Best Portuguese Food: 15 Must-Try Dishes in Portugal

Not only is Portugal a beautiful country with amazing historic cities, quaint small towns, and stunning beaches, but it also boasts diverse and flavorful cuisine and the best Portuguese food is a valid reason to visit the country in its own right.

A Quick Overview of Portuguese Cuisine

Although Portuguese food may not be as well-known as some of its European counterparts, such as French or Italian cuisine, there’s a lot to love about it. Portuguese cuisine is strongly rooted in tradition and influenced by the country’s location on the Atlantic Ocean. That explains why you’ll enjoy lots of fresh seafood in Portugal.

In addition to delicious seafood, the best Portuguese food also features hearty meat dishes and plenty of desserts. The Portuguese love their sweets, as evidenced by the popularity of cakes and tarts throughout the country.

Food in Portugal is often steeped in tradition, utilizing local ingredients and methods of preparation. And yet there’s also plenty of global influence and flavors in Portuguese cuisine, thanks to Portugal’s status during the Age of Discovery and the exotic recipes the Portuguese explorers brought back home with them.

Like in neighboring Spain, mealtimes are a social occasion in Portugal, and dinners often don’t start until 9 PM or even 10 PM. Lanche is also popular in Portugal. This is an afternoon snack between lunch and dinner that often consists of sandwiches, cured meats, cheese, and pastries.

There’s no doubt that foodies will enjoy a trip to Portugal, but where should you begin with the best Portuguese food? Here are 15 of the best dishes to try in Portugal.

Top 15 Dishes To Try in Portugal

Seafood Dishes

With more than 1100 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, it’s no surprise that seafood is heavily featured in traditional Portuguese cuisine. These are a few of the best seafood dishes to try in Portugal:

1. Bacalhau à Brás

The best place to start when it comes to seafood in Portugal is with Bacalhau or salted cod. This is a staple in Portuguese cooking, and there are tons of different ways to prepare it.

One of the most popular is Bacalhau a Bras. This hearty dish consists of shredded salt cod, matchstick fried potatoes, onions, and eggs, all topped with black olives.

It’s the ultimate comfort food that you have to try at least once while in Portugal and exemplifies the type of home cooking you can find throughout the country when you’re craving something filling.

You can enjoy this dish with a glass of Vinho Verde, which translates directly to green wine but actually means young wine. This tart and crisp wine is very popular in Portugal and it originates in the far northern region of Minho.

2. Polvo à Lagareiro

Another great seafood dish to try in Portugal is Polvo a Lagareiro. If you’re a fan of octopus, you’ll love this simple yet delicious dish. 

Polvo a Lagareiro is an octopus cooked generously in olive oil and garlic. The word Lagareiro refers to the workers who produce olive oil, so that should clue you in as to how important olive oil is to this dish. Accompanied by garlic, it gives the octopus a rich flavor and enhances the texture.

This dish is typically accompanied by small potatoes. You can find Polvo a Lagareiro all throughout Portugal, but especially in Lisbon where the seafood is fresh and plentiful. You can eat it at any time of the year, but this is a dish that Portuguese families typically prepare around Christmas as a special holiday meal.

3. Sardinhas Assadas

One more simple seafood dish you shouldn’t overlook is Sardinhas Assadas or grilled sardines. It may not be the most exotic dish, but it’s extremely popular in Portugal as a traditional summertime food.

Go to any small town in Portugal during the summer, and you’ll smell fresh sardines on the grill. It’s also a staple during local celebrations, such as the Santos Populares, a series of traditional street festivals that take place throughout the country during June.

The way grilled sardines are prepared in Portugal is also unique. The sardines are seasoned with coarse salt and then grilled over an open flame to give them a smoky, slightly charred exterior. They’re typically served with a drizzle of olive oil and roasted peppers and potatoes on the side.

Meat Dishes

Moving on from seafood, let’s talk about meat dishes in Portugal. While seafood tops the list of the best Portuguese food, meat is just as important, especially pork. Here’s a look at some of the most mouthwatering meat dishes in Portugal:

4. Francesinha

Although its name means Little French, the Francesinha is a delicious dish that originated in Porto. A Francesinha is a sandwich, but it’s not just any sandwich. This is the ultimate meal for meat lovers. It’s said to have been adapted from the French Croque Monsieur sandwich but loaded with even more ingredients.

