Uva by Cálem — Restaurant in Vila Nova de Gaia

This was our third time to UVA and once again, it surprised us at how good it is. It is a definite standout in a touristy area that could be very contrived.

The food is excellent, with very good pasta, some of the best fish, and THE best steak we have had anywhere in Portugal.

Other favorites included...

From the appetizer menu: Crispy Brie Cheese nuggets, Tabua & Tuna Carpaccio, Salmon Gravlax, and Prawns with Garlic.

From the salad menu: The Mixed Salad, and Grilled Chevre Cheese Salad.

From the seafood menu: Fish and Shellfish Rice, Clams with Garlic and Chili Peppers, Grilled Octopu, and Salmon with Sweet Potato Puree and Spinach.

From the pasta menu: Nero Risotto with Squid and Prawns, Sautéed Linguini with Olive Oil, Garlic and Prawns, Shrimp and Asparagus Risotto, Linguini With Octopus, Olive Oil, Thyme and Garlic.

...and last but certainly not least, the steak from the meat menu. We order the mustard sauce option, and will try to try the pepper and/or the mushroom sauce next time...but as mentioned already, this was the best steak we have ever had in Portugal, so may not want to mess with a good thing. (We've been to Portugal a dozen times and love steak.)

ZERT: I cannot name all the desserts we had but they were all excellent and we were really impressed that UVA makes their own ice cream, and it is excellent.

And it cannot go without saying that UVA also have an excellent port wine selection (Calem also owns Barros, Burmester, and Kopke) and Carla have me no grief for wanting a half dozen different glasses to drink with my lunch.

Althogh it may look a bit tourist from the outside, because the walls of the restaurant are glass from top to bottom, it makes people watching on one side and river watching on the other (with the incredible view of Porto and the Luis I bridge in the background) an extra treat.

However, it the service at UVA that puts this place over the top! Carla, Stephanie, and Gustavo were all top notch and made the experience special. Carla was all smiles and seemed to be having the best time, even with all our silly touristy questions, and her attitude was infectious. And Stephanie remembered us from our last visit two years ago! We lead food and drink tours and both tour visits required some last minute changes and Stephanie was very accommodating and made sure everything went well off without a hitch. She really made me look good. These two deserve a raise because they really make guests feel well taken care of. And this is really saying something considering our tour visits three Michelin starred restaurants as well as half a dozen other high end eateries. For such a touristy area one would not expect to have such genuine service as these two give.

UVA is a Porto/Gaia favorite and although a fluke during our first tour, has earned a permanent spot on all future tours, as well as topping my wife and my list of restaurants (and port tastings) that we plan to visit every time we are in Porto (and Vila...

A Truly Unforgettable Dining Experience at Uva, Porto

From the moment we stepped into Uva, perched beautifully along the Douro River, I knew we were in for something special. This charming Portuguese restaurant is the perfect blend of modern elegance and traditional warmth, offering both an unforgettable view and an extraordinary culinary experience.

I had the pleasure of celebrating my dad's 60th birthday here, and Uva exceeded every expectation. The location, with its stunning view of the Douro River, provided the perfect backdrop for such a special occasion. As we settled in, the atmosphere felt instantly inviting and relaxed, but the real magic came from the staff.

Carla, our waitress, was nothing short of exceptional. From the first moment we met her, it was clear she had a genuine passion for both the food and the guests. She offered thoughtful recommendations on the menu and even made sure to personalize our experience with a few special touches for the birthday celebration. It felt like she truly cared about making the evening perfect for us. She went above and beyond, not only with her impeccable service but with her warmth and genuine kindness. Every detail, from the pacing of the meal to her attentive presence, was perfectly executed.

The highlight, of course, was the food. The dishes were beautifully crafted, with the freshest ingredients and the boldest, most delicious flavors. Every bite felt like a celebration of Portuguese cuisine, from the perfectly cooked seafood to the rich, flavorful meats. The blend of traditional techniques with a modern twist created a dining experience that was both comforting and exciting.

But it wasn’t just the food and service that made the evening so memorable—it was also the hospitality. Maria Silva, the manager, took the time to come over and personally wish us well. Her warmth and attentiveness made us feel like we were part of the Uva family. It was the kind of service that turns a great meal into an unforgettable memory.

If you’re looking for a dining experience that combines stunning views, outstanding food, and impeccable service, Uva is the place to go. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to enjoy a fantastic meal, this restaurant delivers on every level. Thank you, Carla and Maria, for making my dad’s 60th birthday truly exceptional—we will...

We had a great evening at UVA which was marred by payment issues at the end (see below for food review). When we presented our US-based credit card for payment, the waiter chose payment in USD despite our specifically stating we wanted to be charged in euros. When we got the receipt we saw the charge was in USD, along with a 5% service charge. When we protested he tried to tell us that it had charged in euros, even though it was quite clear from the receipt it was in dollars. A more senior waiter tried to tell us the same thing, until we showed them the receipt which clearly showed the charge in dollars.

This is called Dynamic Currency Conversion and it is a scam by merchants and credit card processors to squeeze more money out of you. You can Google it to learn more, but basically the merchant gets a kickback from the credit card processor, who charges 5% (or more) over the interbank conversion rate if you choose your home currency. By VISA and MC rules the cardholder is supposed to be shown the conversion rate and given the option of choosing local currency or home currency, but if the merchant doesn’t hand you the POS terminal, you aren’t aware of what is happening until after you get back to your home country and get your bill. By then it is too late.

It’s a shame that a restaurant associated with a reputable port house would resort to these tactics. So if you pay by credit card, make sure it is your hands on the POS terminal and not theirs…

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Dining review: UVA has perhaps the best piece of real estate in Gaia, with outside tables right on the Douro river and a lovely inside dining room with fabulous views of the river and Porto. Our dinner was very good with artistic presentations, good food and really excellent service. Add the amazing setting on a sunny evening and it really doesn’t get much better. So I was really disappointed when they screwed us on the currency conversion because until then it was a...