PORTO BY IRINA NESTERENKO

Little Black Book of Porto : Irina Nesterenko’s Guide

Irina Nesterenko is a Porto-based designer and the creative mind behind MAD COWBOY. With a background in 3D design and a love for the absurd, she creates bold, sculptural accessories for those who treat fashion as art. Moreover, she designs with the planet in mind, using sustainable materials and slow production methods.

What’s your best restaurant in Porto and why?

Época Porto – Rua do Rosário 22, Porto, Portugal 4050-519

It’s tiny, honest, beautiful, and their sourdough bread is addictive.

Your favourite bar and why?

Capela Incomum – 79-81, Travessa do Carregal 77, Tv. do Carregal 81, 4050-167 Porto, Portugal

It’s a wine bar inside a 19th-century chapel.

A name of an area you love in Porto ?

Praia das Pedras Amarelas 

I love walking there by the ocean. It’s wild, peaceful, and feels like the edge of the world.

A gallery you always go to in this town?

Museu Serralves – R. Dom João de Castro 210, 4150-417 Porto, Portugal

Indeed, my favorite contemporary art gallery, with an incredible, huge park on its grounds. I go there for both the exhibitions and the peaceful garden walks.

Your favorite shop in Porto ?

Humana Vintage – R. de Alexandre Braga 134, 4000-511 Porto, Portugal

Indeed, I love hunting for treasures in vintage shops, and Humana is perfect for that. I always hope to find an original vintage blazer or some quirky accessories hiding on the racks.

Where can we find you on a Saturday night?

Most of the time, surely at home with my family, ordering pizza and watching a good movie. But sometimes you might find me by the river, eating fries with friends. It really depends on the mood.

It’s Sunday in this town, what are you doing?

On Sundays, I love escaping the city and exploring places I’ve never been before — it’s my favorite way to reset and find new inspiration.

Just recently, I stumbled upon an incredible hidden spot near Porto: a small paper museum located on the site of Portugal’s first recycled paper factory, which was actually founded by a woman over 200 years ago. It’s these kinds of unexpected finds that keep me curious.

Describe where you go to find some peace and quiet.

Jardim Botânico do Porto, of course, hidden inside the Museu de História Natural e da Ciência. It’s one of my favorite quiet spots in the city — lush, a little wild, and never too crowded. Indeed, I love wandering through the old greenhouses and sitting by the ponds. It feels like stepping into a secret garden.

Name one thing you absolutely must do when you come to this town.

Get lost in Bolhão, surely, the beating heart of Porto. It’s chaotic, raw, and full of life. Between the old market, traditional bakeries, and tiny shops, you’ll feel the real, unpolished side of the city. It’s not perfect — and that’s exactly why I love it.

THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK SERIES

The Little Black Book series is your insider’s guide to cities around the world — told by the people who actually live there. Whether it’s a designer, a creative, or the local cool kid, each guide goes beyond the obvious. Instead of sticking to tourist traps, it dives into real neighborhoods, side streets, and hidden gems. You’ll also find secret spots in London, Paris, New York, and everywhere in between. The Little Black Book goes down the alleyways so you don’t have to. It heads south of the river, to the Rive Gauche, and beyond — discovering places only locals know. Moreover, it’s not just about where to go, but why it matters. In short, it’s a guide written by insiders, for curious travelers who want the real story.

If you think you know your hometown better than us. Or you think we should know about a place. Email info@irkmagazine.com We’re all ears.

Want more ? Take a look at Irina’s NESTERENKO Interview : MAD COWBOY : Meet The Founder Irina Nesterenko