There are few locations we’ve explored which might be as a lot of a feast for the senses as Portugal. We spent two full months touring all the nation, from the sun-drenched seafood eating places of the Algarve to the historic coronary heart of Guimarães within the north. Our mission was easy: to eat the whole lot.
We tried meals from tiny tascas in Lisbon, seaside grills serving the freshest catch, and family-run spots deep within the countryside. This information is the results of that scrumptious journey. It’s our assortment of the normal Portuguese dishes that you just need to strive, primarily based on our firsthand expertise of consuming our method throughout the nation.
Conventional Portuguese Meals at a Look
If you happen to’re quick on time, listed here are our prime picks that can assist you resolve what to eat first.
- Should-Attempt Dishes: Pastel de Nata, Bifana, Grilled Sardines, Caldo Verde.
- Finest Seafood: Bacalhau, Cataplana de Marisco, Polvo à Lagareiro.
- Finest Meat Dishes: Francesinha, Leitão Assado (Suckling Pig), Porco Preto.
- Should-Attempt Drinks: Vinho Verde, Ginjinha.
1. Pastel de Nata (Custard Tarts)
You possibly can’t speak about conventional Portuguese delicacies with out beginning right here. These bite-sized egg custard tarts are a nationwide treasure. The pastry is impossibly flaky, shattering the second you chunk into it, giving technique to a heat, creamy custard centre. They’re usually served with a sprinkle of cinnamon on prime.
Dave & Deb’s Take: We’ve eaten extra of those than we will depend, and our rule is easy: eat them heat, ideally standing proper outdoors the bakery. Whereas there are well-known spots in Lisbon, nearly each native pastelaria has a implausible model. It’s the proper companion to a morning espresso.
2. Bacalhau (Salt Cod)
Bacalhau isn’t only a fish; it’s a Portuguese obsession. It’s mentioned there are greater than 365 methods to arrange this dried and salted cod—one for every single day of the 12 months. Traditionally, it was the meals that sustained sailors on lengthy voyages, however right now it’s a beloved staple present in the whole lot from easy fish muffins to elaborate casseroles. WE actually received a great style of it once we had been up in Guimaraes. What wonderful meals scene.
Dave & Deb’s Take: If you happen to’re new to bacalhau, one of the best introduction is Bacalhau à Brás. It’s a typical Portuguese dish of shredded cod blended with onions, scrambled eggs, and thinly fried potatoes. It’s scrumptious, not too fishy, and an ideal technique to expertise Portugal’s nationwide dish.
3. Bifana (Pork Sandwich)
The Bifana is Portugal’s reply to the proper sandwich. It’s easy, low cost, and extremely satisfying. The sandwich consists of skinny slices of pork marinated in garlic, white wine, and spices, served on a delicate, recent bread roll. It’s the final word Portuguese consolation meals.
Dave & Deb’s Take: The most effective Bifanas we’ve had are from tiny, no-frills spots the place you possibly can hear the pork scorching on the griddle. Don’t be shy with the mustard, a squeeze of it cuts by way of the richness of the pork completely. It’s the perfect low cost and cheerful lunch.
4. Grilled Sardines (Sardinhas Assadas)
Freshly grilled sardines are a juicy, easy pleasure and a staple of Portuguese delicacies. Traditionally a dish of the decrease lessons as a consequence of their affordability, they’re now a beloved snack or gentle lunch throughout the nation. The key is the slow-grilling over charcoal, which retains the fish moist and filled with flavour.
Dave & Deb’s Take: The most effective sardines we’ve ever had had been from a tiny, no-name grill arrange on a facet road within the Alfama district of Lisbon through the St. Anthony Pageant in June. The entire neighbourhood smelled of grilled fish and charcoal. You eat them together with your fingers, putting the sardine on a slice of bread to take in the juices. Don’t be afraid to get messy; it’s all a part of the expertise.
5. Piri-Piri Hen
That is one in all Portugal’s most well-known culinary exports, and for good purpose. It’s a lot extra than simply the model you discover at chain eating places. Genuine Portuguese Piri-Piri rooster is spatchcocked, marinated in a flavourful mixture of chili, garlic, olive oil, and lemon, after which grilled over charcoal till the pores and skin is crispy and the meat is extremely juicy.
