What to eat when in Portugal – 15 Must Eats
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal (or just daydreaming about one), let me tell you—come hungry. This country knows how to do food. From flaky pastries that pair perfectly with coffee to seafood dishes that taste like the Atlantic itself gave you a hug, Portuguese cuisine is full of soul, flavor, and surprises. Whether you’re wandering the cobbled streets of Lisbon, chilling by the Douro River in Porto, or sunbathing in the Algarve, you’ll find something delicious around every corner.
So to help you eat your way through this beautiful country, I’ve rounded up 15 absolute must-try dishes that’ll have you planning your next meal before you’ve even finished your first bite. Let’s eat!
Hey! Just a little heads-up : ) this post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!) if you make a purchase through them. I only recommend things I truly love or find helpful. Thank you so much for supporting my blog!
The Classics
1. Francesinha
Francesinha is probably one of the most popular dishes from Portugal. Translated, it means “the little French girl”. It is said that the name comes from the fact that the sandwich is inspired by the French sandwich “Croque Monsieur”. The rich Francesinha sandwich originated in Porto and consists of toast, cooked ham, linguiça, beefsteak, or roasted beef. It is topped with melted cheese and a hot, typically thick sauce of tomatoes, beer, and mustard.
2. Bacalhau
Bacalhau is the preparation of salted cod, a form of clipfish traditionally used in Portugal and Brazil. Clipfish is salted and then air-dried sea fish. In Spain, very similar preparations are common under the name bacalao.
This Portuguese national dish, bacalhau, is one of the national symbols of Portugal. It is frequently thematized in literature, visual arts, theater, film, and photography.
What to eat when in Portugal – 15 Must Eats
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal (or just daydreaming about one), let me tell you—come hungry. This country knows how to do food. From flaky pastries that pair perfectly with coffee to seafood dishes that taste like the Atlantic itself gave you a hug, Portuguese cuisine is full of soul, flavor, and surprises. Whether you’re wandering the cobbled streets of Lisbon, chilling by the Douro River in Porto, or sunbathing in the Algarve, you’ll find something delicious around every corner.
So to help you eat your way through this beautiful country, I’ve rounded up 15 absolute must-try dishes that’ll have you planning your next meal before you’ve even finished your first bite. Let’s eat!
Hey! Just a little heads-up : ) this post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!) if you make a purchase through them. I only recommend things I truly love or find helpful. Thank you so much for supporting my blog!
The Classics
1. Francesinha
Francesinha is probably one of the most popular dishes from Portugal. Translated, it means “the little French girl”. It is said that the name comes from the fact that the sandwich is inspired by the French sandwich “Croque Monsieur”. The rich Francesinha sandwich originated in Porto and consists of toast, cooked ham, linguiça, beefsteak, or roasted beef. It is topped with melted cheese and a hot, typically thick sauce of tomatoes, beer, and mustard.
2. Bacalhau
Bacalhau is the preparation of salted cod, a form of clipfish traditionally used in Portugal and Brazil. Clipfish is salted and then air-dried sea fish. In Spain, very similar preparations are common under the name bacalao.
This Portuguese national dish, bacalhau, is one of the national symbols of Portugal. It is frequently thematized in literature, visual arts, theater, film, and photography.
