Portuguese cuisine.
Start with a taste.

WHAT TO EAT

Local dishes, explained.

These are specialties from our featured city guides. Regional styles and availability vary.

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Pastel de nata

A small custard tart with crisp pastry, usually eaten with coffee.

Planning estimate: €1.50–3 each

Where to look: Pastelarias

Find Pastel de nata in Lisbon ↗Find Pastel de nata in Porto ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Bacalhau à Brás

Shredded salt cod with fine potato strips, onion and egg.

Planning estimate: €12–20

Where to look: Portuguese restaurants

Find Bacalhau à Brás in Lisbon ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Bifana

A pork sandwich; sauces and preparation differ by region.

Planning estimate: €4–7

Where to look: Snack bars and tascas

Find Bifana in Lisbon ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Caldo verde

Potato-and-greens soup, often with a slice of sausage. Ask about stock if vegetarian.

Planning estimate: €3–6

Where to look: Traditional cafés and tascas

Find Caldo verde in Lisbon ↗Find Caldo verde in Sintra ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Grilled sardines

A particularly seasonal summer choice, often served with bread or potatoes and peppers.

Planning estimate: €12–20

Where to look: Portuguese grills; ask about seasonal availability

Find Grilled sardines in Lisbon ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Francesinha

A rich meat-filled sandwich covered in cheese and sauce, sometimes topped with egg.

Tourism listing gives €12.50 average per person; check today’s menu

Where to look: Santiago da Praça, Praça dos Poveiros 82

Find Francesinha in Porto ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Sandes de pernil

Roast pork in a bread roll, with cheese available in some versions.

Planning estimate: €5–10

Where to look: Casa Guedes, Praça dos Poveiros 130

Find Sandes de pernil in Porto ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Cachorrinho

A small crisp hot-dog sandwich cut into bite-size pieces.

Check current menu

Where to look: Gazela, Travessa Cimo de Vila 4

Find Cachorrinho in Porto ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Bacalhau

Salt-cod dishes appear in many forms; ask how the house prepares it.

Planning estimate: €12–22

Where to look: Traditional tascos

Find Bacalhau in Porto ↗Find Bacalhau in Coimbra ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Travesseiro

Pillow-shaped puff pastry with an egg-and-almond filling.

Planning estimate: €2–4

Where to look: Casa Piriquita, Rua das Padarias 1

Find Travesseiro in Sintra ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Queijada de Sintra

A small sweet tart made with fresh cheese, eggs and cinnamon.

Planning estimate: €1.50–3 each

Where to look: Traditional Sintra pastry shops

Find Queijada de Sintra in Sintra ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Leitão de Negrais

Regional roast suckling pig; a proper meal rather than a street snack.

Check portion or sharing-platter price

Where to look: Regional restaurants around Sintra; verify availability

Find Leitão de Negrais in Sintra ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Mercês pork

A regional pork speciality associated with the Sintra area.

Check current menu

Where to look: Traditional regional restaurants

Find Mercês pork in Sintra ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Chanfana

Slow-cooked goat in red wine, associated with the surrounding region; allow time for a sit-down meal.

Current portion price must be checked on the menu; no live quote.

Where to look: Traditional Coimbra kitchens

Find Chanfana in Coimbra ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Leitão

Roast suckling pig is a regional speciality, often served with crisp skin.

Current portion price must be checked on the menu; no live quote.

Where to look: Regional restaurants; Bairrada is a separate outing

Find Leitão in Coimbra ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Pastel de Santa Clara

A convent-style almond and egg sweet; rich enough for a small coffee stop.

Current portion price must be checked on the menu; no live quote.

Where to look: Coimbra pastry shops

Find Pastel de Santa Clara in Coimbra ↗

LOCAL SPECIALTY

Arrufada

A local sweet bread bun, useful for breakfast or a light snack.

Current portion price must be checked on the menu; no live quote.

Where to look: Pastelaria Briosa and local bakeries

Find Arrufada in Coimbra ↗

GO STRAIGHT TO THE TABLE

Find restaurants by city.

Different places. Different flavours.

Compare the specialties and food neighbourhoods in our featured destinations. This is a starting selection, rather than a complete map of every regional cuisine.

Plan your food budget.

Examples from the city guides below. Planning estimates are per dish or stated portion, not a full-day allowance. Check service charges, drinks and current menus separately.