Tastes of Portugal: What We Ate & Loved Across Lisbon, Porto and Beyond
Portugal fed us more than once—it fed our curiosity, our sense of place, and our appreciation for simplicity done well. This guide isn’t about chasing what’s trendy or Michelin-starred—it’s about the food experiences that stayed with us. It’s about the food experiences that stayed with us—meals that felt like stories, markets that pulsed with local life, and sweets that surprised us in their quiet perfection. From coastal towns to vineyard valleys, these are the food experiences we’d go back for in a heartbeat—and a few we’re glad we experienced at least once.
Last Updated: April 2026 – Expanded with new Portugal restaurant recommendations, local food experiences, and key updates including closures, relocations, and restaurant name changes.
What to Eat in Portugal (Quick Guide)
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, these are a few foods you’ll see again and again:
- Pastéis de nata (custard tarts)
- Francesinha (Porto’s iconic sandwich)
- Bifana (a simple, flavorful pork sandwich you’ll find throughout Lisbon)
- Bacalhau (salt cod dishes)
- Ovos moles (traditional sweets from Aveiro)
- Local wines from the Douro Valley
We tried all of these in different ways throughout the trip—some we’d go back for immediately, and a few we’re glad we experienced at least once.
If you’d rather jump to a specific part of the trip, here’s a quick guide:
Nazaré: Rosa dos Ventos
Tucked into a narrow cobbled lane just off the main streets of Nazaré, Rosa dos Ventos is the kind of place you remember long after your plate is cleared. One brother runs the kitchen. The other catches the fish. The restaurant is small, cozy, and covered in fishing nets and faded photographs. There’s no pretension here—just the freshest local seafood, grilled simply and served with rustic sides and local wine. It’s not just a restaurant. It’s a story you sit down in.
We had the fresh fish of the day—simple, incredibly fresh, and easily our favorite meal in Nazaré. This spot is still going strong with a 4.8-star rating and thousands of reviews. After eating here, I completely understand why.
→ Read the full post: Rosa dos Ventos in Nazaré
Coimbra: Solar do Bacalhau
In a city rich with academic heritage and historic bridges, Solar do Bacalhau gave us a welcome pause. It’s where we tried Port wine for the first time and explored Portugal’s deep connection to bacalhau (cod), prepared in countless traditional ways.
Recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand for its quality and value, this spot offers a more traditional and approachable dining experience in Coimbra.
While it wasn’t the most standout meal of the trip, the warmth of the space and that first sip of Port made it a memorable part of the experience.
Douro Valley: Quinta da Pacheca
The food was good—but the experience elevated it into something special. At Quinta da Pacheca, we toured the vineyards, learned about the winemaking process, and enjoyed a guided tasting in their dedicated wine tasting space.
Dinner was served in the restaurant, where we sampled local cheeses, cured meats, and regional dishes paired with wines from the estate. The setting felt relaxed but refined, and the full experience—from vines to table—made it unforgettable.
The experience didn’t end at dinner—we stayed overnight in one of their iconic wine barrels, which made the entire visit feel even more immersive.
→ Read more about our wine barrel stay at Quinta da Pacheca
Porto: Classic Dishes, Creative Dining, and Unexpected Stops
Porto gave us a mix of traditional local specialties, more refined modern meals, and a few memorable stops that added personality to the city. It’s the kind of place where you can try something iconic like a francesinha, then pivot to a more thoughtful tasting menu or a beautifully designed restaurant that feels entirely different from what came before.
Modern Dining in Porto
We also dined at Gruta, a restaurant that quietly captures the essence of modern Porto dining. The space was natural and minimalist—pared down to textures and intention rather than ornament. It offered that balance I always appreciate: food that feels elevated and creative, yet still approachable.
Located on Rua de Santa Catarina and led by chef Rafaela Louzada, Gruta focuses on fresh seafood with influences from both Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine. Recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand (awarded for high-quality food at reasonable prices), the experience was thoughtful and refined without being overly formal—letting the ingredients take center stage.
