Food & Drink

Porto’s Food Will Make You Want to Move Here. Start With These Dishes

A metal serving dish filled with a hearty Portuguese stew of white beans, chunks of meat, and garnished with chopped fresh parsley. A spoon rests inside the dish, and it sits on a blue and white patterned plate.

Tripas

People moving to Portugal tend to agonize over the same questions: Lisbon or Porto? Coast or city? Affordable or very affordable? Here’s one factor that doesn’t get enough attention: Porto has some of the best traditional Portuguese food in the country, and it’s food you can only really get in Porto. Yes, Porto has pizza, ramen, sushi, burgers, vegan cafés, brunch spots, and all the usual international options. You’ll also find Portuguese classics from across the country, including pastéis de …

Reality check before we dive in: Portuguese food is generally simple, fresh, and comforting rather than spicy or sauce-heavy. If you’re expecting Thai/Mexican “boom-pow” flavours every meal, you’ll think it’s plain. If you lean into great ingredients, grills, stews, soups, and the right regional spots, you’ll eat very well. This guide sets expectations honestly and shows you how to order for maximum flavour. There are hundreds of Portuguese dishes (and more than 365 ways to cook bacalhau alone), but most …

A plate of cozido," featuring chunks of tender beef shank with visible bone, surrounded by vegetables including corn, cabbage, potatoes, and green beans, all served in a broth. The plate is set on a white textured tablecloth reminiscent of Portugal's rustic charm.

If you’re visiting the Azores, the first question you have is probably: what should I eat? Don’t worry! I had exactly the same one. I’ve travelled across all 9 islands of the Azores, sampling all of the wonderful different foods that these islands have to offer. This is a unique chance to try Azorean cuisine, which is very hard to find outside of these islands. There are some restaurants specialising in Azorean food in mainland Portugal, but overall, Azorean dishes …

A piece of caramel flan with a glossy top sits on a white square plate. Caramel sauce is spread around the flan, reminiscent of traditional Portuguese desserts. A spoon rests on the plate next to the indulgent treat.

Pudim Abade de Priscos

From Bom Jesus do Monte to Braga Cathedral, there’s plenty to see and do in Braga. But for foodies, a more important question is: what’s there to eat? The following are five of the most popular regional dishes that you should try in Braga. Bacalhau à Braga Portugal has lots of different recipes for its national dish. Some say there are more than 365, while others say that there are more than 1,000. Either way, that’s a lot of dishes. …

A white plate contains a creamy beige dish garnished with several prawns arranged in a circle. In the center, there is a raw egg yolk. Fresh green herbs are sprinkled throughout the dish, adding a touch of color.

Migas

Welcome to the culinary world of the Alentejo, a region in Portugal renowned for its rich gastronomic heritage. Alentejo food reflects the region’s rustic charm, so expect hearty and satisfying dishes that are characterised by bread and meat. Ready? Let’s embark on a journey through Alentejo’s gastronomic delights, and experience the unique flavours and wholesome dishes that make this region a true culinary gem. Açorda à Alentejana Let’s begin our culinary adventure with a classic Alentejo dish, Açorda à Alentejana. …

A historical town square with a central statue atop a tall pedestal surrounded by a circular garden with yellow flowers. The background features colorful multi-story buildings, outdoor café seating, and people walking under a bright blue sky.

If you’re visiting Coimbra, or lucky enough to live there, the big question you’ll be asking yourself is: what should I eat? You’ll find all the most common Portuguese dishes in Portugal, for example, caldo verde soup, bacalhau dishes like bacalhau com natas and bacalhau à bras, and grilled fish. But those are dishes that you’ll find all over Portugal and you may have tried them plenty of times before. So, instead, look out for a few local dishes that …

While most people visit the Algarve for its warm weather and beautiful beaches, the region’s gastronomy is a hidden gem, offering a rich array of regional Portuguese dishes that you probably have never heard of before. Even within Portugal, Algarve cuisine isn’t particularly renowned, particularly when compared to the food of the North and Alentejo. Yet, there are quite a few regional dishes that are absolutely deserving of your attention — and your palette. The Algarve proudly presents iconic dishes …

A slice of chocolate cake dusted with powdered sugar on top sits on a white plate. The cake appears dense and moist, and a silver fork rests beside it on the plate.

“Would you like to see the dessert menu?” is a question that doesn’t need to be asked in Portugal. Why? Because it’s just assumed you will be having dessert: a meal, and especially a meal out, just wouldn’t be a proper meal if it didn’t have dessert as well. The dessert menu usually has around 5-10 items on it, and the menus don’t tend to differ hugely from one restaurant to another. Desserts like pudim flan and molotov almost always …

A sugared pastry on a white plate rests on a marble surface. The pastry has a golden-brown crust and is rectangular in shape, reminiscent of the delectable treats found in Portugal.

When it comes to Portuguese pastries and cakes, most people have heard of the pastel de nata (or Portuguese custard tart as it’s often called outside of Portugal). It’s probably the best Portuguese cake, but it’s far from the only one. There are hundreds of different Portuguese cakes and pastries, and that’s before you take into account regional variations. I’ve tried lots of them (hence all the photos) and I’m here to share some of my favourites. The following is …

A plate with a sandwich made of ham, cheese, and a croissant sits next to a glass of frothy coffee on a saucer with a spoon, and two packets of sugar on a dark marbled table.

A typical meal at a Portuguese coffee - A galão coffee with a croissant mixta (ham and cheese)

In Portugal, life revolves around coffee. People drink it from first thing in the morning and often right up until late evening — it’s not uncommon for people to finish a meal at 10 or 11 pm and have a coffee after. Beyond the coffee itself, there’s the pastelaria or coffee shop. Portuguese life revolves around the coffee shop and you will find at least one in every neighbourhood. Often, there will be two or three, and they will almost …

Food & Drink

Porto’s Food Will Make You Want to Move Here. Start With These Dishes

What Portuguese Food Is Really Like (& 18 Dishes To Try)

Azores Food: 20+ Azorean Dishes You Have to Eat

Braga Food: Six Regional Dishes to Try in Braga

Alentejo Food: 9 Regional Dishes That You Have to Eat

Coimbra Food: The Best Typical Foods To Try in Coimbra

Algarve Foods: 10+ Local Dishes You Have to Try

25+ Portuguese Desserts To Say Yes To

20+ Portuguese cakes and pastries to try before you die

Coffee in Portugal: What to Order & How