Terra Nova — Restaurant in Porto

I went to this restaurant with my friend who was visiting Portugal for the first time and regrettably, we both ended up with a bad case of food poisoning that lasted over a week. We decided to eat here because many other restaurants were closed in the area due to holiday hours. We should have taken the horrible service as a sign to find literally any other place to eat instead of here. We waited for about 30 minutes to get any of the four servers' attention even though there were three empty tables. We had to go in and ask more than once for a minute of someone's time to see if they would even serve us. They finally seat us and we order the bacalhau dish and the octopus risotto. I noticed an unusually strong smell coming from the food as soon as we were served but I naively assumed I had nothing to worry about at a restaurant in front of the Ribeira that was charging upwards of 24 euros a plate. Midway through, my friend and I decided to switch plates because she wasn't really enjoying her meal... We were already regretting our decision to come here but were assured by the good reviews. I never eat anywhere without reading the reviews but didn't think to check the 1 and 2-star reviews. I was not surprised to discover that this has happened to other people at this restaurant. Just 2 hours later, I had to get off the train on the way home because I was going to be sick. My friend was sick that night as well. Thank you, Terra Nova for a lovely introduction to Portuguese cuisine for my unfortunate friend. For about a week after, we were still suffering the consequences: body aches, stomach cramps, and... you can imagine the rest. This experience was altogether embarrassing and deeply upsetting. Needless to say, it was not worth the cost and exasperating service. You can easily find good, safe food and great service in...

We should have looked at the other google reviews before choosing this location for our dinner when staying in Porto. We did not and we regret it. We came into a full house and the front desk lady was nice to squeeze us in. Like everyone else we were intrigued by the crab with pasta and we ordered that with 3 oysters and the cod linguine. The dishes took a while but they were not as advertised. The proportions were small, came out COLD, and there was NO CRAB like the pictures. When we asked if we ordered correctly the waitress said yes there's crab in the pasta. We ate it and it was pretty bland. Oysters were small, only had lime on the side. Cod linguine was pretty good but again - came to our table COLD and was not very enjoyable. Still puzzled with our crab pasta, we asked a different waiter and he then said "today we have no crab" which was NOT explained when we ordered our dishes.

On our way out we were pretty disappointed and when we passed the front desk lady on the way out about the crab dish she then said they had none available today and what we received was crab paste with shrimp as a substitute. This was NEVER explained and we were charged the original price of their unavailable dish. When we asked why this wasn't explained to us she insisted that she had explained and it was impossible that we were uninformed.

I totally understand that things happen, supply is not guaranteed, and on a busy day dishes may come out late and cold. But when things like this happen the customers expect an apologetic attitude and not a defensive one. This was hard to believe because our stay at Portugal and Porto has been nothing short of excellence everywhere we went.

Left...

Our meal at Terra Nova was nothing short of spectacular, and it quickly became one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the atmosphere—warm, inviting, and set right by the water, offering the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening.

We started with a simple yet incredibly flavorful dish of potato, cod, and olive, a combination that was both rustic and refined. This appetizer set the tone for what was to come, and we couldn’t wait to see what else was in store.

For the main courses, we indulged in two standout dishes: homemade pasta with cod and a squid ink risotto with octopus. The pasta was perfectly cooked, was so homemade, and came with the freshness of the cod. The risotto, on the other hand, was rich and creamy, with the octopus adding just the right amount of texture and flavor. Both dishes were perfectly seasoned, showcasing the quality of ingredients and the chef's skill.

However, the food wasn't the only thing that made this meal exceptional. Our server, Mimi, was easily one of the nicest people we've ever met. Her warm, attentive service truly added a personal touch to the evening, ensuring that every aspect of our meal was perfect. She went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, and her kindness and professionalism were the cherry on top of an already amazing experience.

To top it off, we had an amazing cheesecake for dessert and a glass of the famous port wine.

Between the incredible food, the lovely atmosphere, and the outstanding service from Mimi, Terra Nova is, without a doubt, a 10 out of 10. We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Porto—you won’t be...