just come to have a drink and chat with us and everything would just work. And if you are wondering, yes, those drinks were on the house. All of them. They value the experience of their guest, and yes, it feels like you are a guest of theirs, crazy high. And that’s what makes this place truly special and with 4,5 stars on Google Maps, really underrated in my opinion. It should be a plain and simple 5.0. If I could, I would rate this place 10 stars so it would be a little bit closer to what it should be but oh well, I’m doing my best.

Thank you Egna, other waitors/waitresses and the kitchen, for making our night truly...

I very much felt like we got tourist trapped here. Please don’t get me wrong: it’s a beautiful establishment with very kind and welcoming staff. However, the food here is beyond mediocre given the price point. I’m not saying they should reduce their prices, but I do think they need to do a LOT of work to elevate the cooking to be valued at one of our most expensive meals on our trip. The only more expensive meal we had was at a Michelin star restaurant with next level service and flavors. The side dish that came was supposed to be a vegetable dish, but it came completely unseasoned. Simply put, it was some measly boiled vegetables without salt. I’m not particularly sure how any restaurant can justify that as anything but a mistake by the kitchen. The steak also came highly under seasoned. It was beautifully plated, but there was no proper crust or flavor to the outside. I say this in direct comparison to the Argentinian restaurant down the street that we ate the night before, Belos Aire, which had an INCREDIBLE steak, seared to perfection and at a lower price point.

This place is not without its redeeming qualities: the ceviche was lovely and had a great citric flavor. The cocktails were great, but don’t be fooled by them calling it “bespoke” or “tailored”. They’re just old classics (old fashioned or a Paloma) with new names. Still good though! The staff were warm and inviting and very kind. But I want to make sure an honest review of the food is out there. I think a lot of people reviewing here maybe had their first meal here or haven’t had a true fine dining experience. The food was NOT up to par and needs to be addressed, especially with so many other amazing restaurants down the street that taste better and are cheaper. Skip this one until more recent reviews note a change in the kitchen. Go to Belos Aire or eat along the Ribeira instead. The Ribeira has about the same level of food and cheaper price, but at least you get a beautiful view...

Our dining experience at this restaurant was truly next level, exceeding all expectations. We were seated in a private room upstairs, which added an exclusive touch to the evening. The ambiance was exceptional—centered around a long, elegant marble table, with striking artwork placed directly on the floor, creating a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere.

Our host, João, provided impeccable service, going above and beyond to ensure our experience was flawless. We began with a refreshing green sangria, which stood out for its balanced flavor—light, not overly sweet, and without the artificial taste often found in lower-quality versions. It was a perfect start to the meal.

The bread service was accompanied by a selection of flavorful spreads that were simply delicious. We then enjoyed a lobster soup with an incredibly rich and deep seafood flavor, elevated by a delicate wasabi foam that took it to another level.

For the main course, we indulged in perfectly seasoned and expertly cooked octopus, along with a medium-rare ribeye steak that was tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Every dish was beautifully presented, with thoughtful seasoning and flawless execution.

Dessert was equally impressive. The standout was a lemon filled with a luscious, creamy filling, complemented by rich dark chocolate. To our surprise, the restaurant generously added the rest of the desserts on the house, along with a perfectly crafted espresso martini.

As an unexpected and delightful touch, both chefs came out personally to greet us and ask about our experience—something rarely seen, even in the most exclusive dining establishments.

From start to finish, this was far more than just a five-star experience. Every detail, from the ambiance and service to the food and hospitality, was exceptional. This is a restaurant that truly understands the art of fine dining, and we cannot...