Zafferano Authentic Indian Restaurant — Restaurant in Porto

We ordered the chole bhature, palak paneer, and coriander naan. The chole was underwhelming—missing key spices like garam masala and leaning more toward a mild, South Indian flavor rather than the bold, hearty taste you'd expect from Punjabi chole. The palak paneer was better, though it was heavy on cream and light on actual spinach. Still, it was flavorful and enjoyable. The naan was thin and not fluffy, but had good flavor and complemented the meal well.

Where things really fell apart was the service. It felt blatantly biased and inconsistent. We were told we had to buy bottled water, only to notice other (white) customers being served tap water without question. When we asked for a larger table to accommodate our order, we were told the tables were reserved—yet minutes later, a single diner (white) walk-in was seated at a 4 person table. Our food also arrived after a couple who came in and ordered after us, and when we asked for the bill (twice), the staff still cashed out a different (white) couple first. When we brought up the unfairness, they brushed it off and were dismissive. We were hungry but left and had food elsewhere.

The food had its moments, but the service was unwelcoming and dismissive—especially if you’re a person of color. Won’t be going back and don’t recommend as it didn’t really have authentic flavour and service...

We live in Porto area for 2 years now and come to Zafferano at least once every 2 weeks. We are looking for the Indian taste that we remember from our 20 years living in Asia. Many people reviewed in detail the various dishes so I won't dish out a detailed Dal or Paneer review myself.

Just this. In Porto area we tried many of the surrounding Indian restaurants, multiple times, and it was frankly a 50-50 hit and miss. Zafferano (almost) always consistently delivers on food and service quality. On the other hand, I read some of the 'expert foodies' lower scoring reviews here and always wonder if they also shared constructive feedback to the owners on the spot or just hidden behind a google review? In our experience the owners and staff will gladly act on the spot and accommodate your tastes beforehand or if something is not to your liking. In the end, for us it's the consistent taste and quality of service that makes us return to Zafferano. For what it's worth, some of the 1-2 star reviews are clearly made up and I commend the owners of Zafferano that they stay positive but also call out these 'reviewers'. Believe me, just go here for good...

Zafferano is hands down the best Indian restaurant in Porto! From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed with warm hospitality that makes you feel at home. The atmosphere is cozy yet elegant, perfect for both a casual meal or a special night out.

The food is absolutely outstanding — every dish is bursting with authentic flavor, perfectly spiced, and beautifully presented. The butter chicken is rich and creamy, the lamb is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the naan is fresh, fluffy, and addictive. They also have an amazing variety of vegetarian options, all just as delicious.

On top of that, the service is flawless. The staff is attentive, friendly, and always happy to recommend dishes or adjust spice levels to your liking.

If you’re in Porto and craving Indian food (or just incredible food in general), Zafferano is a must-visit. Easily a 10/10 experience — I’ll...