Lunch at DOC
DOC Restaurant
Address: Estrada Nacional 222, Folgosa, Douro Valley, Portugal
Phone: +351 254 858 123
DOC restaurant in the Douro Valley in Portugal is one of the best restaurants in the region, and indeed in the country.
A far cry from a traditional Portuguese restaurant, DOC is a contemporary, sleek establishment with a forward-thinking kitchen. The restaurant, which is open for lunch and dinner, serves tasting menus that feature the best regional, national, and international cuisine.
Starting with bread and olive oil, the meal moves on to amuse bouches, then to multiple courses of anything from octopus carpaccio to traditional salt cod and Mozambican prawns. Sorbet is served between the lighter and heavier courses, and meals are rounded out by meat courses. Those are followed by a stunning dessert tray that features chocolate lollipops and other fantastical fare.
The wine pairings are also top notch. DOC restaurant being in the Douro Valley, the wine list focuses on Portuguese wines and Ports. Indeed, many of the wines are Chef Rui Paula’s own, and they live up to his reputation as a gastronomic legend. His Quinta dos Avidagos Grande Reserva 2007 red wine is particularly worth tasting.
It’s not just the food and wine that impress at DOC restaurant, though. The ambiance is spectacular as well. The restaurant, which is housed in a sleek, box-like building right on the Douro River, has floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the surrounding vineyards. On warm days, there is a large terrace for al fresco dining.
Wherever you sit, you will not only enjoy your meal at DOC restaurant in the Douro Valley, but also be satisfied with the value for money it offers. Despite being of Michelin-star quality, the prices are refreshingly reasonable. As if you needed another reason to go back for a second visit.