RC – Restaurante since 1894, in the Forrester Building
One hundred and thirty years of Portuguese cuisine, Fado and preserved Art Nouveau in the heart of Porto's Ribeira — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
About us
Who we are: the story of RC Restaurante since 1894
RC – Restaurante, formerly known as Restaurante Commercial, was founded in 1894 by Manuel Recarey Antelo, a chef of Spanish origin, in the historic Forrester Building on Rua do Infante Dom Henrique, in Porto's Ribeira.
Opened as a refined space for dining and wine tasting, the restaurant was for decades frequented by prominent figures from Porto's social, political and cultural life.
The house keeps its original Art Nouveau décor and architecture fully intact — one of the most famous and best-preserved examples of this movement in Portugal — from the flooring and chandeliers to the stained-glass windows and the boiserie. In 2024, RC celebrates 130 years of Portuguese cuisine served in the same building, within Porto's Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Our story
More than a century at the table
From the Restaurante Comercial of 1894 to the RC of today, the many lives of a listed house in Porto's Ribeira.
The Forrester Building
The Forrester Building and the legacy of Baron Forrester
The building that houses RC once belonged to Baron Forrester — an essential figure in the history of Port wine, responsible for expanding its trade across the world during the 19th century. Before becoming a restaurant, it was his residence.
Today, the space continues to honour this connection between Porto, wine and hospitality: RC's wine list features an exceptional selection of Port wines and carefully chosen Portuguese labels.
Arte nouveau
130 years of Art Nouveau in the centre of Porto
Values and strengths
What defines RC Restaurante
130
Years of History
In the same building, with original décor
Daily
Fish & Seafood
Traditional cuisine from the north and south of the country
Fado
Every Night
Live, with renowned performers
UNESCO
Historic Centre
World Heritage, in the heart of Porto
Curated
Wine List
Port wines and Portuguese labels