Portugal food guide
Portugal food guide
Discover diverse flavours, fresh produce and the best coffee with our Portugal food guide...
Pasteis de nata
Pasteis de nata are basically egg tarts but amazing. Created by monks before the 18th century, they come sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon and are served with a Bica (strong, espresso coffee). Head out to Belem to the Pasteis de Belem shop for the best ones!
Bifana
Bifana is a traditional Portuguese sandwich with thin slices of pork. In the north the meat is seasoned in a big pot with spicy sauce , whereas in the south the meat is more garlicy and not spicy at all.
Prego
Prego is a popular sandwich is the beef version of Bifana, but with garlic and onions. Traditionally a poor man’s sandwich, Prego is now served on a variety of different breads, such as the bolo do cacao from Madeira.
Bacalhau
Bacalhau is one of the most celebrated ingredients in Portuguese cuisine. This dried and salted cod was fished by the Portuguese all the way back to the 14th century. Try dishes such as Bacalhau com Natas and Bacalhau à Brás to experience its full flavour.
Caldo Verde
Caldo Verde is a popular soup made up of collard greens, potatoes, olive oil, black pepper and salt. A beloved staple of Portuguese cuisine, this tasty soup meaning ´green broth´ comes from the north of the country and is one of the healthiest, due to the kale and collard.
Alheira
Alheira is a type of Portuguese sausage, made with a variety of meats and bread. The texture is quite stodgy but delicious! You can find them in the traditional horseshoe shape. It is believed that the original alheira was created during the Inquisition by Portuguese Jews who had to practice Jewish tradition in secret. To pass as Christians, they started producing sausages but would replace the traditional pork meat with poultry and game!
Cozido
Cozido is a traditional stew of different boiled meats and winter vegetables. It is a classic winter meal in Portugal and appears in numerous variations across the country but the original recipe is succinctly named cozido à portuguesa.
Sardines
Sardines served between slices of bread or straight on a plate, sardines are a beloved dish of Portugal. You can literally smell them everywhere during the summer months! For authentic taste they should be salted, grilled and served with salad and rice. Portuguese people will tell you May is the perfect time to buy sardines although March to August is regarded as sardine season.
Arroz de Marisco
Arroz de Marisco is a typical seafood rice with tomatoes. Using a variety of seafood such as prawns, clams and mussels, this traditional dish from the Leiria region is more of a thick stew than the Spanish paella and is obviously popular in coastal regions with a fishing community.
CLASSIC PORTUGAL
Classic Portugal is a luxury tours and bespoke tours agency, based in Lisbon and founded by Hayley Sercombe. As travel designers we thrive on curating private tours and custom travel across Portugal. We design intimate experiences to make your trip to Portugal especially memorable. Uncover a unique journey though Portugal and its wonders: gastronomy, art, culture, wellness and more all await you. From prestigious wineries to chic beach clubs; from sleepy, hidden villages to dazzling city nights; from luxurious spas to Michelin star restaurants, your luxury, curated trip will include all the best Portugal has to offer.
Portugal is a European gem, with distinct locations and beautiful scenery. We seek out the best of Portugal, so designing tours and events for our clients which they will carry in their hearts forever. Our travel specialities include luxury winery tours, family trips, honeymoons, culinary trips and company incentive trips. We partner with some of the most acclaimed luxury hotels, wineries and restaurants in Portugal. All of our bespoke travel itineraries are private and personal. We publish your itinerary in our travel app, giving you constant visibility and access to your luxury trip. Our professional chauffeurs and certified tour guides guarantee you are taken good care of and have the most wonderful experience of this beautiful, warm and charming country.
Our vision as a luxury tour company in Portugal is to offer world-class client services, with meticulously designed travel itineraries and the most luxurious experiences. We will take care of all your needs and desires in Portugal. Our values are important to us. We are culturally aware and experienced in working with global clients in a transparent and communicative way. Our mission to be one of the leading luxury tour and event companies in Portugal with leading travel experts and trip specialists for luxury journeys across Portugal. Please see our Tour Collection programme for inspiration or we will create a bespoke trip for you.