Dave & Deb’s Take: Each restaurant has its personal secret Piri-Piri sauce recipe, and a part of the enjoyable is attempting totally different variations. We discovered one of the best spots are often unassuming, native locations with an enormous charcoal grill out entrance. It’s usually served with easy fries and a primary salad, which is all it’s worthwhile to accompany the star of the present.
6. Caldo Verde (Inexperienced Soup)
Caldo Verde is the final word Portuguese consolation meals. This warming and flavourful soup originates from the northern Minho area however is now discovered on menus all throughout the nation. It’s a easy, rustic soup constituted of potatoes, thinly shredded collard greens (or kale), and slices of smoky chouriço sausage, all introduced along with a beneficiant drizzle of olive oil.
Dave & Deb’s Take: This was our go-to starter on cool evenings in Porto. It’s hearty with out being heavy, and the mix of the earthy greens and the smoky sausage is ideal. It’s a easy dish, however when it’s completed proper, it’s one of the vital satisfying issues you possibly can eat in Portugal.
7. Francesinha (The Queen of Sandwiches)
This isn’t only a sandwich; it’s an occasion. Hailing from Porto, the Francesinha is a beast of a meal, layered with sausage, ham, and steak, then smothered in melted cheese and a wealthy, spicy, beer-based tomato sauce. It’s messy, decadent, and completely unforgettable. Excellent when accompanied by a facet of french fries.
Dave & Deb’s Take: We made a particular journey to Porto simply to strive an genuine Francesinha, and it lived as much as the hype. It’s arguably the most well-liked Portuguese meals. Our recommendation? Come hungry, and don’t put on a white shirt. You’ll discover it on menus in Lisbon, but it surely’s price ready to strive it in its hometown of Porto.
8. Carne de Porco à Alentejana (Pork with Clams)
That is the unique Portuguese surf and turf, and it’s a superb mixture of flavours. The dish combines tender chunks of pork marinated in wine and garlic with recent clams, all served over a mattress of fried potatoes and topped with recent cilantro. It originated within the Algarve area however is now a beloved basic throughout the nation.
Dave & Deb’s Take: The primary time we noticed this on a menu, we had been a bit skeptical concerning the pork and clam combo, but it surely simply works. The salty flavour of the clams completely enhances the wealthy pork, and the sauce is unbelievable for dipping your bread in. It’s a must-try for any adventurous foodie.
9. Arroz de Marisco (Seafood Rice)
Whereas it would seem like a Spanish paella, Arroz de Marisco is a uniquely Portuguese dish. The important thing distinction is that the rice is cooked in a flavourful broth till it’s a lot looser and extra stew-like than a paella. It’s filled with a beneficiant quantity of seafood, usually together with prawns, mussels, clams, and squid.
Dave & Deb’s Take: It is a implausible dish to share. It often involves the desk in a big clay pot, steaming and aromatic. We love the soupy consistency of the rice, which is filled with the flavour of the ocean. It’s an ideal meal for an extended, lazy lunch with a bottle of Vinho Verde.
10. Bitoque (Steak and Egg)
Bitoque is a basic Portuguese consolation meal you’ll discover in nearly each native restaurant or tasca. It’s a easy however satisfying dish of a thin-cut steak (both pork or beef) that’s pan-fried in garlic and butter, then topped with a runny fried egg. It’s nearly all the time served with a facet of french fries and rice.
Dave & Deb’s Take: This was our go-to lunch on days once we wanted one thing fast, hearty, and dependable. It’s a no-frills dish, but it surely’s all the time scrumptious. The most effective half is breaking the fried egg yolk and letting it run over the steak and fries. It’s easy, basic Portuguese cooking at its greatest.
11. Arroz de Pato (Duck Rice)
It is a basic Portuguese consolation meals dish. Arroz de Pato, or duck rice, is a wealthy and savory dish the place the rice is cooked in a flavorful broth constituted of simmering the duck itself. The tender, shredded duck meat is then blended into the rice, which is commonly topped with slices of smoky chouriço and baked till the highest is barely crispy.