For a more intimate and contemporary side of Porto’s dining scene, we dined at Fauno. The space felt warm and understated, allowing the focus to remain on the experience rather than the setting itself. It offered that same balance of thoughtful, ingredient-driven cooking—refined without being overly formal.
Located on Rua Estreita dos Lóios and led by brothers Pedro and Tiago Amorim, Fauno offers a seasonal tasting menu built around locally sourced ingredients. Recognized in the Michelin Guide, the experience was curated and intentional, with each course building on the last in a way that made the meal feel cohesive rather than rushed.
Note: Not to be confused with Fauna & Flora, a popular and more casual café in Lisbon with a similar name.
A Porto Classic You Have to Try
No visit to Porto feels complete without trying a francesinha, the city’s famously rich and over-the-top sandwich layered with meat, melted cheese, and sauce. It’s heavy, indulgent, and absolutely a rite of passage.
→ Read our full francesinha experience in Porto
We had our francesinha at O Afonso, a no-frills restaurant with a tribute to Anthony Bourdain, who once dined here and helped put Porto’s most iconic sandwich on the global map. The sandwich itself was indulgent—layers of sausage, steak, ham, cheese, and beer sauce—messy, and very much a Porto experience—definitely not an everyday meal, but one that feels essential while you’re there.
Local Spots & Unexpected Finds
Some of our favorite moments in Porto came from the places we didn’t necessarily plan for.
Just outside the city center, we made our way to Foz do Douro, where the river meets the Atlantic. With its lighthouse views, coastal walkways, and slower pace, it offered a completely different side of Porto—one that felt quieter and more relaxed after time in the city.
While we were there, we came across a spot that blended restaurant, bar, and retail—Bondlair—with a small shop tucked into the back. It was one of those places you don’t plan for but end up remembering.
The space feels intentionally designed, with warm lighting, clean lines, and shelves lined with bottles and curated pieces. What initially feels like a wine bar slowly reveals itself as something more—a concept store built around bespoke tailoring, menswear, and a chef-driven culinary experience tucked into the back.
It’s the kind of place that doesn’t fit neatly into one category. Part bistro, part showroom, part experience—it’s designed for lingering. We found ourselves staying longer than planned, drawn in as much by the atmosphere as anything on the menu.
A Quick Stop: McDonald’s Imperial
Often called one of the most beautiful McDonald’s locations in the world, this Porto landmark is worth a quick stop—even if you don’t plan to eat.
Set inside a historic building with stained glass, chandeliers, and ornate details, it feels more like stepping into a café than a fast-food restaurant.
Located in the Praça da Liberdade / Avenida dos Aliados area, the setting adds to the experience. Surrounded by grand architecture, historic buildings, and one of Porto’s main gathering spaces, it reflects a different side of the city—one where even a familiar name like McDonald’s takes on a sense of place.
It’s a quick, unexpected stop that adds a little personality—and perspective—to your time in Porto.
Aveiro: Ovos Moles
You’ll find these delicate sweets everywhere in Aveiro—small shells or barrel shapes filled with a rich egg yolk cream. We tried ours from a pastelaria near the canal, and it was a perfect match: sweet, small, and steeped in tradition. Made with just egg yolks and sugar, wrapped in a wafer shell, and served up like little edible pieces of art.
Lisbon: Where the Trip Came Together
From Michelin-starred dining to historic cafés and creative markets, Lisbon delivered some of the most memorable food experiences of our trip.
Michelin Dining in Lisbon
Our very first meal in the city set the tone. We dined at Alma in the Chiado neighborhood, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant that blends Portuguese tradition with modern technique. It was refined without feeling overdone, and every course felt intentional. Starting our Lisbon experience here raised the bar immediately—and it delivered.
Update (2026): Since our visit, Alma has evolved into a new concept under Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, relocating to a new space in Lisbon while retaining its two Michelin stars.
While the original Alma felt intimate and quietly refined—set within a historic space designed to keep the focus on the plate—the new restaurant introduces a more open and contemporary setting, with an open kitchen and a greater sense of interaction throughout the experience. The menu has also expanded in structure, offering more flexibility alongside its tasting menus, reflecting a natural evolution of the chef’s approach while continuing to reinterpret Portuguese cuisine at the highest level.
