Have you booked your trip to Portugal and are unsure of what Portuguese foods you should try? This guide will break down some popular foods you will find in Portugal so you can indulge in Portugal’s rich culinary heritage. Let’s get straight into it.
Appetizers
- Caldo Verde – A beloved Portuguese soup made with potatoes, collard greens, and chorizo sausage, caldo verde is a comforting and flavorful start to any meal.
- Pastéis de Bacalhau / Bolinhos de Bacalhau – Also known as codfish cakes, these crispy, golden balls consist of salted cod, potatoes, onions, and parsley. They can be served with a squeeze of lemon.
- Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato – This dish features clams cooked in a garlic, olive oil, and white wine sauce, finished with fresh cilantro. It’s a favorite appetizer in coastal regions.
- Salada de Polvo – Octopus salad is common along the coast of Portugal. This dish has octopus, onions, olive oil, and fresh cilantro.
- Chouriço Assado – A Portuguese technique for grilling traditional Portuguese sausages, also known as choriço. The alcohol, typically aguardente, is lit inside a boat-shaped terracotta dish and the choriço is grilled on top.
Main Meals
- Bacalhau à Brás – Salted cod is shredded and sautéed with onions, potatoes, and eggs in this popular Portuguese dish, garnished with black olives and parsley.
- Sardinhas Assadas – Grilled over charcoal, sardines are a staple in Portuguese cuisine.
- Carne de Porco à Alentejana – A traditional Portuguese dish made up of a combination of pork, clams, cubed fries, and olives.
- Bitoque – A thin steak topped with a sunnyside-up egg, served with rice and fries on the side.
- Cataplana de Marisco – This seafood stew’s name comes from the copper pan it cooks in. This stew consists of clams, shrimp, and other shellfish in a tomato and wine broth.
Desserts
- Pastel de Nata – These famous custard tarts are a must-try. They have a flaky crust and a creamy, slightly caramelized filling, often dusted with cinnamon.
- Bolo de Bolacha or Semifrio – A no-bake cake made from layers of coffee-soaked Maria biscuits and whipped cream.
- Mousse de Chocolate – Light, sweet chocolate mousse is extremely common in Portugal and can be found in many restaurants.
- Arroz Doce – Portuguese rice pudding, flavored with lemon and cinnamon, and often garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
- Queijadas de Sintra – These small cheesecakes are from the town of Sintra, made with fresh cheese, sugar, egg yolks, and a touch of cinnamon.
Snacks
- Pão com Chouriço – Bread stuffed with chouriço sausage, this snack is perfect for enjoying on the go or at a local bakery.
- Rissóis de Carne / Camarão – Breaded and fried rissoles, filled with a meat (carne) or shrimp (Camarão) mixture.
- Bifana – A traditional pork sandwich, bifana features thinly sliced marinated pork served in a crusty roll (papo seco), often enjoyed with mustard.
- Caracóis – You can find Portuguese snails cooked in broth in cafés in central and southern Portugal during the summer months.
- Tosta Mista – A ham and cheese toastie, grilled until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.
Beverages
- Sumol – A popular Portuguese soft drink that comes in flavours orange (laranja), passion fruit (maracujá), and my personal favourite, pineapple (ananás).
- Água das Pedras – A carbonated mineral water company that is also available in various flavours like lemon (limão), passion fruit (maracujá), and tangerina (tangerine).
- Compal – A popular fruit juice and nectar company with a wide range of flavours, including peach, mango, pear, guava, orange, apple, etc.
- Galão – Similar to a latté, a galão is 1/4 espresso and 3/4 frothed milk.
- Café – An espresso – do not confuse it with coffee.
Alcoholic Beverages
- Vinho Verde – This “green wine” is a young, slightly fizzy wine from the northern regions of Portugal. Perfect for a light, refreshing drink.
- Ginjinha / Ginja – A sweet cherry liqueur served in small shot glasses or little chocolate cups.
- Port Wine – Portugal’s famous fortified wine from the Douro Valley with many varieties. A great dessert wine to finish off any meal.
- Madeira Wine – A fortified wine from the Madeira Islands. This wine has rich flavors and a variety of styles, from dry to sweet.
- Licor Beirão – A popular herbal liqueur with a sweet and aromatic flavor, often enjoyed as a digestif.
During your vacation, make sure to try some of these classic Portuguese foods. Or, if you aren’t traveling, bring Portugal home and try out some recipes for yourself!
Let us know in the comments what Portuguese foods are your favorite!
Enjoy!
Vanessa
