2 Best Restaurants in Arouca, Coimbra and Central Portugal

Inside the cloisters of a restored former monastery (now a luxury hotel), the 2025-opened Heritage 1220 Restaurant is a sophisticated take on traditional Arouca cuisine. Inspired by the legacy of Infanta Santa Mafalda, daughter of King Sancho I, who in 1220 brought prestige to the Monastery of Arouca by joining as a nun and converting it to the wealthy Cistercian Order. The kitchen team is made up of local chefs, skilled at elevating the region's traditional comfort food.

This central Arouca restaurant specializes in generous portions of regional dishes, particularly the famous posta arouquesa (local veal steak). The attentive staff serve hearty traditional meals at reasonable prices in a welcoming atmosphere. Reservations are essential on weekends when it gets packed. The menu features excellent grilled meats, fresh fish, and house-made desserts, all served in portions that ensure no one leaves hungry.