In 2013, the small northern Portuguese town of Paredes received a special guest, when Diego Armando Maradona showed up in this charming town. Maradona’s visit to Paredes, which is a 35 minutes drive from Porto, was unannounced and became one of the biggest highlights in the history of this small town. On top of that, Maradona even had dinner in a small countryside restaurant.
Maradona’s visit at Cozinha da Terra
Located in Louredo, a quiet village surrounded by greenery, the restaurant Cozinha da Terra is far away from your typical tourist hotspot. The restaurant is run by chef Teresa Ruão who is known for her refined interpretations on traditional Portuguese dishes. Besides that, the restaurant only accepts reservations and no walk-ins. But why did Maradona visit this small restaurant?
Photo from Expresso.pt
It all began with a call from Jorge Mendes, Maradona’s host and one of the world’s top football agents. Mendes asked the then-mayor of Paredes, Celso Ferreira, to book the entire restaurant and bring in a TV to watch the Champions League. No one knew that the “special guest” was the World Cup-winning Argentine star himself.
Maradona enjoyed Portuguese food
Maradona arrived later than expected, because of a spontaneous shopping trip for warm clothes. However, everyone in Paredes was stunned when he stepped out of the car. Over the course of the evening, he enjoyed local specialties like duck rice, veal and the house-famous bacalhau inside bread. Between the courses, he entertained the room by balancing tennis balls on his forehead and even sang “La Mano de Dios” — a song written about him.
Photo from Instagram @cozinhadaterra.pt
As a tribute, he even received a miniature designer chair which symbolizes Paredes’ furniture-making heritage. That gift later inspired a charity design project involving local artisans and international designers.
Cozinha da Terra: Secret restaurant tip in Portugal
Today, the story of Maradona’s surprise dinner at Cozinha da Terra has become a local legend. For travelers who are looking for authentic culinary experiences and hidden gems in Portugal, this unique restaurant in Paredes is a must-visit. For more culinary tips and places, have a look at our food category.
Cover photo from website cozinhadaterra.pt
