As vegetarians, we didn't expect much. We knew this was the heart of traditional Porto and we had come for the fado anyway. On a very warm early February Tuesday we arrived early (fado starts at 4 every Tuesday) and, with the help of an...English-speaking Portuguese couple, managed to order a non-meat lunch (egg/chips/rice/bread basket/salad) for 4.50 euros each, with beer at 1 euro a 33cl bottle.A wonderful spot, to sit out, looking down the Douro, with local custumers coming and going, and the prospective singers adding their names to madame's order-of-play list. We assumed we would be able hear the fado while sitting outside. How wrong we were! True fado is acoustic. So a quick move to get inside. We should have taken heed of previous reviewers. You can't get past the followers in the doorway! Anyway, the interior is of domestic proportions only! We eventually scrambled through to the back, in front of the gents' toilet and stood in the melee. But wow! Was it worth it! Just so spontaneous and authentic...not all recordable quality but fado from the heart! What else is fado? So make your way there! Get inside early. Grab a seat in the front bar...anywhere...not round the corner at the back.....and sit...and order a few beers (or not, they don't keep pressing you...and wait...and take it all in. This is a unique cultural experience ...tapping the roots of ethnic music from the heart of the people.More

worth finding (use Uber)- full of locals and a few tourists, but authentic fado and cheap as chips. very friendly locals happy tp chat and explain and recommend food. A range of singers and musicians playing from 4pm gets crowded but if you wait you...can get a seat. seems to carry on after 7.30More

This small local gem was recommended by our AirBnb host. It is a bit out of the way but we were very glad we went. First off, if you want a table you need to arrive very early. By the time we got there the...place was packed. We squeezed in and found a spot at the bar as it was the only place left to stand. Servers were moving around us and people were ordering over us but none of the staff told us we had to move, they were very accommodating. You need to stand your ground if you want to see the show and we didn't walk all that way not to see it. Eventually some more space opened up at the bar. The place is very small and it got pretty warm but it was all worth it for the most local experience we had in Portugal. Amazing Fado singers with so much emotion and pride in their voices. It didn't matter that I didn't understand any of it as they took us on their journey regardless. The bartenders and staff were like well oiled machines pumping out simple but delicious food (like liver on a bun and cod croquettes) and a small glass of house wine was only 0.75 cents. This was as local as it gets. There was large British family that had come to watch but there was no room. This is not the place to come with a big group unless you arrive hours early. I would certainly recommend this Fado show as it is raw and local and there are no silly cover charges or drink minimums. We definitely spent our share though as we wanted to support this place.More