This article is not sponsored. We paid for the meal in full and, as always, all opinions are our own. When I truly love a place, I like to share it.

Some dinners are just about satisfying your hunger. And then there are those that turn a simple meal into an experience you never forget. That’s exactly what we experienced at RENATA Restaurant & Terrace, in Vila Nova de Gaia, where we went to celebrate my husband’s birthday a few days ago.

We booked through TheFork and managed to take advantage of the 30% discount from TheFork Fest. If you are thinking of trying this restaurant, make the most of it, because this campaign runs until early October. It’s a premium experience that goes far beyond the food and one that, in my opinion, is well worth having at least once.

From Dona Maria to RENATA

Before it was called RENATA Restaurant & Terrace, this space was known as Dona Maria. For around five years, the restaurant stood out for its traditional Portuguese cuisine, with recipes inspired by an old recipe book attributed to Queen Maria I. The change came with the transformation of the hotel into what is now the Forte de Gaia, Autograph Collection, in 2025. The restaurant gained a new name, a new identity and a more contemporary approach, while always keeping its ties to the roots of Portuguese cuisine. RENATA is said to be a kind of descendant of Dona Maria, a “daughter of the Douro and of Porto” born with the desire to honour tradition while bringing a new energy and a fresh take on Portuguese gastronomy.

Now led by chef Nuno Ferraz, RENATA offers reinvented Portuguese cuisine, “as the starting point for a journey through the Portuguese-speaking world, where the flavours are familiar but never obvious”. The result is an elegant restaurant where tradition is still present, but with a touch of modernity that can be felt in every detail, from the wine-inspired décor to the choice of dishes and the care taken with the plating.

My experience

RENATA Restaurant & Terrace is set within the Forte de Gaia, Autograph Collection, right by Cais de Gaia, with a privileged view over Porto’s Ribeira. We left the cars at the Parque SABA Beira Rio car park, practically next to the entrance of the hotel and the restaurant. We had a reservation for 8 p.m. and, when we arrived, our table was already set and waiting for us.

We chose to sit on the terrace and I don’t think we could have made a better choice. The temperature was perfect for dining outdoors, there was no fog and the view was completely clear. One of those nights when the setting becomes part of the experience even before the food reaches the table. Even though it was a weekday, the terrace was nicely busy, with most of the tables taken. The atmosphere was elegant yet relaxed, almost like a kind of informal formality, where we felt special while still feeling completely at ease.

Cristina and her husband on the RENATA terrace, with the tiled rooftops and old town of Porto behind, on a sunny dayRENATA's signature cocktail, pink with white foam, an edible flower and raspberry crumble, resting on the restaurant's gold menuThree women seated at the table on the RENATA terrace, smiling, with the table set and a waiter in the backgroundThe group of six at the long table on the RENATA terrace, with drinks and bread on the table and Porto behind

To start the evening, we ordered some cocktails right away. Our parents went for the classic Aperol Spritz, while we decided to try the house signature cocktail, called RENATA, made with a vodka base. Throughout dinner, we paired the meal with wine and a jug of sangria. I stuck with the sangria and it was really good, perfect to go with a summer night on the terrace. For wine lovers, RENATA’s list is also worth a mention. It’s fairly extensive, with options for different tastes and budgets, and it even comes with the help of a sommelier to guide you to the best choice if you’re in doubt.

But let’s get to what really matters: the food.

We started with the couvert, which included two types of sourdough bread: one wholewheat and another with carob and raisins, served with olive oil and salt. For me, bread is life, and when it comes with good olive oil, you’re already off to a great start. For starters, we chose the Croquetes de Leitão Nacional (suckling pig croquettes) and the Iscas de Bacalhau Nórdico (Nordic cod). Both starters were very good, but the highlight goes, without a doubt, to the croquettes, which had a crispy texture on the outside and a really tasty filling of shredded suckling pig.

For the main courses, everyone chose according to their taste and we ended up ordering the Arroz de Mar (seafood rice) for four people, a Ribeye Minhota and a Bife de Lombo “Autóctone” Nacional à Portuguesa (Portuguese-style sirloin). All the dishes were excellent and the portions were quite generous. I’ll give special mention to the seafood rice, because it was my choice and it was simply superb. It had fresh fish and seafood, with that intense taste of the sea and a slightly soupy texture that, for me, made all the difference. And if there’s one thing I can’t fail to highlight about this meal, it’s the dessert. We chose the Pastel de Nata RENATA and I can say it was one of the best desserts I can remember eating, and bear in mind that earlier that same day I’d had lunch at Yakuza by Olivier, in Porto, where I finished with a Kit Kat dessert that was also incredible. It’s a simple dessert, but beautifully done: a reinvented custard tart, with filo pastry, salted caramel and cinnamon ice cream, where the combination of flavours is perfectly balanced.

Another of the highlights of this experience was the service. I’d like to give a special thank you to Miguel Sousa, Restaurant Manager at RENATA, who, together with his whole team, looked after us throughout the meal with great warmth and professionalism. As we were celebrating my husband’s birthday, the team realised it was a special occasion (I think the various calls he kept getting during dinner gave them a little hint 😅) and, at the end of the meal, they surprised us with a slice of cake with a candle so we could sing him happy birthday. A simple gesture, but one that made the night even more memorable. To end the night in style, Miguel was also kind enough to offer to take some family photos for us and show us a little more of the restaurant, including the event rooms and some details of the restaurant’s décor.

The suckling pig croquettes, golden and crispy, topped with a leaf and served with rocketThe Nordic cod fritters, golden, topped with coriander and set over roasted peppersThe Arroz de Mar served in a pan, soupy, with prawns and pieces of fresh fishThe Ribeye Minhota, grilled, with potato gratin and green asparagus, on the terrace at dusk
The Bife de Lombo 'Autóctone' Nacional à Portuguesa, coated in a dark, glossy sauce, with broccoli and potato, served on the terraceThe dessert: RENATA's reinvented custard tart, in crispy filo pastry, with cinnamon ice cream and salted caramelThe birthday boy looking at the slice of cake with a lit candle, at the happy birthday moment, at nightThe group of six on the RENATA terrace at night, with the city of Porto lit up across the Douro

By the end of the experience, we were all left with the same feeling: RENATA Restaurant & Terrace was worth every euro. It’s not a restaurant you go to simply for dinner - it’s one of those places where every detail helps create a memory. The view, the food, the atmosphere and, above all, the way we were welcomed made this birthday dinner a very special night. Because there are moments when a meal stops being just a meal and becomes an experience you never forget. 🩷