RENATA - Restaurant & Terrace — Restaurant in Vila Nova de Gaia

Pity: food itself was well prepared but service makes me question if all these 5-star reviews are genuine.

We booked for an anniversary dinner and the service ruined what could have been a great meal if we'd been given proper advice on the menu. Instead the server misled us on how much to order by calling the entrees 'sharing plates', so that we end up with two appetizers and three entrees with no warning that this is far too much food for two people. He further takes the liberty - without asking - of adding sides of french fries and vegetables to our order, which we were expected to pay for. Same with bread, it is offered at beginning of meal without any mention that they intend to add €6 per person on the bill -- really nervy to charge €12 for bread.

When we receive the food and let the server know that it's way too much food for two people and nothing at all like sharing plates, he just makes a joke that 'we eat alot in Porto ' and walks away. Sadly most of the food was untouched past a couple of bites, which was a shame as the Maradensa steak was superb, as was the veal stew. After the plates are cleared and we ask for a glass of Madeira, he comes back with a 'gift' from the chef, a piece of dense chocolate cake, regardless of the fact that we declined dessert explaining that we had already ordered far more than we could eat.

Server then disappeared and after waiting impatiently for the bill we got up and went to the maitre'd for our bill and to once again let them know that we'd been misled on ordering the right amount - again a joke about how much people in Porto like to eat.

It's at this point that we spot the extra charges for items never requested and ask for an adjustment of our bill by €28, really unacceptable in this kind of restaurant but in hindsight probably to be expected as we were in a hotel after all....

A wonderful restaurant and experience.

We dined here a couple of days ago and found the restaurant to be exceptional. The front end service and floor service was outstanding. The food was very good. The restaurant was stylish, crystal clean and comfortable. I highly recommend for anyone who wants a very nice high-end experience and great food.

More detail, if anyone is interested.

The food was very good. The bread, olive oil and cheese was great. All were outstanding quality products. The rest of the meal was very good as well (but we only had a few items). Very nice wine selection as well.

I must again mention the service. The front end was superb. We accidentally arrived 30m late, as we had misunderstood the time (our fault). But the woman was exceptionally understanding and was able to seat us anyways. All the servers were very good and very attentive. We did not sit for any long periods of time without water in our glasses or wine in our glasses. They were very sure to check on everything and ensure everything was good the entire meal. Plates were check and cleared promptly. The bread, olive oil and cheese service was the best. The woman was just perfect in all aspects of the service. The wine service was outstanding as well.

Clearly a very well run restaurant who cares about their customer experience. And this does matter for high-end restaurants quite a bit.

Also, the quality of the dishes being presented is quite good. They are using exceptional product for their dishes. For example, they gave us the best olive oil we have had during our visit in Portugal so...

Renata, located in Porto, delivered one of those truly memorable dining experiences that goes beyond just great food. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel incredibly personally welcomed, taking the time to guide us directly to our table rather than just pointing the way. Our waitress was a total delight, genuinely charming and funny, making the entire service feel light and engaging. We had a great laugh during our order. I was so intrigued by the "story" the dish was telling that I had to ask about the specific spices used. Though the waitress had to politely admit she couldn't quite recall the exact mix, the bit of embarrassment turned into a funny anecdote we all shared. It added a human touch to the evening and we laughed it off immediately. And the food? Simply amazing. Every dish was executed flawlessly, making the entire culinary part of the experience an absolute highlight. One thing to note for future visitors: finding the entrance is a bit tricky! It wasn't clear how to get in, so we had to ask the hotel reception, who quickly informed us that the restaurant is actually located inside the hotel: a detail worth knowing in advance. Finally, the facilities were a surprising spectacle. The hand-washing area in the toilet was truly unique, designed to look like a miniature island, a completely unexpected and fun design touch! Overall, Renata is a must-visit for its outstanding cuisine, warm hospitality, and memorable quirks....