The store
The Bem-Me-Quer restaurant is a family-run restaurant, known for its famous Braga-style codfish, and stands out for its regional cuisine, with traditional dishes from Minho.
Founded in 1953, this family-run restaurant, located at number 6 Campo das Hortas, is famous for its Bacalhau à Bem-Me-Quer.
History
It was founded in 1953 by Joaquina Maria Soares Gomes, who acquired the lease of the old Côrtes pasture house, located at no. 5 Campo das Hortas. It wasn't easy to manage the establishment at a time marked by the 1939 Code of Civil Procedure, which forbade women the right to trade, manage property and enter into contracts without their husband's supervision. However, with the support of a canon, the determined lady managed to get guardianship of the space, starting a process that would result in one of the most famous restaurants in the city of Braga. She learned from Eugénia, the owner and cook of the legendary Narcisa Restaurant, the recipe for 'bacalhau à Narciso', locally known as 'à Braga' cod and, giving it a personal touch, created a new recipe which she called 'bacalhau à Bem-Me-Quer'.
In 1953, Joaquina Maria Soares Gomes took over the Côrtes pasture house, located at no. 5 Campo das Hortas. It wasn't easy running the establishment, as the 1939 Code of Civil Procedure forbade women the right to trade, manage property and sign contracts without their husband's guardianship. D. Joaquina obtained guardianship from a canon and began a process that would result in one of Braga's most famous restaurants. She learned the recipe for 'bacalhau à Narcisa', locally known as 'à Braga' cod, from Eugénia, the owner and cook of the legendary Narcisa Restaurant, and gave it a personal touch by calling it 'bacalhau à Bem-Me-Quer'.
After his death in 1980, Maria Irene Oliveira took over the establishment. In the early 1990s, she married José Dias, who had experience in marketing hotel products. The couple had three children, José António, Ana Joaquina and Maria Francisca, all of whom are now part of the establishment.
In addition to the Bem-me-quer codfish, the restaurant is known for its 'papas de sarrabulho à moda de Braga', lamprey, roast kid (from Cabreira and Gerês), grilled octopus with potatoes and sprouts and duck rice, which does not dispense with the succulent Bisaro pork in its preparation. As for sweets, the abbot's pudding and the golden soup stand out
The restaurant has already been awarded best restaurant in the Vinhos do Tejo in 2014 and won silver in the V Concurso de Vinhos Verdes e Gastronomia in 2011 and 2012 in the traditional cuisine category.
Products and services
Restaurant with various traditional Portuguese dishes. Specialty: Bem-me-quer codfish.
Contact
Phone: 253 262 095
Email: rest.bemmequer@hotmail.com