A typical Francesinha consists of two slices of white bread filled with layers of a variety of meats, such as cured ham, sausage, and steak. And if that wasn’t enough for you, the whole thing is smothered in melted cheese and a special tomato and beer sauce.

Sometimes a Francesinha comes with a fried egg on top, too. The sandwich is usually accompanied by French fries to soak up the rich sauce. If you’re looking for a tasty and filling lunch in Portugal, you can’t go wrong with one of these sandwiches. Add a cold Super Bock – the most popular beer in Portugal – and you’re all set.

5. Leitao Assado

Leitao Assado, or oven-roasted suckling pig, is one of the most famous traditional Portuguese dishes. This is a dish that’s popular for special occasions and celebrations.

A young piglet, typically four to six weeks old, is chosen for its tender flavor. The meat is seasoned with a mixture of ingredients, including garlic, salt, pepper, and sometimes a touch of chili pepper, then roasted in a wood-fired oven to give it a smoky flavor.

You can find Leitao Assado in restaurants all around Portugal, but the town of Mealhada in central Portugal is especially well-known for its roasted suckling pig. Tourists and locals alike flock to this small town to enjoy a hearty dish of Leitao Assado.

This is a great dish to enjoy with a glass of Espumante (Portuguese sparkling wine) because it cuts through the richness of the suckling pig with a crisp, light flavor.

6. Porco Preto

One more meat dish you can’t miss in Portugal is Porco Preto or Iberian black pork. The Iberian black pig, also known as the Alentejo pig, is native to Portugal. Although the Portuguese love all kinds of pork, Iberian black pork is the most highly regarded.

This type of pork is known for its unique nutty flavor. The latter comes from the Iberian black pigs’ diet as they feed on acorns from the oak trees of Alentejo.

There are several different ways you’ll see Porco Preto prepared in Portugal. One of the most common methods of preparation is also the simplest: grilled with a sprinkle of sea salt and served with potatoes and a light salad.

Bread, Starters & Side Dishes

7. Broa de Milho

A common accompaniment to many meals in Portugal is Broa de Milho or cornbread. Made from a mixture of cornmeal and either rye or wheat flour, this bread is known for its dense texture and slightly sweet flavoring. It’s been part of the Portuguese diet since Roman times.

This type of bread is a staple in Portuguese households, and you’ll also find it in many restaurants. Cornbread is often served alongside soups and broths in Portugal. It’s also served with meat dishes so you can soak up the juices and rich flavors of the meat.

Alternatively, you can simply enjoy some Broa de Milho with a spread of butter while you’re waiting for your main dish to come out at a restaurant.

8. Açorda

Another common side dish you’ll often see in Portugal is Açorda, a bread soup consisting of cubed or sliced stale bread soaked in broth with plenty of garlic, coriander, and poached eggs.

While you’ll find this all around the country, Açorda is extremely popular in Alentejo and it’s considered a staple of the region’s cuisine. However, you’ll also see Açorda on menus along the coast, but sometimes with seafood added to it.

Because of its rich flavors, Açorda is sometimes served as a main course and not just a side dish. It’s a great example of Portuguese comfort food that’s popular in the winter months since it warms you right up. This is also a good meal for vegetarians as it doesn’t typically include meat or fish.

9. Caldo Verde

Originating in the Minho region in northern Portugal but now a popular dish throughout the country, Caldo Verde is yet another delicious soup. Its popularity is so great that it’s considered one of Portugal’s national dishes.

Caldo Verde is a soup with leafy greens, such as cabbage or kale. More ingredients are added, like potatoes, olive oil, garlic, and onions, while some variations call for the addition of meat pieces or sausage.

When locals dine out, they rarely start a meal without a bowl of heartwarming Caldo Verde, accompanied by fresh bread and paired with a glass of white wine.

10. Prego

The Prego sandwich is often eaten as a quick bite in Portugal, sometimes as part of the Lanche afternoon snack or as a late-night snack. It’s a popular street food that you can find in cities and towns all around the country. What started as a quick and robust working-class meal has become a beloved dish all over Portugal.

The simple but delicious Prego is essentially just a steak sandwich served on a bread roll and flavored with a lot of garlic. The word Prego means nail and likely refers to the way the garlic is nailed into the meat. To enhance the sandwich, a slice of cheese or a fried egg is sometimes added.

