Best Portuguese Food: 40 Best Portuguese Dishes And Traditional Food In Portugal To Try

Best Portuguese Food: 40 Best Portuguese Dishes And Traditional Food In Portugal To Try

We will write about Portuguese food with the best 40 Portuguese dishes and traditional food in Portugal to try. Portuguese cuisine and the food in Portugal is good! There are also some dishes that are authentic Portuguese traditional food and drinks to try!

Portuguese cuisine favors robust dishes prepared with meat, seafood, lentils, and vegetables. It’s a Mediterranean-style cuisine that incorporates a wide range of spices, many of which originated in Portugal’s former colonies. Read here vegetarian food in Portugal, fruits in Portugal and best breakfast in Portugal

Traditional Portuguese food emphasize seafood, meat, olive oil, bread, tomato, herbs, and spices and may be found all around the country. The flavors are light and healthy. To wash it down, there are plenty of local wines and beverages to choose from.

Read here Road trip to Algarve, the most instagrammable places in Portugal and all the things to know before visiting Portugal!

SIM CARD AT LISBON AIRPORT

I wouldn’t recommend you to buy a sim card at Lisbon airport. If you wish comfort you can buy eSim online and if you aren’t in a hurry just go around phone shops in the city and compare prices to buy the cheapest sim card in Lisbon. Read here Portugal sim card for tourist and the best Portugal eSim

Where to Stay in Portugal

Portugal may look like an expensive place to go to and stay at, but you can actually just go for cheaper options on things such as staying on a dorm for just €15–22, or for a basic hotel room for two for €30 or less. AirBnB is also an option, where you can get rooms for €15 to €22.

Click here to get the best deals in Portugal with Booking!

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

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BEST PORTUGUESE FOOD: BEST PORTUGUESE DISHES AND TRADITIONAL FOOD IN PORTUGAL TO TRY

BEST PORTUGUESE DISHES: TRADITIONAL FOOD IN PORTUGAL

1. BACALHAU

Bacalhau or codfish from Portugal is a national passion. For generations, Bacalhau has been an important element of the Portuguese diet, and with good cause.

2. SARDINHAS ASSADAS

Sardinhas assadas or also called as freshly grilled sardines, are a traditional Portuguese comfort food. Sardines are roasted whole on an open-fire grill and simply seasoned with a dusting of coarse sea salt, making them a popular draw at summer festivals around the country.

3. CALDO VERDE

Caldo Verde is a popular Portuguese soup. Caldo Verde soup is extremely popular mostly in winter, it can be enjoyed any time of year, regardless of the weather. The soup is green in hue and cooked with a dark green cabbage that is only found in Portugal.

4. BIFANAS

Bifanas are iconic Portuguese pork sandwiches. Bifanas can be found all around the country. Bifanas can be eaten with a bowl of soup and fries for a complete lunch or supper meal, or with beer for a late-night Portuguese snack.

5. CHICKEN PIRI-PIRI

Chicken Piri-Piri is a typical Portuguese national cuisine and can be served with chips or French fries, as well as a tiny lettuce, tomato, and onion salad. Churrascarias are restaurants in Portugal that serve Portuguese chicken piri-piri. They can be seen in every neighborhood around the country.

6. POLVO Á LA LAGAREIRO

Polvo à la lagareiro is a popular octopus dish served all throughout the country. Polvo à la lagareiro is a deceptively easy yet delicious dish. When cooked properly, octopus becomes extremely delicate and tasty. The olive oil gives this fish dish a distinct fruity and slightly bitter flavor.

7. PORCO PRETO

Don’t miss the outstanding porco preto during your visit to Portugal! Proco preto pigs have a distinct fat marbling pattern throughout their meat.

8. PASTÉIS DE BACALHAU

Pastéis de Bacalhau are fried cakes prepared with cod and potatoes rather than sugar and flour. Pastéis de Bacalhau are delicious straight from the fryer. When you bite into the crispy fritter, you’ll find a creamy blend of bacalhau, potatoes, eggs, and parsley.

