0
4

A Guide To The Top Places To Eat In Portugal

One of our favorite things about travel is trying different foods from all around the world! We have tried Haggis in Scotland, exquisite fresh fruit in Moorea, and yummy Chocolate con Churros in Spain! That is just the tip of the iceberg! This blog is all about the top places to eat in Portugal!

Portugal was one of our favorite places in regard to the food! From the fresh seafood to the savory pastries, we were in absolute heaven! It is one of our goals as we travel, to try as much of the local food of the country we are visiting as we can. We have not been disappointed yet!

The Portuguese specialize in many different foods, but the cod is where they are experts! There are many different ways they serve the codfish – including the “codfish cakes” which are my favorite! Their cuisine has a very strong Mediterranean influence which is reflected in the spices they use in their dishes!

Another main food item is pork, they have many different dishes using pork – including soup! Portugal also has many wonderful desserts and pastries too! They are famous for their egg tart pastries – we even had one on TAP Portugal as we were flying into Lisbon!

Traditional Foods:

Portugal, like any country, has many different traditional foods. We loved every single one we tried! Their dishes typically include meat, which is mostly fish or pork, and a filler; such as rice or vegetables – mixed with Mediterranean spices. Here are just a few of the dishes we tried! We highly recommend trying at least one, when you visit Portugal!

Pasteis de Bacalhau

On top of my list is the pateis de bacalhau or codfish cakes. These savory, yet perfectly cooked fritters are perfection and one of my favorites! I could literally eat these every day! The batter is actually made up of shredded codfish, potatoes, and eggs and seasoned with parsley. These fritters are then cooked to crispy goodness! You will typically find these in any Portuguese restaurant – they are usually eaten as a late snack or dinner.

Bacalhau à Brás

The next cod-fish inspired dish is bacalhau à brás. It was created by a man names ‘Bras’, in Lisbon. (Or so goes the story). This dish consists of codfish, eggs, and potatoes – so simple and so good! It almost reminds me of a shepherd’s or meat pie. I’m beginning to think Portugal food was made for me – how can you go wrong with dishes that consists of fish and potatoes?

Arroz de Tomate

This was a first for us in Portugal – tomato rice. We were surprised to see a bowl of rice combined with the most appetizing tomato sauce! Our waiter told us they make it with onions and other spices, adding it to the rice as it cooks. Usually paired with cod, or any type of fish, this is the perfect filler for any meal! I highly recommend giving this one a try!

Arroz de Marisco

Another type of rice to try in Portugal would be seafood rice. It can be made in a variety of ways – depending on the area. Shrimps, clams, lobster, and even monkfish, are just a few of the items you can add to the mix! If you are a seafood lover, you will not regret trying this dish! Usually eaten at dinner, this dish is the perfect combination of Portugal’s cuisine!

Places To Eat:

There are many different and wonderful places to eat in Portugal! And we wish we could have spent more time there, just to try out new restaurants! There are amazing rooftop bars in Lisbon, cozy cafes in Sintra, and beautiful overlooks at the restaurants in Cascais! You can eat very cheaply in Portugal – if you find the right spot. There are also several fine dining options as well.

Lisbon

Clube Do Peixe

This place was recommended to us and was right around the corner from our hotel. We were told to make a reservation; however, we were the only customers at the restaurant when we arrived at 7 pm. (Definitely, our American culture coming out, Europeans tend to eat very late). When we entered the restaurant, we were created by the owner and an entire counter full of fresh fish! The restaurant had the cutest decor; including blue checkered napkins and drippy candles. Our waiter was the friendliest and sweetest man! He told us stories of when he worked on an American cruise line and how we need to come back to Portugal soon!

We ordered the fried cod for an appetizer – and it was AMAZING! The cod was cooked to crispy perfection and it had the loveliest tangy sauce to compliment it! For the main course, I went beyond my usual order and tried the Scabbard! It was so yummy! The seasoned crispiness of the outside mixed with the savory fish was wonderful! My meal also came with a massive bowl of tomato rice. Seriously this bowl was huge! I definitely wished I could have taken some home with me!  Sam ordered a steak with fries – the best he has ever eaten.

