ExploFood · Europe
What to eat in Portugal
Five dishes to try in Portugal, the most typical first. One is vegetarian.
Five dishes to try in Portugal
Bacalhau
Dried salt cod, cooked in hundreds of ways.
How to have it: Try bacalhau à brás (with egg and fries) or com natas; Christmas Eve centres on it.
Pastel de nata
Flaky custard tart with a caramelised top.
How to have it: Eat warm with cinnamon and a bica (espresso); Belém in Lisbon is the classic place.
Francesinha
Meat-stuffed sandwich covered in melted cheese and a beer-tomato sauce.
How to have it: Porto's signature dish; served with fries and best shared, or with a cold beer.
Caldo verde
Potato and kale soup with a slice of chouriço.
How to have it: A cheap starter on most menus and a late-night street party staple at June festivals.
Bifana
Garlic-marinated pork cutlet in a soft bread roll.
How to have it: Ordered at a café counter with mustard and a cold beer; cheap and quick.
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Questions
What food is Portugal famous for?
Bacalhau (dried salt cod, cooked in hundreds of ways) comes first on our list, followed by Pastel de nata, Francesinha, Caldo verde and Bifana.
What is the national dish of Portugal?
Ask ten people and you get several answers. The dish we put first for Portugal is Bacalhau: dried salt cod, cooked in hundreds of ways. Try bacalhau à brás (with egg and fries) or com natas; Christmas Eve centres on it.
Which dishes in Portugal are vegetarian?
One of the five on this page is vegetarian as usually made: Pastel de nata. Recipes vary, so ask about stock, lard or fish sauce.
What street food should I try in Portugal?
Bifana (garlic-marinated pork cutlet in a soft bread roll).
How reliable is this list?
The dishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, where you can also tick off the ones you have tried. Recipes vary by region and by family, so take it as a starting point.
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Get ExploDishes are hand-picked from general knowledge in the Explo app, with links to Wikipedia. Recipes and names vary by region.