Best Portuguese Food and Drinks to Try on a Trip to Portugal

One of the things I was most excited about on our 24-day trip to Portugal with my wife and kid was the food.

I’m from coastal Karnataka in India, so seafood is basically my comfort food — and luckily, the Portuguese seem to agree.

Before we landed, I already had a mental list going — bacalhau, peri-peri chicken, sardines, bifana. All the famous stuff.

But I also had one small worry most food guides don’t talk about: I don’t eat pork or beef. And I wasn’t sure how limiting that would be in Portugal.

Turns out, it wasn’t a problem at all. After eating my way through Porto, Lisbon, the Algarve, and Madeira, one thing stood out.

A lot of Portugal’s best food never shows up on the usual “must-try” lists, especially if you like seafood and simple meals.

So if you’re coming to Portugal and wondering what’s actually worth ordering, this post is for you.

Below is a real, experience-based list of food worth eating in Portugal.

It focuses on seafood, chicken, and dishes that are easy to order if you don’t eat pork or beef.

I’ve been honest throughout — what I loved, and what I didn’t enjoy or wouldn’t order again.

If you only eat 5 things in Portugal, start with these

Bacalhau dishes worth ordering

You cannot talk about Portuguese food without bacalhau. It is everywhere, so much that I assumed the cod came from Portuguese waters.

It does not. I learned on a walking tour that bacalhau is usually imported, mostly from Norway, which surprised me.

Most menus do not stop at one bacalhau dish. They list several, each done differently.

Bacalhau com broa

If you like simple fish food that is affordable and full of flavour, bacalhau com broa in northern Portugal is a great pick.

They do have two versions – one market-style and the other one restaurant style.

This is cod baked with cornbread, and I loved how the cornbread, olive oil, and pepper came together without drowning the fish. Everything tastes balanced and honest.

It is best eaten at local markets. Try it at Mercado do Bolhão in Porto, where canned portions cost €5–€6, far cheaper than restaurant plates.

Pastéis de bacalhau (codfish cakes)

When you are unsure what to order and want to eat like locals, pastel de bacalhau AKA Cod fish cakes works for breakfast, lunch, or even dinne -Tasty, filling and authentic to Portugal.

It was also the food I ordered most often.

It is just cod and a little onion, mashed, hand-shaped, and deep-fried. No batter drama at all.

I watched this being made at Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau in Porto and was surprised to learn that some places even add cheese.

I liked it best hot, but it also works well to carry on train journeys or to munch back in the hotel room.

From cafés and bakeries to markets and restaurants, they are everywhere. Expect to pay €3–€5 per piece, depending on where you eat.

Bacalhau a Bras

This is the dish to order when you want a proper sit-down, traditional cod meal and are in the mood for something heavier than street food.

Bacalhau a Bras comes as a bowl of shredded cod mixed with crispy onions, eggs, olives and spices.

Everything blends well, and that balanced mix of textures and flavours is exactly why I liked it.

I had it only once during my three-plus weeks in Portugal, at Bacalhau na Vila in Sintra mainly because it sits on the pricier side and I usually lean towards market food.

Expect to pay €12–€18, which is not expensive for a restaurant meal, but high compared to most cod dishes.

Portuguese seafood most travel guides don’t mention.

These are not the regular and essential food- not everyone loves it. But they’re fun to try once if you enjoy seafood and want something unique.

Ourico do mar (Sea urchins)

Feeling a little adventurous as a foodie traveller? Ourico do mar is worth trying at least once in Portugal.

This is not everyday food, but it is perfect for a curious traveller. You eat it just as it is, straight from the shell.

The taste is very sea-like, clean and intense, which makes the experience feel real rather than fancy.

I tried it at a stall in Mercado do Bolhão in Porto.

The stall owner mentioned that some people add caviar or scallops, which quickly pushes it into expensive territory. On its own, it cost around €4 to 5 per piece

Vieiras com vinagrete

This is a great pick when you want a lighter, fresher seafood starter. Vieiras com vinagrete, AKA vinegared scallops, are a must try food in Portugal’s coastal restaurants and seafood-focused places.

I liked it for its lightness. The scallops are soft and slightly sweet, while the vinegar adds a gentle tang.

Paprika and spices bring a mild sharpness without overpowering the seafood.

I tried it at Time Out Market in Lisbon. The staff mentioned they make it only when the scallops are fresh, otherwise it does not work.

Prices usually sit around €3–€4, making it an easy starter to try.

Mexilhoes a vinagrete

This is a good choice when you want something quick from the ocean while wandering through markets or tascas (small Portuguese food joints).

The mussels are usually served open, topped generously with peppers or chillies, a little oil, and vinegar.

I tried it at Mercado do Bolhão in Porto- The flavours flet light and fresh, not heavy.

It is the kind of dish that fills you just enough, without leaving you stuffed, and still makes you want more.

Prices are usually €2–€4, which feels very reasonable, especially compared to other shellfish dishes.

Espada com banana

If you want to try a distinct Portuguese dish where fish and banana come together, espada com banana in Madeira is worth eating.