Dave & Deb’s Take: We had this on a cool night in a small, family-run restaurant and it was the proper hearty meal. It’s a lot richer and extra flavourful than a regular rice dish. The crispy chouriço on prime provides the proper salty, smoky distinction to the tender duck.
12. Polvo à Lagareiro (Octopus with Olive Oil)
If you happen to love seafood, this dish is an absolute must-try. Tender octopus is boiled after which roasted with loads of garlic and a beneficiant quantity of Portuguese olive oil, and usually served with small, roasted potatoes which have been smashed to take in all of the scrumptious oil.
Dave & Deb’s Take: We had been a bit hesitant about octopus earlier than our journeys to Portugal, however this dish utterly transformed us. When it’s cooked properly, the octopus is extremely tender, not chewy in any respect. It’s a easy dish that actually lets the high-quality elements shine. It’s one in all our go-to orders each time we’re again in Portugal.
13. Bolinhos de Bacalhau (Codfish Muffins)
These are one in all Portugal’s hottest snacks or appetizers. Bolinhos de Bacalhau are small, deep-fried fritters constituted of a mix of salted cod, potatoes, eggs, and recent parsley. They’re crispy on the surface and delicate and fluffy on the within.
Dave & Deb’s Take: You’ll discover these all over the place, from small cafes to high-end eating places. They’re the proper snack to have with a chilly beer on a sunny afternoon. We love how they’re a easy, scrumptious chunk of Portugal’s most well-known fish.
14. Cozido à Portuguesa (Portuguese Stew)
It is a carnivore’s dream and a real style of typical Portuguese meals. Cozido is a hearty boiled stew filled with an enormous assortment of meats and greens. A typical Cozido can embody beef, pork, rooster, and varied sausages like chouriço and morcela (blood sausage), all slow-cooked with greens like potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.
Dave & Deb’s Take: Be ready: this isn’t a light-weight meal. It’s a large platter of meals, meant to be shared. It’s a implausible technique to pattern an enormous number of Portuguese meats and sausages multi function go. It’s a basic Sunday household meal for a purpose.
15. Cataplana de Marisco (Portuguese Seafood Stew)
This iconic dish from the Algarve area is as a lot concerning the presentation as it’s concerning the flavour. It’s a seafood stew cooked and served in a clam-shaped copper pan known as a cataplana. The pan acts like a steamer, locking in all of the flavours of the recent seafood, which usually consists of clams, prawns, and fish, cooked in a aromatic broth of tomatoes, white wine, and herbs.
Dave & Deb’s Take: This was the basic Portuguese dish that we had heard about from our mates. So, in fact we needed to strive it. We had this at a seaside restaurant in Lagos, and it was an ideal hearty meal. The second they open the cataplana at your desk and the steam billows out is implausible. It’s a must-do expertise if you’re within the Algarve.
16. Peixinhos da Horta (Fried Inexperienced Beans)
Don’t let the straightforward description idiot you; this is among the most addictive snacks in Portugal. The title actually interprets to “little fishes from the backyard,” and the dish consists of inexperienced beans which might be battered and deep-fried till crispy. It’s believed that this dish was the inspiration for what the world now is aware of as Japanese tempura, launched by Portuguese merchants centuries in the past.
Dave & Deb’s Take: We first tried these at slightly tapas bar and couldn’t cease ordering them. They’re the proper appetizer. The batter is gentle and crispy, and the inexperienced bean inside is completely tender. It’s a easy, sensible dish and a terrific vegetarian choice.
17. Picanha
Whereas initially a well-known Brazilian reduce of beef, Picanha has been wholeheartedly adopted by Portugal. This particular reduce, the highest sirloin cap, is understood for its unbelievable tenderness and a thick layer of fats that bastes the meat because it grills over charcoal, making it unbelievably juicy and flavourful.
Dave & Deb’s Take: If you happen to see Picanha on the menu and also you’re a steak lover, order it. It’s typically served merely with fries and black beans. The standard of the meat in Portugal is implausible, and this is among the greatest methods to expertise it.
18. Feijoada (Bean Stew)
One other dish with sturdy Brazilian ties, Feijoada is a wealthy and hearty stew of black beans and varied cuts of pork and beef. Whereas traditionally made with cheaper cuts, it’s now a beloved consolation meals. It’s a slow-cooked, soulful dish that’s good for an enormous, satisfying meal.
