Is a reservation absolutely necessary for Cantina32 in Porto?

According to an article, reservations are required for Cantina32, but online booking is not available. For tourists, making a phone reservation might be difficult, so if you have a long stay in Portugal, you could ask your hotel desk for assistance.

What are Cantina32's operating hours and closing days in Porto?

Cantina32 operates from Monday to Thursday from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM. On Fridays and Saturdays, it operates from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM. It is closed on Sundays.

Aside from the octopus dish, what other menu items does Cantina32 recommend, and what should I be aware of when dining there?

Besides the octopus dish, the 'Portuguese squid and shrimp stew32' is also available and highly recommended with a chilled green wine. The restaurant interior might be warm as it seems there is no air conditioning. Also, while bread and olives are served without ordering, you will be charged for them.

Cantina32 Porto Review: Indulge in Famous Octopus Dishes…

Operating Hours

Mon - Thu: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM

6:30 PM - 10:00 PM

Fri - Sat: 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM

6:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Closed

Sundays

Reservations Required?

Yes, reservations are highly recommended

(Online reservations not available)

The entrance exudes a wonderful European charm. While there are outdoor tables available, the interior is surprisingly spacious, extending quite far back from what you might expect at the entrance.

I tried to make a reservation myself but couldn't find any online method. A quick check of the Google Maps Q&A suggested calling, which is quite a challenge for international tourists. If your stay in Porto is long, you might be able to ask your hotel concierge for assistance.

Fortunately, I arrived mid-way through their lunch service and was lucky enough to be seated right away without a wait.

2. Inside Cantina32

We were shown to our table. The restaurant was busy, but not completely packed. Since lunch service ends at 3:00 PM, arriving just before 2:00 PM meant some of the earlier diners had already left.

They served complimentary bread and olives as a starter. While you don't order the bread, it does appear on your bill—a common practice across many European restaurants that can sometimes surprise visitors.

I visited Porto in the summer of 2026, and I must say, the restaurant was incredibly warm. It felt like there was no air conditioning. Initially, I thought, 'Hmm, it's not very cool in here,' but as we ate, it just got hotter, making me want to finish quickly and leave.

It was almost like dining in an open-air restaurant without proper walls or cooling, a feeling some might associate with tropical climates.

3. Cantina32 Menu Recommendations

Most people come here specifically for the octopus dishes. We ordered one octopus dish, and since we wanted to try more, we also got the Portuguese squid and shrimp stew32! And of course, a bottle of refreshing Vinho Verde (green wine).

The squid and shrimp stew arrived before the octopus. They first placed a bowl with the ingredients, then poured in the broth separately. It was a rich, flavorful broth full of squid essence, though it was a tad on the salty side.

I had been craving a hearty stew, so it was satisfying, but its warmth definitely contributed to the already high temperature in the restaurant.

There was a piece of bread in the middle of the stew, and honestly, I'm still not quite sure of its purpose. It tasted simply like bread soaked in broth.

Next came the star of the show: the whole grilled octopus.

One grilled octopus with roasted tomatoes

This octopus dish was truly delicious, and the accompanying onions added a wonderful touch. The roasted whole tomatoes were an interesting addition, and the vibrant yellow side dish was a sweet potato, which was incredibly tasty—almost the color of a pumpkin!

I was fortunate to dine without waiting, but I noticed others often waited for a considerable amount of time. While it's a good restaurant, I wouldn't say it's so extraordinary that it's worth sacrificing a significant portion of your precious travel time. A wait of about 20 minutes or less would be perfectly acceptable.

The staff were neither exceptionally friendly nor unfriendly; they were simply efficient.

Even though it's not pictured, I highly recommend pairing your meal with a chilled bottle of Vinho Verde. It's not expensive, and its crisp, refreshing qualities are absolutely perfect!

Wishing you all a delightful trip to Porto!