We were out for a walk and feeling hungry, so we stopped off at Bar Douro, the Portuguese Restaurant near London Bridge, for lunch. Portuguese restaurants aren’t known for their vegetarian food, but we noticed enough on the menu to satisfy our hunger. Besides, my partner ate seafood and was keen to try this eatery. I must say that the meal was of a high standard, with excellent ingredients and flavour, so we were glad we’d given it a go. If you’re searching for the best places for business lunches in SE1, Portuguese restaurants near London Bridge or Southwark Bridge Road, you’ll love Bar Douro.
“With an alfresco dining patio and plenty of quality fish, meat and veggie dishes along with the best Portuguese cheeses and wines, it feels as though you’re on a luxury holiday,” Homegirl London.
Bar Douro Portuguese Menu
We started our meal with two Snapery Bakery sourdough slices each and Bar Douro olive oil.
My partner chose salt cod fritters from the snacks section and said it was one of the best starters he’s ever tasted. He looked delighted while he enjoyed every mouthful of the battered fish.
We ordered every dish from the garden list, which was all fantastic. The first to arrive was the Algarvian spiced heritage carrots which were perfectly roasted and sweet tasting.
Next were the butter beans, leeks and cured egg yolk. It was hearty and rustic, and we talked about how we would try to recreate this dish at home. We’ve just ordered leeks in our Able and Cole box and a tin of butter beans, so we’re looking forward to attempting something similar.
The asparagus with wild garlic and homemade Requeijão (loose ricotta-like cheese) was a gorgeous green colour with a fresh and delicate taste.
We also tried garlic-punched potatoes. It was a large helping, but we managed to eat them all!
The cheese board sounded impressive, and we were on the cusp of ordering it, but we were told about a cow’s cheese special with tomato jam and croutons. Thankfully we went for this option because the cheese board would have been too much. If we return, I will try the cheeseboard.
If you want to eat fish, you can choose from salt cod hash, marinated mackerel, garlic prawns, seabass, and mussel feijoada (bean stew). Meat eaters may like the pork neck and bifana sauce, onglet steak with onion and bone marrow, Presa Iberica or the lamb rump.
Although full, we squeezed in a pastel de nata (custard tart) with a lovely cinnamon ice cream. The other desserts were a caramel mousse, egg yolk pudding with lemon sorbet or ice cream.
I thought the price of our meal was reasonable considering the quality. To give you an idea of prices, the snacks cost £5-15, vegetable dishes are £4.50-11, seafood and fish £8-15, meat £13-16, cheese board £13 and desserts £5-7. We weren’t drinking, but you’re in the right place if you want a tipple because Max, the restaurant owner, comes from a wine-producing family in the Douro Valley, hence the restaurant’s name. You can also explore the Portuguese port selection and the spirits and liquors.
Bar Douro London Bridge Information
To find out more, visit the Bar Douro Website. The restaurant address is Arch 35B, 85B Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 0NQ. It’s in an area known as the Southwark Quarter. The closest stations are London Bridge, Borough and Blackfriars. The restaurant is inside a railway arch. The interiors have an industrial feel, with the bar decorated in traditional blue and white Portuguese tiles. You’ll find a covered seating area and a few barrels with stools outside in the courtyard. It’s the perfect setting for a cosy lunch with your favourite friend, a business lunch or somewhere for quality food and wine in the evening. I recommend that you book a table to avoid disappointment.
If you want to explore the area, you may be interested in these articles:
Best Restaurants In Southwark Quarter
Red Cross Garden Bde London SE1
Backstreets of Bankside Historical Building Tour
Ten Unusual Things To Do In Bankside
Ten Tourist Things To Do In Bankside
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about restaurants where I had a good experience. I recommend that you undertake further research as restaurant standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please check if the restaurant is still in business and the opening times before you go. If you discover this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.