**Total Price: Around $50

Belem

Queijadas de Belem

Belem was one of our favorite parts in Lisbon! It is the perfect spot to walk along the water, shop in cute boutiques, and experience the most delicious food! Perfectly situated right on the corner is Queijadas de Belem. There is outside seating available to experience the beautiful Portuguese weather! There is also a bar if you are looking for a quick drink and snack. We loved this place so much, we went back twice (for lunch and dinner).

Queijadas de Belem - great restaurant in Portugal. Portugal Food Guide | Popular Food Portugal | Portugal Food Dishes

They have a menu in Portuguese, English, and several other languages. It also gives a little description of each dish they serve. The staff are very friendly and helpful too! Keep in mind, everything they put on the table, you pay for; So if you do not wish for anything before your meal, you may tell them so. Although, we tried the bread the first time we were there, and it was delicious! For lunch, we ordered the Bolinhos de Bacalhau, or codfish cakes. They were mouthwatering – and cooked just right! This dish came with a small salad and tomato rice. For dinner, I ordered the codfish cakes again and Sam ordered a fish with potatoes.

**Total Price for lunch: Around $15

**Total Price for dinner: Around $30

Cascais

Paul

Cascais is the perfect beach town; filled with shops and all sorts of enjoyable restaurants! There are many rooftop bars and seaside views restaurants you can choose from. We just wanted a quick bite, so we stopped by Paul café. A cute French-inspired café situated in the square where you can enjoy gorgeous views of the water while you eat! There is an assortment of good eats from the menu; including sandwiches, soups, and salads!

My favorite is the ham and cheese sandwich! Sam loves the smoked salmon. You can order an assortment of hot drinks and small pastries as well. Cascais is the best place to enjoy a relaxing meal by the water. When you enter the café, they take your order right away, after you can find a seat to eat. There is an option to get your meal to go as well. We have one of these cafés back home in DC, we were so excited to see one in Portugal! I definitely recommend going for a quick bite!

**Total Price: Around $30

Pastries de Belem

When we were researching Portugal, we heard a lot about the famous Pastries de Belem. Of course, we had to try them out! We had arrived in the afternoon to find the line out the door and down the street! We decided to come back that evening in hopes the line would be shorter. Thankfully, the line had gone down when we returned! Pro tip: if you choose to eat inside the line is even shorter than getting something to go.

After we were seated, we ordered a small dinner of sandwiches. (They do have more of a variety, but we wanted to save room for the pastries!) After dinner, we ordered 4 of the traditional pastries! They were absolutely everything I dreamed they would be! The flaky pastry on the outside, with an exquisite creamy center – don’t forget the cinnamon or sugar on top! We paired the pastries with the most flavorful hot chocolate!

We came back the next night and got 6 pastries to go! They even came with their own cinnamon and sugar packet! Pastries de Belem had full pages of other pastries to try! You have to try the traditional pastry, but don’t forget about the other inviting pastries!

**Total Price of meal + pastries: Around $17

**Total price of 6 pastries: Around $8

Until the next destination!!

You Might Also Like

4 Comments

  • Reply
    Javanese
    March 7, 2019 at 4:38 pm

    Wow, it looks like the food in Portugal is very delicious. So I want to go there

    • Reply
      Emily and Sam
      April 2, 2019 at 10:45 am

      It is definitely something you cannot miss while in Portugal!

  • Reply
    Andrew Fox
    March 30, 2019 at 7:23 am

    It looks so delicious. And the images you have uploaded are so mouthwatering.

    Andrew | https://aimworkout.com/

    • Reply
      Emily and Sam
      April 2, 2019 at 10:42 am

      It is so delicious! We want to go back just for the food! 🙂

    Leave a Reply