9. PERCEBES

Percebes, are crustaceans that stick to rocks in places that have a high crashing surf. Because of their sweet meat, which tastes like a cross between lobster and clam, they’re considered a rare and delicious delicacy in Portugal.

10. ARROZ DE PATO

Arroz do Pato is a Portuguese traditional food that originated in the north of the country, notably in the city of Braga. Arroz do Pato includes bay leaf, garlic, wine, and, of course, rice, all of which are typical of traditional Portuguese cuisine.

11. CATAPLANA DE MARISCO

The most delicious cataplana is Cataplana de Marisco, which is the one to order! Cataplana de Marisco is made using fresh local ingredients such as onions, tomatoes, peppers, olive oil, and white wine, as well as mussels, shrimp, and clams.

12. GAMBAS A L’AJILO

Gambas a l’Ajilo or garlic prawns is a must try to eat in Portugal! The two primary ingredients of gambas a l’ajilo are garlic and prawns, are of exceptional quality in Portugal. 

13. COZIDO A PORTUGUESA

After a long day of working in the fields, Cozido à Portuguesa is a delicious dinner. Ears, ribs, morcella, chouriço, and hog belly are among the low and slow cooked meats at Cozido à Portuguesa.

14. AÇORDA

Açorda is a famous bread soup that comes in a variety of flavors around the country. A variety of crushed herbs, garlic, olive oil, and boiling water are poured over diced bread and left to soften in most açorda soups, which have a smooth and thick consistency.

15. CHOURIÇO ASSADO

Chouriço assado is a Portuguese method of barbecuing chouriço, a classic pork sausage, over terracotta bowls in the shape of boats. The bottom of the pot is filled with aguardente, a strong local spirit, which is fired before the sausage is placed on top and cooked over flames until crisp and slightly burnt.

16. QUEIJO

Removing the top of the queijo reveals a smooth, aromatic paste that can be spread. Because thistle rennet is historically used to coagulate milk, expect a particular acidic bite in queijo.

17. ALHEIRA

Alheira is a Portuguese sausage that is created using meat and bread. Alheira is named from alho and was originally used to denote any sausage seasoned with it, garlic is still a common element in modern alheiras.

18. CHOCO FRITO

Choco Frito is a hyper-regional Portuguese dish that is only found in Setubal. Choco Frito means “fried cuttlefish,” which is exactly what this delicacy is.

19. CARACÓIS

Caracóis are popular in Portugal for summer since is the best time to eat them. Caracóis are small snails that are both edible and popular.

20. PEIXINHOS DA HORTA

Peixinhos da horta is a typical dish. Because it resembles small bits of multicolored fish, the peixinhos da horta literally translates as “Little fishes from the garden.”

21. TRIPAS Á MODA DO PORTO

Because of its principal constituent, Tripas à Moda do Porto isn’t for everyone. Tripas à Moda do Porto was so popular in the past that people of the northern metropolis were referred to as Tripeiros.

22. PREGO

Prego is a popular Portuguese sandwich made from thin slices of beef that have been seasoned with garlic, fried, then sautéed with onions and wine before being placed from the inside of a bread roll.

23. CARNE DE PORCO Á ALENTEJANA

Carne de Porco à Alentejana is a popular Portuguese meal that may be seen on the menus of restaurants all over the world. Carne de Porco Alentejana refers to the pork used in the meal coming from the region of the country that produces Black Iberian Pigs. The fat percentage in Iberian pig meat is higher, resulting in meat that is more soft and tasty.

24. SOPA DE CAÇO

Sopa de caço is a typical Portuguese dish prepared with dogfish shark slices stewed in a delicious broth with garlic and coriander. Sopa de caço is usually prepared with sliced bread and seasoned with bay leaves, ground paprika, and vinegar.

25. FEIJOADA

Feijoada is the most comfortable meal you can create with inexpensive and readily available materials. Feijoada is a “simple” plate made by poor Portuguese families who relied solely on grains, vegetables, and swine meat for sustenance.

