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Food in Portugal is shaped by its coastal location and rich history, featuring a mix of seafood, meats, and bold seasonings. Most Portuguese meals include fish, rice, bread, or potatoes, often cooked with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. The most famous dish is bacalhau, a salted cod prepared in countless ways. Other popular foods include grilled sardines, caldo verde (kale soup), bifana (pork sandwich), and pastel de nata (custard tart). Portuguese food is flavorful and comforting, with strong regional variations. Today, many traditional Portuguese dishes are enjoyed worldwide and celebrated for their simplicity and distinctive taste.
Top 10 Food In Portugal
Here’s a selection of the most delicious and iconic food in Portugal, highlighting the bold flavours, local ingredients and deep – rooted food traditions:
1. Bacalhau A’ Brás
Photo: Avicentegil / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Bacalhau à Brás is made with a unique mix of onions, salted cod, and fried potatoes which are thinly cut. The mixture is then filled with scrambled eggs, making it ideal for tourists seeking unique food experiences. It’s one of the most famous food in Portugal, which is mostly preferred in Lisbon. Garnished with black olives and parsley, it’s both hearty and satisfying. This dish is often found in family kitchens and casual eateries. It brings together texture and flavour in a way that reflects the country’s deep connection to cod-based recipes.
Popular Places To Try: Lisbon, Porto, Algarve
Worldwide Variations: Salted cod scramble
2. Francesinha
Photo: Nelson Rocha / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Francesinha is a heavy sandwich stuffed with cured meats, steak, and sausage, covered in melted cheese and drenched in a rich tomato and beer sauce. It is considered the best food in Portugal, especially in Porto. Served with fries and often a fried egg, this is a bold and indulgent meal. It reflects Portuguese creativity in adapting foreign styles, in this case, a twist on the French croque-monsieur, with heavier, heartier ingredients and a signature sauce.
Popular Places To Try: Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Braga
Worldwide Variations: Portuguese croque-monsieur
3. Pastel de Nata
Photo: helmut.weigel / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Pastel de Nata is a small egg custard tart with a flaky pastry crust and caramelised top, often finished with cinnamon or sugar. It’s one of the most famous foods in Portugal, sold at nearly every bakery. Originating in Lisbon, it’s best eaten warm. The combination of creamy filling and crisp shell makes it a favourite with coffee. This simple sweet represents Portuguese baking at its best and has gained global popularity for good reason.
Popular Places To Try: Lisbon (Belém), Porto, Sintra
Worldwide Variations: Portuguese custard tart
4. Bifana
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Bifana is a popular street food in Portugal, made from marinated pork slices cooked in garlic and spices and served in a crusty roll. It’s affordable, tasty, and often eaten on the go. Some versions come with mustard or piri-piri sauce for extra heat. Found at festivals, cafés, and roadside stalls, it’s beloved for its simplicity. Whether as a quick lunch or a late-night snack, this sandwich shows how flavourful everyday Portuguese food can be.
Popular Places To Try: Lisbon, Setúbal, Coimbra
Worldwide Variations: Portuguese pork sandwich
5. Caldo Verde
Photo: RitaE / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Caldo Verde is a traditional soup made with potatoes, onions, and thin strips of kale, with a few slices of chouriço for flavour. It’s one of the most famous foods in Portugal, particularly in the north. Light yet filling, it’s typically eaten with cornbread and served at family meals and celebrations. The creamy base from mashed potato and the greens create a wholesome balance. It’s simple, satisfying, and rooted in Portuguese home cooking.
Popular Places To Try: Porto, Braga, Viana do Castelo
Worldwide Variations: Green soup
6. Arroz de Marisco
Photo: Cayetano Delgado / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Arroz de Marisco is among the best food in Portugal which is a seafood rice dish with prawns, clams, mussels, and squid simmered in a tomato-based broth. Similar to risotto in texture, it’s rich and comforting. Found mostly in coastal regions, it’s regarded as one of the ideal foods in Portugal for tourists seeking seafood and for general food enthusiasts. It’s typically served in large pots for sharing. The flavours are layered, garlicky, and slightly spicy, capturing the essence of Portugal’s Atlantic coast in every bite.
Popular Places To Try: Algarve, Lisbon, Aveiro
Worldwide Variations: Portuguese seafood rice
7. Polvo A’ Lagareiro
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Polvo à Lagareiro features an octopus that’s first boiled, then grilled, and served with mashed potatoes, garlic and olive oil. This is one of the best foods in Portugal, especially near the coast. Tourists visiting Portugal can try out this octopus dish, which is tender and infused with strong garlic flavours. Additionally, tourists can mostly enjoy Polvo à Lagareiro on festive occasions or weekends. It is an ideal dish that reflects the country’s deep-rooted seafood tradition and love for olive oil-based cooking.
Popular Places To Try: Lisbon, Nazaré, Setúbal
Worldwide Variations: Grilled octopus Portuguese style
8. Sardinhas Assadas
Photo: Duarte Briz / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Sardinhas Assadas are grilled sardines cooked over charcoal and often eaten whole with potatoes and salad. This dish is especially popular during summer festivals like the Feast of St. Anthony. It’s a staple street food in Portugal that celebrates fresh, seasonal fish. The smoky flavour and slightly charred skin make it a favourite in coastal towns. Served with bread or salad, it’s a rustic and flavourful expression of the country’s fishing culture.
Popular Places To Try: Lisbon, Cascais, Portimão
Worldwide Variations: Grilled sardines
9. Alheira de Mirandela
Photo: Lichinga / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Alheira de Mirandela is a Portuguese sausage made with bread and meats like chicken or game, seasoned with garlic. Originally made by Jews to appear non-Kosher during persecution, today it is the most famous food in Portugal. Alheira de Mirandela is mostly grilled or fried and is served with rice, fries, or salad. It offers tourists a garlicky and smoky taste with a soft texture due to the bread content. It’s a great example of how food tells a story of survival in Portugal.
Popular Places To Try: Mirandela, Bragança, Guimarães
Worldwide Variations: Portuguese bread sausage
10. Leitão Assado
Photo: Adriao / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Leitão Assado is a slow-roasted suckling pig marinated in garlic, bay leaves, and white wine. It’s considered one of the most famous foods in Portugal, particularly in the Bairrada region. The crispy skin contrasts beautifully with the tender, juicy meat. Tourists can try out this dish, which is mostly eaten on special occasions and is served with potatoes, salad, and sometimes orange slices. This dish reflects Portuguese mastery of roast meats and is deeply associated with family feasts and celebration meals.
Popular Places To Try: Bairrada, Mealhada, Coimbra
Worldwide Variations: Portuguese roast pig
The food in Portugal is diverse, offering an array of flavours, from rich meats to fresh seafood and sweet treats. Whether you’re looking for famous food like Pastel de Nata or exploring new dishes like Bacalhau, there’s something for every taste. Book your trip with TripXL and enjoy the authentic flavours of Portugal on your next visit to this beautiful country.
Cover Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin / Wikimedia Commons