If you’re looking for something filling but don’t want to sit down for a full meal, enjoy a Prego sandwich and a cold bottle of Super Bock beer.

Rice-Based Dishes

Instead of being a mere side dish, rice in Portugal takes center stage as it’s featured in several popular Portuguese recipes. Here are the two most beloved rice dishes in Portugal:

11. Arroz de Marisco

A staple of Portuguese cuisine, Arroz de Marisco – or seafood rice – is a favorite among locals and visitors alike in Portugal. Often topping anyone’s list of the best Portuguese food, Arroz de Marisco can be found throughout the country, but nowhere does it taste better than Portugal’s Atlantic Coast.

The dish is simple yet mouthwatering. Flavorful rice is cooked to perfection alongside the fresh catch of the day, such as shrimp, crab, mussels, or even pieces of fish.

When ordering Arroz de Marisco, don’t be surprised if an entire pot of seafood goodness lands on your table instead of just a plate. That’s the way Arroz de Marisco is served in Portugal, and it’s customary to be shared by everyone sitting at the same table.

12. Arroz de Pato

For meat lovers, Arroz de Pato is yet another popular rice-based Portuguese dish. As its name suggests, duck rice is a comforting dish consisting of rice cooked in wine and a rich duck stock before pieces of duck meat and smoked pork sausage are added.

Arroz de Pato originates in Portugal’s north, and more specifically, the quaint city of Braga. However, you can enjoy it throughout the country.

Pastries & Desserts

No meal in Portugal is complete without dessert. The Portuguese have a bit of a sweet tooth, and there are plenty of traditional pastries and desserts you can try. Don’t miss tasting these sweet treats in Portugal:

13. Pastel de Nata

Pastel de Nata is by far the most famous dessert in Portugal. It’s essentially the national dessert of Portugal. This tasty dessert is a creamy custard tart with a caramelized top. The crusty, flaky pastry is the perfect contrast to the creaminess of the egg custard filling.

This dessert originated at the Jerónimos Monastery in Belem, a district in Lisbon, in the late 18th century. According to the story, Catholic monks at the monastery had lots of leftover egg yolks on hand (since egg whites were used for starching clothing) and they developed the Pastel de Nata recipe.

Today, one of the best places to try Portuguese custard tarts is right across from Jeronimos Monastery at Pastéis de Belém. This bakery is extremely popular, so you’ll want to arrive at 8 AM when it opens or prepare to wait in line to get your hands on the original Pastel de Nata.

14. Portuguese Croissants

You might think of France when you crave croissants, but Portugal has its own unique variation. While Portuguese croissants resemble French croissants on the exterior, they’re actually quite different in terms of flavor and how they’re made.

Whereas French croissants are light and flaky, Portuguese croissants are made with a denser brioche dough. Portuguese croissants are also usually sweeter than French croissants, which makes them more of a dessert treat.

Not only is the dough sweet, but Portuguese croissants are often also glazed with a sweet sugary syrup. You can also find croissants with fillings like chocolate and egg cream at many bakeries in Portugal, making this the perfect sweet to enjoy with a cup of coffee in the morning or as part of your afternoon snack.

15. Bolo de Bolacha

One more dessert you must try in Portugal is Bolo de Bolacha or biscuit cake. It’s a simple no-bake dessert, and yet it’s extremely delicious.

The cake is made by layering flat Marie biscuits with buttercream frosting and soaking the whole thing in coffee, often topping it with grating chocolate or biscuit crumbs. The biscuits soften as they absorb the coffee, resulting in a light and tasty dessert.

Bolo de Bolacha is a popular dessert in many Portuguese households because of how easy it is to prepare. That said, you’ll often find it at pastry shops or on the menu at Portuguese restaurants, too. This is a great dessert to enjoy with a cup of coffee or a glass of sweet port wine after a meal.

Savor The Best Portuguese Food With JayWay

If, after going through this list of Portuguese dishes, you’re now hungry for a journey through the tastes of Portugal but not sure where to start, you’re in the best hands. At JayWay Travel, we know Portugal quite well and we’ll be more than happy to craft the perfect Portugal itinerary for you.

From a trip through the culinary traditions and delights of Portugal to an adventure that showcases the highlights of the Iberian Peninsula and combines the best Portuguese food with the staples of Spanish cuisine, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the options you have for a memorable Portuguese vacation.