26. AMEIJOAS A BULHAO PATO

Amêijoas à Bulho Pato is named after Raimundo Antonio de Bulhao Pato, a well-known Portuguese gastronomist who frequently cited the dish in his publications in the 19th century. Amêijoas à Bulho Pato, blends clams with a savory sauce made with olive oil, garlic, lime juice, white wine, and fresh cilantro.

27. FRANCESINHA

Francesinha is a sandwich with bread, linguica or Portuguese sausage, wet-cured ham, and steak or roast beef that is covered in sauce. Before being poured in a thick tomato and beer sauce, it’s smothered in melted cheese and topped with a fried egg. Since this francesinha is such a popular meal in Porto, everyone has an opinion on who offers it best.

BEST PORTUGUESE FOOD: PORTUGUESE CUISINE DESSERTS

28. PASTEL DE NATA

Pastel de nata is a cinnamon-dusted Portuguese egg custard tart pastry. Pastel de nata is a puff pastry filled with a custard consisting of cream, egg yolks, sugar, flour, and lemon zest.

29. OVOS MOLES

Ovos moles are a Portuguese dessert found throughout the country, but particularly in Aveiro, where they originated. Ovos moles are the most popular in Aveiro. 

30. MALASADAS

Malasada is a Portuguese dessert known also as Portuguese Fried Dough. Malasada is a fried doughnut prepared from flattened yeast dough rounds flavored with lime juice and covered with powdered sugar and cinnamon.

31. ARROZ DOCE

Arroz Doce is a rich, creamy, sweet Portuguese rice pudding served semi-set with a liberal sprinkle of cinnamon. Arroz Doce is a popular Portuguese dessert given during the holidays and at special occasions.

32. PAO DE LO

Pao de lo is a freshened version of angel cake made with whipped eggs. Pao de lo is traditionally served with powdered sugar, but you may easily add fruit or whipped cream to spice things up.

33. CHOCOLATE SALAMI

Chocolate salami is the no bake cookie that is simple to make and customize. Chocolate salami can be made ahead of time and customized with your favorite nuts or dried fruits, making it excellent for entertaining.

34. BOLO REI

Bolo Rei is one of the most classic cake in Portugal. Bolo Rei is a sweet bread made with yeast and filled with candied fruits, almonds, wine, and lime zest.

35. QUEIJADA

Queijada is a delicious single-serve cheesecake with a caramelized top. The queijada is more similar to a traditional tart shell, with a simple shortcrust that does not require sweetening.

PORTUGUESE DRINKS: WHAT DRINKS IN PORTUGAL TO TRY

36. PONCHA

Poncha is produced with Madeira rum, which is manufactured from sugar cane juice and is distilled. Poncha is one of those deceivingly sweet drinks that goes down so smoothly that you almost forget you’re drinking a strong alcoholic beverage until you notice the effects.

37. GINJINHA

This ginjinha is made of sour cherry liqueur, is a tourist favorite, but it has long been a favorite of locals. Ginjinha is now also available in edible chocolate cups.

38. VINHO VERDE

Vinho verde is a type of wine produced in the Vinho Verde wine area near Minho in northern Portugal. Vinho verde comes in a variety of colors, including red, white, and even rosé.

39. LICOR BEIRAO

One of the most well-known is Licor Beiro, also known as Beiro in short. Licor Beiro, the name refers to the distilled drink’s origins in Portugal’s Beiras province.

40. MADEIRA WINE

Madeira wine, which is served as a dessert wine or even an aperitif, is by far the most popular. Madeira wines used in cooking are frequently of inferior quality and are created expressly for marinating food. Seek for higher-grade Madeira wines for a more delightful drinking experience.

Hope you liked our Portuguese food blog post. Which one in the list of Portuguese dishes is your favorite one? Did you like traditional food in Portugal and Portuguese cuisine? Let us know in the comments below.

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