What to Eat in Portugal: 15 Portuguese Foods to Try

One of the first things I wondered when planning my trip was what to eat in Portugal. I had 10 days between Porto, Lisbon, and Lagos, so there was plenty of time, and plenty of meals, to try as many traditional Portuguese dishes as possible.

Seafood was what I looked forward to most. With Portugal’s long Atlantic coastline, you just know it’s going to be fresh and delicious. Grilled fish, octopus, and even sardines…I wanted to try it all.

But some of the most famous Portuguese foods aren’t seafood at all. I also couldn’t wait to try dishes like bifanas, francesinha, and those famous custard tarts everyone talks about.

If you’re wondering what to eat in Portugal, these are the dishes, drinks, and local bites that stood out to me most.

My solo travel in Portugal guide also covers my route through Porto, Lisbon, Lagos, and Faro, along with transportation tips and what it was like traveling there alone.

Thinking About a Food Tour in Portugal?

Even though I didn’t end up taking a walking food tour (mine was canceled at the last minute), I still think they’re one of the best ways to experience traditional Portuguese foods, especially if you’re traveling solo.

When you’re traveling alone, it’s hard to justify ordering a full plate of everything you want to try – there’s only so much one person can eat! A food tour solves that problem.

You can sample smaller portions of several dishes without committing to a huge meal, and you’ll learn a lot about Portuguese cuisine along the way.

A food tour is also a nice option if you’re still getting comfortable with eating alone while traveling.

Some food tours even stop at markets where you can meet vendors and learn how ingredients like olive oil, cheese, and bread are made.

If you’re planning your trip and wondering what to eat in Portugal, I’d definitely suggest checking out a few food tours in Lisbon or food tours in Porto.

What to Eat in Portugal

1. Sardines

I’ll be honest, I had never eaten sardines before coming to Portugal. I always pictured them as tiny hairy fish, like anchovies. I was so surprised when I saw how big they actually are! And I was even more surprised by how much I liked them!

First, I tried tinned sardines on the Pinhais Sardine Factory tour in Matosinhos near Porto. I know what you’re thinking. I was thinking it too. Canned sardines? Eww. But they were so rich and flavorful, a little salty, and had a soft meaty texture.

The real highlight, though, were the grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas) I had at O Carvoeiro in Lisbon. They were sprinkled with sea salt, smoky, and packed with flavor. The fish came whole, head and tail intact, which is how I held onto them. I ate them like corn on the cob, gently pulling the fish away from the bones.

Messy? Yes.
Worth it? Absolutely.

2. Bacalhau a Bras

Bacalhau a Bras

Bacalhau à Brás is a traditional cod dish in Portugal. It’s made by soaking salted cod to remove excess salt, then shredding it into small pieces. Thin matchstick potatoes are lightly fried, and onions are sautéed in olive oil until soft and fragrant.

Then the cod, potatoes, and onions are mixed together with beaten eggs, which lightly bind everything. Finally, black olives (and sometimes parsley) are added on top. The result is a big heaping plate of salty goodness.

3. Pastel de Nata

You can’t visit Portugal without trying a pastel de nata. Those little custard tarts are everywhere, especially in Lisbon and Porto. I had mine at Fábrica da Nata, where you can actually watch them being made through the glass window. It’s pretty cool to see the process – all that flaky pastry and creamy custard coming together.

If you’re in Lisbon, save half a day for visiting Belém, where you’ll find Pastéis de Belém, the bakery that still uses the original recipe from the 1800s. The tarts come out warm, with flaky layers and a creamy custard that is different from anywhere else. I tried other pastel de natas around Lisbon and Porto, and they were great, but the ones in Belém were the standout.

Interestingly, these tarts aren’t as common down south in Lagos. The Algarve has its own regional desserts so pastéis de nata aren’t baked fresh in every café the way they are in Lisbon or Porto. You can still find them, but they’re usually from larger bakeries rather than local ones.

Oh, and don’t forget to sprinkle the cinnamon on top no matter which ones you try!

4. Alheira

Alheira at Adega Sao Nicolau

I tried alheira at Adega São Nicolau in Porto, sitting outside overlooking the water in Porto. I had decided I wanted a lighter lunch (my intentions were good!) so instead of a full meal I ordered two appetizers: alheira and codfish croquettes. In my head, this was going to be a balanced, smart choice.

I thought alheira was going to be an actual sausage. It’s described as a bread and garlic sausage, it sounds like a sausage, it promises to be a sausage. But when it arrived, it was not sausage. It was a fried, golden-brown croquette with a soft filling. Then the codfish croquettes came… also fried, also golden-brown, also soft. So my “light” lunch was just two plates of crispy fried goodness, same texture, different flavors.

The flavor of the aheira itself was great though! Warm, savory, garlicky, and comforting.

But why is it described as a sausage?

Alheira has an interesting history. It was created in the 15th century when Jewish communities in Portugal were forced to convert to Christianity. They made sausages out of bread, garlic, and poultry instead of pork, but shaped them to look like pork sausages so no one would question their faith. It was a survival dish that became a staple of traditional Portuguese cuisine.

You travel. You learn.

5. Codfish Croquettes

And the codfish croquettes? Fantastic! Probably some of the best croquettes I’ve ever had.

