A late afternoon in a brief, well-chosen trip: great wine, perfectly cooked meat and one of Porto’s most iconic areas as backdrop.
Arriving in Ribeira later in the afternoon, we understand why this area is so popular. There are boats sailing up and down the Douro, tourists and locals sharing the same promenade, the sound of the cafés blending conversations. Instead of trying to cram as much as possible into a single late afternoon, it’s better to have a simple, well-considered plan for an idyllic end to the day: start with a drink at Vinology and then dinner at RIB – Beef & Wine.
The plan is to concentrate on fewer but better-chosen endeavours. A wine bar at Pestana Vintage Porto that takes wine quite seriously; dinner at RIB – Beef & Wine which has a very clear concept; and the Ribeira area as a meaningful scenario. Those looking for a late afternoon and evening with special content – a good wine list, top meat dishes, consistent service and a location that needs few introductions – will find here a full set.
Late afternoon at Vinology
Perfectly located, overlooking the city’s riverside, the Vinology Wine Bar is a real winner. From the windows, we see the river Douro bend and the outline of the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia; inside, the lighting is deliberately low, which helps people refocus their attention on the table, wine and conversation. The idea is to create a haven in one of the busiest parts of the city, focussed on wine and on those who appreciate it.
The wine list, which is divided into regions and styles, leans towards Portuguese references, with room for classic producers and smaller projects. Instead of an endless wine list, we find a careful selection with by-the-glass options, which was created for those who wish to try a new wine without committing themselves to an entire bottle. For those discovering the country’s wines, it’s a useful spot to learn the differences between Douro, Dão, Alentejo and Vinhos Verdes, served with no feeling of imposition from a team that knows the stories behind the different labels.
The petiscos (a Portuguese word for tapas) have been created to pair with the wine. There are Spanish pinchos, Portuguese cheese and charcuterie boards, small hot and cold dishes, and options that will make you wish you had stayed longer at the Vinology Wine Bar, if that’s your plan.
This late afternoon at the Vinology Wine Bar is also a way of getting to know the Pestana Vintage Porto from within. This 5-star hotel in downtown Porto occupies centuries-old buildings with plenty of history, and the bar boasts some architectural features to confirm it, from the stone walls to the spans, which were adapted to the requirements of a modern hotel. Those who stay here enjoy the advantage of proximity: it’s just one floor to get to the bar, without being dependent on the weather or the hubbub of the Ribeira. Those who visit soon realise why this hotel is one of the historic district’s landmarks – for both tourists and locals, who enjoy the common spaces and get the same feeling: that of being at home.
Dinner at RIB – Beef & Wine
After the wine, the trip to RIB – Beef & Wine is a short one: the restaurant is in the same building as the hotel. The RIB’s name itself reflects its concept: meat and wine with a contemporary twist, in a place that intends to strike a balance between the buildings’ heritage and a modern interior design.
The menu focusses on different beef cuts, with different maturations and origins. The house specialities are premium cuts of matured meats (like Tomahawk, Rib Eye and Chateaubriand). Real attention is paid to cooking times, its texture and presentation. In addition to the meat, there are various starters designed to be shared, such as the veal carpaccio with cured cheese shavings, beef loin tartar or the creamy meat croquettes. There are also alternatives for those who prefer fish or something lighter, and a menu of desserts that justifies extending the meal.
The wine selection keeps the connection to the experience that started at the Vinology Wine Bar. Although the RIB has its own list, there’s a certain coherence in the way the wine is handled, an attention to detail and explanation. This link sets RIB apart from other Porto restaurants of this style, and it’s useful, both for those who already know what they want, as well as for those less familiar with the terminology.
