You Can’t Miss Trying These 30 Popular Foods in Portugal, or These Culinary Experiences for That Matter!

If you are planning a trip and wondering what to eat in Portugal, then you're in the right place. This country is full of flavor, and we're here to help you explore the most popular foods in Portugal, along with some epic culinary experiences to truly enjoy all the deliciousness that this destination has to offer.

Portuguese food is highly underrated, with a variety of dishes to enjoy throughout the mainland and different islands. From seaside seafood feasts to cozy neighborhood tascas, eating your way through Portugal is truly one of the highlights of visiting the country.

In this guide, we will be sharing the most popular foods in Portugal, traditional dishes and drinks, unique food experiences, and what meals look like throughout the country.

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Portugal Food Guide: An Introduction to the Most Popular Foods in Portugal

Before diving into the must try dishes, let’s talk about what makes Portuguese cuisine so special.

👩‍🍳 What is Portuguese Cuisine Like?

Portuguese cuisine is heavily influenced by the sea, seasonal ingredients, and simple cooking techniques that bring flavors to life. You can expect lots of fresh seafood, olive oil, garlic, herbs, slow cooked meats, hearty stews, and incredible bread.

Meals in Portugal are social and unhurried. Tables are often filled with shared plates like olives, cheese, bread, and seafood starters before the main dishes arrive. Olive oil is used generously, and bread is almost always part of the meal.

You will also find ingredients like cod, sardines, pork, potatoes, tomatoes, rice, and eggs used throughout many popular foods in Portugal. Coffee is a daily ritual, desserts are sweet and egg based, and meals often end with an espresso rather than tea.

🍽 What is the Portuguese National Dish?

Portugal’s national dish is bacalhau, or salted cod. There are said to be hundreds of ways to prepare it, and you will see it on menus across the country in many different forms, from baked to fried and in creamy casseroles.

🐟 What is the Most Popular Food in Portugal?

While bacalhau is the national staple, grilled sardines are one of the most popular foods in Portugal, especially in coastal towns and during summer festivals. They are simple, affordable, and incredibly flavorful, often served with bread, salad, and potatoes. You can also find entire shops dedicated to canned sardines to take home as a souvenir.

Sardines are a point of pride in Portuguese food culture and are also specially connected to celebrations like the Festas de Lisboa.

👉🏻 Visiting the house of sardines is one of the best things to do in Porto!

💸 Is Food Expensive in Portugal?

Food in Portugal is very affordable compared to much of Western Europe, especially if you are dining outside the main tourist areas. You can enjoy excellent meals at local restaurants for reasonable prices, especially if you eat at traditional tascas rather than tourist focused spots.

Even in bigger cities like Lisbon and Porto, we found that eating well did not break the budget, and we also enjoyed lots of wine, without having to worry about the price tag.

🤔 Is Portuguese Food Good?

We absolutely love Portuguese food! It has the perfect balance of simple, healthy dishes and hearty, comforting ones. Even the simplest dishes, like grilled fish with olive oil and garlic, are done exceptionally well.

Portugal also has a growing modern food scene, with creative chefs putting contemporary twists on traditional dishes, alongside great cafes serving specialty coffee and brunch style options, especially in bigger cities.

🚰 Can You Drink Tap Water in Portugal?

Yes, tap water in Portugal is safe to drink. Locals drink it regularly, and restaurants will happily serve it if you ask. Bringing a reusable water bottle is a great idea to be a more sustainable traveler.

Popular Foods in Portugal: Meals

Now you know a bit about what to expect in terms of Portuguese cuisine. So let's explore all of the popular foods in Portugal, and what meals look like for locals.

🥐 Popular Foods in Portugal for Breakfast

Breakfast in Portugal is usually light. Many people start the day with a coffee and a pastry, such as a pão com manteiga (bread with butter) or a pastel de nata (our personal favorite).

Hotels tend to offer more extensive breakfast spreads, including bread, cheese, fruit, yogurt, eggs, and pastries. You can find great cafes throughout the country, which are perfect for a quick morning stop, or you can also experience more international brunch-style spots in cities like Lisbon and Porto.

🍤 Popular Foods in Portugal for Lunch

Lunch is an important meal in Portugal and is often the biggest of the day. Many restaurants offer affordable lunch menus featuring soup, a main dish, dessert, and coffee.

Popular foods in Portugal for lunch include grilled fish, rice dishes, stews, and meat plates served with potatoes or rice.

Coastal towns often have incredible seafood lunches, sometimes enjoyed with ocean views, especially on the islands.

🥩 Popular Foods in Portugal for Dinner

Dinner in Portugal is usually eaten later in the evening and can range from simple to very social. Meals often include soup, a main dish like seafood or meat, and a shared dessert. 

Popular Foods in Portugal

Now that you know what meals look like, let's take a deeper dive into the most popular foods in Portugal you need to try.

