Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel Celebrates São João with a Special Menu

Source: Briefing

For some, it is the most festive night of the year; for others, it is all about reunions and long conversations. At Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel, however, São João is celebrated away from the crowds, yet close to the city’s historic center, where every detail is carefully planned. Located in the Lapa district, the hotel invites everyone to celebrate Porto’s most beloved saint with a themed buffet dinner featuring traditional Portuguese specialties essential to marking the city’s most iconic festival.

The culinary experience begins with a selection of Portuguese cheeses and charcuterie, Porto-style gizzards, traditional meat-filled bola bread, shrimp and suckling pig rissoles, codfish fritters, and Portuguese-style pork chunks. Next comes a variety of salads, ranging from simple to more elaborate and colorful options, featuring ingredients such as chickpeas, codfish and parsley, roasted peppers, or tuna, black-eyed peas, and red onion. Caldo verde with smoked sausage provides a comforting start before guests reach the grill station, home to the true stars of the evening: grilled sardines, chouriço, and pork belly, alongside Porto-style bifanas and beef sandwiches served on bolo do caco bread with garlic butter.

Before the sky fills with lanterns and colorful plastic hammers take center stage, there is still time for dessert. Highlights include vegan cocoa mousse, baba de camelo, almond tart, and orange tartlet. The true star, however, is the REN Basil Pot, a brand-new and exclusive creation designed for this occasion, combining chocolate and basil, with even the traditional festive banner featuring the famous Popular Saints verses being entirely edible.

The special São João dinner at Renaissance Porto Lapa Hotel begins at 7:00 PM and is priced at €60.00 per person, including a selection of beverages such as red and white wines, draft beer, soft drinks, juices, and water. Children up to 4 years old dine as guests of the hotel, while those aged 5 to 12 receive a 50% discount. Reservations can be made via email or by calling +351 916 876 093.