We returned to fine dining later in the trip for our Valentine’s dinner in Bairro Alto at 100 Maneiras, a one-Michelin-starred restaurant led by Chef Ljubomir Stanisic.
The concept is built around a sense of creative freedom—one that takes risks, challenges expectations, and invites a strong emotional response. The tasting menus reflect that approach, blending bold flavors with storytelling woven into each course.
Chef Ljubomir Stanisic, originally from Sarajevo, brings both personal history and global influence into his cooking. His menus—such as The Story and Echoes of 100—draw from Portuguese traditions while incorporating techniques and ideas from beyond, resulting in a dining experience that feels both rooted and evolving.
The experience felt creative and personal, with each course unfolding in a way that made the meal feel intentional rather than rushed. It was the kind of dinner that turns into an experience—and one we won’t forget.
Note: There is also a more casual sister concept, Bistrô 100 Maneiras, which offers a more relaxed and accessible take on the restaurant’s creative approach.
Coffee, Pastries & Local Favorites
Just steps from our hotel in the Baixa neighborhood, we found ourselves returning to Marie Blachère Boulangerie for coffee and a quick start to the day. It’s where we had our first pastel de nata in Lisbon—and it quickly became part of our routine. It may not be the one everyone lines up for, but it became our place—and sometimes that’s even better.
We also made our way to A Brasileira do Chiado in the Chiado neighborhood, a historic café that’s been serving Lisbon since 1905. With its mirrored walls, dark wood, and rows of green tins lining the shelves, it carries the kind of history you can feel the moment you walk in.
We stopped in for coffee and pastries. It became less about what we ordered though and more about the atmosphere. It’s almost always packed—inside and out—but worth stepping into at least once for the atmosphere alone.
We also made sure to try a bifana at O Trevo in Praça Luís de Camões, a casual local spot made famous by Anthony Bourdain.. Simple, flavorful, and deeply local, it’s one of those foods that gives you a quick taste of the city’s everyday rhythm.
→ Read the full post The Bifana: Portugal’s Classic Pork Sandwich
Markets & Casual Bites
We explored the city through its markets, including the popular Time Out Market in Cais do Sodré, where multiple chefs and concepts come together under one roof. It’s lively, crowded, and perfect for sampling a little bit of everything.
Near the waterfront—close to the iconic 25 de Abril Bridge—we wandered through LX Factory in the Alcântara district, a creative hub set inside a former industrial complex.
This is where we stopped at Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau to try the famous codfish cake.
It’s one of Portugal’s most traditional snacks—but for us, it wasn’t a favorite. Still, it felt like something we had to try, and that’s part of the experience.
Unexpected Moments
Not every standout meal was fine dining. One night, we had dinner at Pizzeria Romana al Tavolo in the Príncipe Real neighborhood. It ended up being one of those unexpectedly great meals you talk about later.
Pizza is one of my husband’s favorites, and no matter where we travel, we almost always end up having it at least once. It’s one of those foods that somehow feels like a shared language across countries—and this spot delivered. Simple, flavorful, and exactly what we needed.
With strong local reviews and a steady stream of visitors, it’s easy to see why it’s become a neighborhood favorite.
In Belém, I had one of those small, unforgettable travel moments—a drink served in a real pineapple, enjoyed under the sun after a day of exploring.
And while we didn’t make it to the famous pastel de nata spot everyone talks about, we found our own rhythm—returning to places we genuinely enjoyed instead of chasing a checklist.
Lisbon, for us, wasn’t defined by just one place. It was layered—fine dining, casual meals, historic cafés, markets, and small moments in between.
What Stood Out About Portuguese Food
What stuck with us wasn’t complexity—it was honesty. The food was simple but not basic, seasoned by geography and tradition. From small local kitchens to bustling market counters, these are the meals that felt like invitations into someone else’s rhythm of life.
– Simplicity over spectacle
– Ingredients that speak for themselves
– Locally rooted restaurants and traditions
– Seasonal menus and local wine
– Sweet moments from unexpected corners (we see you, ovos moles)