Caminha sits at the mouth of the Minho, which means river fish on the menu — particularly lamprey (lampreia) in late winter and shad (sável) in spring. The local treatment of lamprey is a thick, dark rice dish (arroz de lampreia) which is heavy but excellent in the cold months. Outside lamprey season, look for grilled river bass, monkfish rice, and the local bacalhau à minhota (salt cod with onions and potatoes).
Restaurants line the riverside and the streets around the main square. Most are family-run and prices are well below those in Porto or Viana do Castelo. The lunch menu do dia — usually a soup, a fish or meat plate, a drink, and coffee — is excellent value.