Dave & Deb’s Take: It is a true style of rustic, hearty delicacies. It’s a heavy dish, so it’s greatest loved on a cooler day. We discovered it’s a terrific meal to share, typically served with rice and orange slices, which assist reduce by way of the richness of the stew.
19. Caldeirada de Peixe (Fish Stew)
That is the quintessential Portuguese fisherman’s stew. A Caldeirada is a gorgeous, layered stew made with quite a lot of recent fish and potatoes, all cooked collectively in a flavourful broth of tomatoes, bell peppers, and herbs. The fantastic thing about the dish is that it historically makes use of regardless of the fishermen caught that day.
Dave & Deb’s Take: We had this in a small fishing village within the Algarve, and it was unbelievable. It’s much like a French Bouillabaisse however heartier and extra rustic. It’s a implausible technique to pattern all kinds of native fish multi function go.
20. Ovas (Fish Roe)
For the actually adventurous eater, Ovas is a Portuguese delicacy constituted of fish roe (eggs). Your entire egg sack, usually from a gray mullet, is boiled after which served chilled, typically sliced and dressed merely with olive oil, vinegar, and onions alongside boiled potatoes.
Dave & Deb’s Take: Now we have to confess, this one was a problem for us at first, however we had been decided to strive it. The feel is probably the most distinctive half—very clean and silky. It’s a really conventional and historic dish, and should you’re seeking to step outdoors your culinary consolation zone, that is the one to strive.
21. Serra da Estrela Cheese
If you’re a cheese lover, you need to strive Queijo Serra da Estrela. That is Portugal’s most well-known cheese, hailing from the Serra da Estrela mountains. It’s a delicate, gooey sheep’s milk cheese that’s so creamy you typically eat it by scooping it out with a spoon. It has a powerful, advanced flavour that’s completely unforgettable.
Dave & Deb’s Take: We first tried this Portuguese cheese at a market in Lisbon, and it was a revelation. It’s served at room temperature, and the rind is reduce off the highest so you possibly can dip bread proper into the gooey heart. It’s extremely wealthy and flavourful. Paired with a glass of pink wine, it’s an ideal appetizer.
22. Pão de Deus (God’s Bread)
It is a fashionable Portuguese bread roll, and its title actually interprets to “God’s Bread.” It’s a delicate, brioche-like bun with a scrumptious, candy shredded coconut topping that will get toasted throughout baking. It’s a staple in Portuguese bakeries (pastelarias).
Dave & Deb’s Take: This was our go-to breakfast on many mornings in Portugal. It’s not overly candy, and the delicate bread with the marginally crispy coconut topping is an ideal mixture with a powerful espresso. It’s a easy, scrumptious technique to begin your day like an area.
23. Bola de Berlim
These are the Portuguese model of a Berliner or a Bismark doughnut, and they’re extremely fashionable, particularly on the seashores in the summertime. They’re fluffy, deep-fried doughnuts, rolled in sugar, and historically full of a candy egg yolk cream (creme de ovos).
Dave & Deb’s Take: You’ll see distributors strolling the seashores within the Algarve promoting these from coolers, and you must completely purchase one. They’re the proper seashore snack. Whereas the normal egg cream is the basic, we additionally love those full of chocolate.
24. Cebolada
Cebolada isn’t a standalone dish, however reasonably a flavorful onion-based stew or sauce that may be a cornerstone of Portuguese residence cooking. It’s made by slow-cooking onions with tomatoes and garlic till they’re delicate and candy. It’s typically served as a base for stewed or pan-fried fish and meat dishes.
Dave & Deb’s Take: We had this served with a gorgeous piece of grilled tuna, and it was implausible. The sweetness of the slow-cooked onions and tomatoes is the proper complement to the recent fish. It’s a terrific instance of how easy, high-quality elements are the center of Portuguese delicacies.
25. Linguica (Portuguese Smoked Sausage)
Linguica is a flavourful, smoke-cured pork sausage seasoned with garlic and paprika. It’s a staple within the Portuguese eating regimen and is extremely versatile. It may be grilled, fried, or added to stews and rice dishes so as to add a deep, smoky flavour.
