Food & Drink

The Best Places to Live in Portugal as a Vegan or Vegetarian

A group of fresh broad beans, some in their pods and some removed, displayed on a dark textured surface. One pod is open, revealing three light green beans next to it. The beans and pods have a natural, slightly uneven shape.

Portugal can be a fantastic place to live as a vegan or vegetarian. But you have to do your research. On one hand, somewhere like Lisbon has some of the best vegan and vegetarian food you will find anywhere in Europe. You can find vegan pastéis de nata, vegan versions of Portuguese dishes like alheira, arroz de pato, bitoque, and even arroz de polvo, along with plant-based bakeries, brunch spots, specialty shops, and cafés where oat milk or soy milk …

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20+ Foods That British Expats Living in Portugal Sometimes Miss

A serving of fish and chips on a tray lined with newspaper. The golden-brown battered fish is accompanied by a lemon wedge, a side of mushy peas, and a small cup of tartar sauce garnished with chopped chives. French fries are piled on the side.

You might think you won’t miss British food while living in Portugal, but every now and then you’ll get a craving for a taste of home. It could be something as simple as a bar of a cup of tea and toast (easy to replicate) or something more complicated like a pint of ale in a cozy pub.  Thankfully, there are a large number of British people living in Portugal and because of this, there are quite a few shops …

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How Much Do Groceries Cost in Portugal?

A supermarket aisle with well-stocked shelves displaying various products, including bottles of condiments, oils, and sauces on the right, and packaged food items on the left. Shoppers can be seen in the background with shopping carts. The floor is tiled.

Groceries are one of the biggest day-to-day costs that most people have and so you may be wondering how much it’ll cost you to do your weekly shopping in Portugal. Most people assume it’ll be cheaper – after all, wages are lower in Portugal – but that often depends on where you’re coming from and where you shop. Groceries are cheaper when compared to the US and Canada, but that’s not necessarily the case when you compare grocery costs to …

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20+ Foods That American Expats Living in Portugal Sometimes Miss

A stack of pancakes topped with melting butter, syrup, and a small American flag on a plate. Fresh strawberries and blueberries garnish the plate. Additional bowls of blueberries and strawberries are in the background. The scene is set outdoors.

Portugal has some fantastic food (pastéis de nata at the top of that list) but there are always some home comforts that you’re going to miss, regardless of where you’re from. Thankfully, you’ll be able to find a lot of these products in Portugal, particularly long-life products. However, some products (like dairy products) are harder to find, due to the distance, and some items are more related to American culture rather than a certain food (e.g. American-style takeaway coffees). If …

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