☕ Drinks in Portugal

• Portuguese wine from regions like Douro, Alentejo, and Vinho Verde, or from the islands like Terceira in the Azores which has wine made at volcanic vineyards
• Port wine: a local specialty wine to try, especially in Porto!
• Ginjinha: a cherry liqueur
• Fresh orange juice - perfect to add to your breakfast
• Espresso coffee - often just called “café”
• Licor Beirão: a traditional herbal liqueur
• Poncha: a punch with liquor that is popular in Madeira

🍢 Most Popular Foods in Portugal as Appetizers and Snacks

• Bolinho de bacalhau: codfish fritters
• Caldo verde: kale and potato soup
• Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato: clams with garlic and cilantro
• Presunto: Portuguese cured ham
• Sopa de Tomate à Alentejana: a tomato soup with egg on top
• Bolo do Caco: garlic bread served as a side or used for a sandwich
• Gambas ao Alhinho: baked shrimp in garlic and butter

🥘 Most Popular Foods in Portugal for Your Main Course

• Bacalhau à Brás: shredded cod with eggs and potatoes
• Grilled sardines: an absolute classis!
• Arroz de marisco: seafood rice
• Francesinha: famous sandwich from Porto
• Polvo à lagareiro: octopus with olive oil and potatoes
• Cozido à portuguesa: hearty meat and vegetable stew
• Bifana: shredded beef sandwich with a beer sauce
• Pao de Chourico: bread baked with sliced chorizo sausage inside
• Prego: meat sandwich
• Espetada: marinated beef skewers, particularly popular in Madeira

🥮 Most Popular Portuguese Desserts

• Pastel de nata: the most iconic dessert, a small custard tart
• Bolo de arroz: rice cake
• Toucinho do céu: almond cake
• Arroz doce: rice pudding
• Queijadas: sweet cheese pastries
• Churros: fried dough, often stuffed with sweet fillings
• Farturas: dough fried with cinnamon and sugar, typically sold at fairs

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Unique Culinary Experiences in Portugal

There are plenty of fun ways to experience popular foods in Portugal beyond just restaurants. If you're a foodie, then these culinary experiences are a must for your Portugal itinerary.

 Join a Portuguese Cooking Class

Portuguese cuisine is one of the most underrated in the world, and taking a cooking class allows you to learn all about how to make some of the most popular foods in Portugal. Classes also allow you to connect with locals, sip some wine, and whip up some delicious meals to enjoy and take back the recipes home with you.

Explore the Local Markets

If you're looking looking to try some of the most popular foods in Portugal, then you won't want to miss out on the different markets. Each city typically has a main market where you can find a variety of foods to try. It's a fun way to enjoy local flavors by tasting your way around the market, and you can also sign up for a market tour to get insights from a local.

🍷 Visit the Wineries

Portugal has incredible wine regions, and wine tasting is one of the best food-related activities in the country. You can visit vineyards in the Douro Valley, Alentejo, or even enjoy tastings in major cities, and even on the Portuguese islands which have their very own varieties.

🥃 Try a Port Wine Cellar Tour

If you plan on visiting Porto, visiting a port wine cellar in Vila Nova de Gaia is a must. Tours explain the history of port wine and include tastings of different styles and ages. It's one of the top bucket list activities in Portugal, and one of our favorite things to do in the city of Porto.

🛌 Sleep in a Wine Barrel

If you're looking for one of the top bucket list experiences in Portugal, then this needs to be on your list. Tucked away in the Douro Valley is a truly iconic hotel, where you can sleep inside giant wine barrels!

Quinta da Pacheca is a 5-star hotel which is known for it's unique sleeping arrangements, as well as being equipped with a spa, and some truly exceptional gastronomic and wine experiences.

Guided Food Tours

One of the best ways to enjoy some of the most popular foods in Portugal is by going on a guided food tour. In many cities and islands throughout the country you can join an expert through local markets, tavernas, and neighborhoods. It's fun, tasty, and one our top recommendations for enjoying the local cuisine.

Join a Pub Crawl

If you're visiting one of the big cities in Portugal, then experiencing the nightlife is a must! Joining a pub crawl is an excellent way to experience some of the best bars and have a fun night out with other travelers.

Popular Foods in Portugal: FAQ

Now you all of the most popular foods in Portugal and the best culinary experiences to sign up for. In case you missed anything though, here are a few answers to some frequently asked questions about food in Portugal that we've found across the internet.

Portugal Food Guide: Final Thoughts & What's Next

Now you have everything you need to eat and drink your way through Portugal. Here is a quick recap of the highlights:

• Many of the most popular foods in Portugal are simple and flavorful.
• Seafood plays a major role in Portuguese cuisine.
• Bacalhau and grilled sardines are essential dishes to try.
• If you are in Porto, francesinha is a must!
• Food in Portugal is affordable and high quality.
• Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.
• Desserts and coffee culture are an important part of daily life.
• Markets, food tours, cooking classes, and wine tastings are great ways to experience Portuguese food culture.
• If you have time on your Portugal itinerary, make sure to spend a night in the Douro Valley's wine barrels!

👀 What's Next?

Now that you know all about the most popular foods in Portugal, you may want to know more details about getting there, moving around, or specific activities to do around the country. We have guides about Porto, Lisbon, Madeira, and the Azores.

Here are a few other travel guides we have about Madeira and the Azores:

Here are the other guides we have about mainland Portugal:

✈️ How to get to Porto

🚗 How to get around Porto

🛶 Things to do in Porto

📖 Complete Porto Travel Guide

🇵🇹 Layover in Lisbon

Now you know all of the most popular foods in Portugal, and some food and drink activities around the county to experience! If you need any more help tasting your way around the country, simply drop your questions below in the comments.

Want to learn more about different destinations in Portugal? We have tons of other Portuguese Travel Guides for you from both the mainland and the islands. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you're able to stay up to date with our most recent travel guides, and for special discounts on our shop.

Ready to start planning the most epic trip to Portugal? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa offers customized travel planning services, so you can skip the stress of planning, and simply enjoy the perfect getaway. Take a peak at the travel planning packages we offer, or simply email us if you have any questions.

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