Dave & Deb’s Take: That is spicier and extra flavourful than a typical chorizo. We adore it grilled over an open flame. You’ll typically see it served as a easy appetizer, the place it’s dropped at the desk in a flaming ceramic dish. It’s a little bit of theatre and extremely scrumptious.
26. Port Wine
You possibly can’t go to Portugal with out attempting its most well-known drink. Port is a candy, fortified wine produced completely within the Douro Valley in northern Portugal. It’s usually served as a dessert wine and is available in a number of varieties, from wealthy, fruity ruby ports to advanced, nutty tawny ports.
Dave & Deb’s Take: We spent a number of days exploring the Douro Valley, and it’s one of the vital stunning wine areas on this planet. One of the best ways to expertise Port is to go to one of many Port lodges in Porto for a tasting. It’s a implausible technique to study concerning the historical past and totally different types of this iconic Portuguese drink.
27. Vinho Verde (Inexperienced Wine)
Don’t let the title idiot you; “inexperienced wine” isn’t really inexperienced in color. It’s a younger wine (therefore “inexperienced”) from the Minho area within the north, and it’s gentle, crisp, and sometimes has a slight effervescence. It’s the proper refreshing drink for a sunny afternoon.
Dave & Deb’s Take: We drank Vinho Verde nearly every single day in Portugal. It’s extremely inexpensive and pairs completely with recent seafood. It’s gentle, straightforward to drink, and quintessentially Portuguese.
28. Ginjinha (Cherry Liqueur)
Ginjinha (or Ginja) is a well-liked Portuguese liqueur made by infusing bitter cherries (ginja berries) in a brandy known as aguardente. It’s a candy, sturdy liqueur that may be a beloved native drink, particularly in Lisbon.
Dave & Deb’s Take: One of the best ways to do that is from one of many tiny, historic Ginjinha bars in Lisbon. For about one Euro, you get a shot served in a small glass, typically with a cherry within the backside. You too can ask for it to be served in a small chocolate cup, which is a enjoyable and scrumptious technique to take pleasure in it.
Planning Your Meals Tour of Portugal
- Finest Meals Excursions in Lisbon & Porto: A meals tour is among the greatest methods to get an introduction to Portuguese delicacies. We advocate taking a tour in your first day to get your bearings and uncover some native gems.
- Ideas for Eating in Portugal:
- The bread, olives, and different small plates the waiter brings at first of the meal (the couvert) will not be free. If you happen to don’t need them, simply politely say “no, thanks.”
- Lunch is usually the principle meal of the day, and lots of eating places provide a terrific worth prato do dia (dish of the day).
- Dinner is eaten late in Portugal, often after 8:00 PM.
FAQ: Meals in Portugal
The nationwide dish of Portugal is Bacalhau (dried and salted cod). It’s mentioned that there are greater than 365 methods to cook dinner it, one for every single day of the 12 months.
A typical Portuguese breakfast is gentle and easy, typically consisting of recent bread with butter, cheese, or jam, and a espresso (like an espresso or a galão – espresso with milk). The Pão de Deus can be a well-liked breakfast alternative.
Typically, conventional Portuguese meals shouldn’t be very spicy. The well-known Piri-Piri sauce is the principle exception, and it’s often served on the facet so you possibly can add as a lot warmth as you want.
So, Which Dish Will You Attempt First?
After spending two full months consuming our method from the sunny coast of the Algarve to the historic hills of the north, it’s unimaginable for us to choose only one favorite Portuguese dish. What we actually fell in love with was the honesty of the meals.
Whether or not it was a easy bowl of Caldo Verde on a cool night time in Porto or recent grilled sardines at a pageant in Lisbon, the main target was all the time on unbelievable, recent elements ready with care. But when we needed to decide one good meals reminiscence, it might be sharing a steaming Cataplana de Marisco at a tiny seaside restaurant. The second the waiter opened that copper pan at our desk and the aromatic steam of seafood, wine, and herbs crammed the air… that, to us, is the style of Portugal.
This nation’s delicacies is a scrumptious journey, and we hope this information has impressed you to strive as many of those conventional Portuguese dishes as you possibly can.