Bar Douro City

We’re a little forlorn that Bar Douro’s second site has set up shop in a slightly soulless location, flanked largely by office skyscrapers and luxury glass-fronted apartments. But perhaps that’s what makes this Portuguese gem so special, with its traditional blue and white tiles, marble table tops and laid-back atmosphere providing a welcome vibe change from the immediate outside world. Unlike its sister restaurant in London Bridge, the City outpost offers both counter and table seating perfect for relaxed business lunches (we certainly witnessed a few on our visit), as well as after work drinks.  

The menu is confidently concise and comprised entirely of small plates; there wasn’t a single dud dish of the nine that we ordered. Deep breath... Four rotund smoked sausage croquettes were soft and meaty and topped with blobs of aioli, while chunky sprigs of charred asparagus sat on a bed of homemade ricotta-like cheese with toasted almonds. The golden salt cod hash was a smile-inducing highlight: deep fried shards of potato were glossy with butter, and generously punctuated with flaky pieces of salt cod. Five plump prawns arrived in a pool of garlicky sauce that required bread for soaking up every last drop. Perfectly-cooked pork medallions with fresh peas and salty bacon were unbelievably tasty for so few ingredients, as were pink slices of onglet steak seasoned with bone marrow and served with sweet caramelised onions. A final word for a rather magnificent pastel de nata, which was still warm and spilled silky vanilla custard as we hungrily destroyed this perfect creation.  

Everything we ate was recommended to us by our friendly and knowledgeable waiter. Although, having tried almost exactly half the menu, we would confidently go out on a limb and say that anything you order here will be fantastic. At around £25 a head before drinks, it’s affordable too, but we do recommend treating yourself to a glass from the 100% Portuguese wine list. Call it a weekday treat.

Following the success of the original Bar Douro, tucked into one of Flat Iron Square’s railway arches near London Bridge, founder Max Graham has opened a second site, this time within the new 1 Finsbury Avenue development at Broadgate in the City. Graham brought his contemporary take on Portuguese cuisine, along with expertly sourced regional wines (including a knockout selection of port) to the capital in 2016 and has received plenty of praise for it ever since, so it’s not surprising that a second location within the largest pedestrianised neighbourhood in central London has come into being.

Located in a handsome Grade II-listed building, Bar Douro City’s design features include beautiful hand-painted Portuguese tiles, similar to those that adorn the counter of the original branch in Southwark, along with a statement marble counter imported from Portugal and a traditional mosaic floor made from hand-cut stone.

Counter dining allows guests to watch the magic happen in the open kitchen, though there are also plenty of conventional tables throughout the restaurant for more intimate dining. Bespoke bar stools and chairs produced by one of Portugal’s most famous furniture makers, Olaio, ensure diners are comfortable, while the addition of a sheltered outdoor terrace brings a European feel to proceedings.

Fans of the original Bar Douro will be pleased to hear that the new Square Mile location is also focused on small plates, with a menu running from petiscos (snacks) to pratinhos (small plates) and pratos (large plates). Assuming the sweet pastel de nata (traditional custard tarts) are as good here as they are at Flat Iron Square, we recommend finishing off your meal with one, along with a glass of Portuguese wine or port. The latter is especially interesting as Graham will be importing a variety of wines not currently available in the UK.