Dish Histories

Every iconic dish has a story. Dish Histories explores the origins, cultural traditions, and evolving recipes behind some of the world’s most beloved foods.

  • Pastel de Nata: Portugal’s Famous Custard Tart

    By Kimberly Williams | 03/15/2026

    Some foods become so closely tied to a place that they feel inseparable from the destination itself. In Lisbon, that sweet icon is the pastel de nata — a small custard tart with a flaky pastry shell and caramelized top that has become one of Portugal’s most beloved desserts. You’ll find pastéis de nata everywhere…

  • The Bifana: Portugal’s Classic Pork Sandwich

    By Kimberly Williams | 03/15/2026

    In Lisbon, one of the iconic foods is the bifana sandwich. The bifana is a humble pork sandwich that has become one of Portugal’s most beloved street foods. It’s served on a crusty roll and filled with thin slices of garlicky, marinated pork. The bifana proves that great flavor doesn’t have to be complicated. Some…

  • The Francesinha: Porto’s Legendary Portuguese Sandwich

    By Kimberly Williams | 03/15/2026

    A great sandwich can tell you everything about a city — its history, its flavors, and its personality. In Porto, that sandwich is the Francesinha, a decadent, sauce-covered creation that has become one of Portugal’s most iconic dishes. What Is a Francesinha? The Francesinha (pronounced frahn-seh-ZHEEN-yah) is Porto’s most famous sandwich and one of Portugal’s…