They’re made by mixing shredded salted cod with mashed potatoes, fresh herbs, and sometimes a little cheese. That mixture is shaped into small cylinders, then breaded and fried until golden and crispy on the outside.

The inside stays soft and flavorful so you get that perfect bite. Who knew cod, potatoes, and herbs can turn into something so comforting and delicious? Just don’t order them alongside alheira. LOL

6. Portuguese Cheese

Portugal has some really great cheeses, especially if you like creamy and flavorful varieties. You’ll see a few common ones: Serra da Estrela, which is soft and spoonable; Azeitão, which is also creamy but a bit tangier; and São Jorge, a firmer, sharper cheese from the Azores that tastes a little like aged cheddar. All different, all delicious in their own way.

Now, my cheese board moment. I thought I was being reasonable by ordering a small cheese plate one afternoon. Something light. Something snack-y. Except what arrived was a cheese board big enough to feed a group!

So there I was, solo traveler, working my way through enough cheese for at least three people. Honestly, no regrets. It became one of those funny travel memories and a very tasty lunch. If you’re traveling solo, a cheese board is actually a great way to try several Portuguese cheeses at once. Just maybe ask the size first.

7. Francesinha

If there’s one dish that’s really unique to Porto, it’s the francesinha. It’s a layered sandwich with bread, ham, Portuguese smoked sausage, thin steak, melted cheese, and a rich tomato and beer gravy poured over the top.

If that isn’t enough, you can even get it with a fried egg on top.

Definitely not what my doctor would recommend. But we are in Portugal, and travel calories don’t count, right?

I went to Café Santiago in Porto which is known for making one of the best francesinhas in the city. Since I was by myself, I grabbed a spot at the counter. Highly recommend if you’re solo. Not only is it easier to snag a seat, but I could also watch them being made, which honestly was half the fun. It’s like a little culinary assembly line. Layer, grill, melt, pour. Repeat.

It’s not elegant or light or seafood. But it’s one of those Porto experiences you should try at least once.

Café Santiago fits easily into a three-day Porto itinerary, especially if you’re already exploring the area around Bolhão Market and the Chapel of Souls.

8. Octopus

Octopus was one of the things I was looking forward to most, and Portugal didn’t disappoint. I had octopus salad at the Time Out Market in Porto (photo at the top of the post), octopus rice in Porto, and grilled octopus during my one day in Faro.

I’ve had some pretty good octopus in the States but octopus in Portugal is beyond next level good! The most tender and flavorful I’ve ever eaten and my favorite Portuguese seafood dish!

If you’re still wondering what to eat in Portugal, it’s octopus!

9. Ginjinha

In Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood, I discovered ginjinha. It’s a sour cherry liqueur sweetened with sugar, sometimes served in a little chocolate shot cup. What I loved most was wandering Alfama, turning a corner, and finding grandmothers selling their own homemade versions from tiny folding tables down narrow streets.

Trying ginjinha while wandering through Alfama was one of my favorite things to do in Lisbon.

Definitely try it in the chocolate cup. It tastes like the best chocolate-covered cherry ever!

I’m kicking myself for not bringing some ginjinha back home with me.

10. Vinho Verde

Vinho Verde literally means “green wine,” though it’s not actually green in color. It’s called green because it’s a young wine. Vinho verde is also low in alcohol and, as you can see in my pics above, goes perfect with grilled octopus and Portuguese cheese.

Mostly produced in the Minho region, vinho verde is one of Portugal’s most popular wines.

11. Toasties and Fresh Orange Juice

Toasties are a traditional Portuguese breakfast sandwich. They are similar to grilled panini but so much better.

I had ham and cheese toasties at Fábrica da Nata in Porto and again in Lisbon. And when I was in Faro I tried a tuna toastie which was fabulous. Kinda like a tuna melt.

Don’t pass up the fresh-squeezed orange juice either. It was incredible! So vibrant and refreshing. Portugal produces amazing oranges, especially in the Algarve.

12. Frango Piri Piri

Piri-piri chicken is bone-in, marinated in spicy sauce, and grilled. I tried it, but I didn’t care for it. It was too hard to eat with the bone and very spicy.  Piri chicken is a classic of Portuguese cuisine, with peppers brought from Africa centuries ago, but I still didn’t care for it.

Chicken piri-piri usually comes with french fries and salad. Actually, you’ll find french fries are served as a side with a lot of dishes in Portugal.

13. Bifana

My first bifana was in Porto on a Sunday around 6:30 pm. Many places are closed on Sunday and dinner in Portugal happens closer to 8:00 pm, so finding something open was a struggle.

Then I stumbled upon Mago, which has been around since 1974.

The restaurant had hardly anyone there, so I picked a table outside. The staff was attentive, and the bifana was filled with tender, juicy pork on the softest bun. It was perfect.

Bifanas are considered Portuguese street food and you’ll find them all over Portugal.

14. Super Bock

I know, this is a post about what to eat in Portugal and this is another drink, but you should really try it while you’re here.

I don’t care for carbonation so I’m not usually a beer drinker. But Super Bock was light, refreshing, and easy to drink. It’s also Portugal’s most popular beer.

Super Bock is lager-style with about 5% alcohol, and you’ll find it nearly everywhere. It’s perfect with just about anything.

15. Port Wine