It is black scabbardfish served with fried banana, usually with a small salad, and common in beachside cafés.

When I first saw the rather scary scabbardfish at Funchal Farmers Market, I was unsure. Banana and fish did not sound right.

But once I tried it at Restaurante Sol Mar in Seixal paying about 10 Euors , the flavours worked surprisingly well.

A local hotel receptionist mentioned it is often made for tourists, but that did not bother me. The fish is local, and the bananas here are excellent-so it still feels local on the plate.

Seafood orders that are hard to get wrong in Portugal

Octodog

Craving a hotdog, but in a Portuguese twist? The Octodog- octopus hotdog is worth devouring.

It is not traditional Portuguese food, and not as common as dishes like arroz de polvo, which is what makes it fun to try.

It is a whole octopus leg served in a bun, hotdog-style. It sounds odd, but it works.

When I first saw it at Octodog inside Time Out Market in Lisbon, I almost walked away. A hotdog felt like a strange choice with so much authentic food around.

I am glad I did not skip it, even though it cost a steep €16. The octopus was soft, not chewy, lightly seasoned, and easy to eat -just simple and surprisingly good.

Grilled Sardines with Tomato rice

If you eat just one truly traditional Portuguese dish, make it grilled sardines with tomato rice.

Portuguese sardines are small, silvery, and full of flavour when cooked right.

I tried them fried and grilled in Porto, the Algarve, and Nazaré, but nothing came close to Nazaré.

Nazare is known for Sardine fishing – It tasted fresh and savoury, slightly fishy in a good way, and never oily. Grilling really brings that flavour out.

Plus eating it with Portuguese style tomato rice added even more charm.

At €15–€20, grilled is not cheap, but if you splurge on sardines once, Nazaré is the place, particularly at Restaurante Aleluia.

You can buy canned sardines in beautiful vintage-style tins if you want to take some home. Think of them as a Portuguese edible souvenir for friends or for yourself.

Grilled Dourada (Sea Bass) 

When you want a proper fish meal in the Algarve without strong or fishy flavours, grilled dourada is a very safe and satisfying choice.

This dish is everywhere in the Algarve, mostly in restaurants rather than cafés or stalls.

Dourada is mildly sweet and far gentler than sardines. The flesh is so tender that it barely felt like fish, and that is exactly why I enjoyed it.

I tried it at Faro’s Restaurante Centenário, served with boiled potatoes and a few simple vegetables.

Thanks to the waiter who suggested me not to eat anything more when I ordered Dourada with Shrimp omelette – Because It came as a full plate and was more than filling –

Expect to pay €15–€18 per fish. It is pricier than market food, but as a complete meal, it feels worth it across the Algarve.

Ria Formosa Oysters

For some of the tastiest oysters in Portugal, try the ones from Ria Formosa Lagoon in the Algarve.

They are served very simply, raw on ice with a wedge of lemon, and that is the point.

What I liked was how light and balanced they tasted, not too salty and not overpowering, and surprisingly easy to eat even if you do not usually order oysters.

I have eaten oysters before, in Miyajima in Japan and in Istanbul, so I had something to compare them with.

I am no expert, but these tasted different and genuinely good in their own way.

I tried them at Restaurante Ostraria Lodo, close to where they are farmed. You can order them by the piece, at around €2 each, which makes it easy to start small and then order more.

Omelete de camarão

If you like shrimp and omelettes, omelete de camarão is for you. It shows how Portuguese shrimp can turn a simple omelette into something special.

While Portugal does fish very well, shrimp ended up being my favourite.

The omelette is packed with small shrimp, not just a few pieces. Soft eggs, sweet shrimp, very little seasoning. Nothing fancy, nothing forced.

You will find it across Portugal, but I noticed it more often in the Algarve and a few Lisbon neighbourhoods.

I ordered it on a recommendation at Restaurante Centenário. Expect to pay €10–€15. It is filling but not heavy, and works well as a starter.

Gambas à Guilho

If I had to pick one must-try food in Portugal, this would be it. Gambas à guilho was easily my favourite dish, the one I kept going back to again and again.

It is garlicky, and full of flavour. The shrimp taste juicy and rich, with olive oil and garlic soaking into every bite.

It is usually ordered as a starter, but one bowl feels enough on its own, unless you decide to order another. I often did.

Across Portugal, I also saw a similar dish called camarão ao alho, in Porto at Cafe Oaasis Da Se.

The flavours are same, though gamba are bigger shrimps. So as a visitor when you ask for camarão ao alho or Gambas a Guilho, Portuguese will understand you want garlicky sautéed shrimp

Prices usually start around €10 and go up depending on the place. For me, this was always money well spent.

Arroz de marisco

Arroz de marisco is the kind of food you order when you are properly hungry.

When it arrived at the table, it felt like everything from the sea was in there. Shrimp, mussels, squid, clams, all mixed into the rice.

It really felt like Portugal in a bowl, thick, heavy, and very satisfying, and easily one of the best traditional Portuguese dishes you can eat.

This is not something you rush through. It is best ordered when you are in the mood for a long lunch and do not plan on eating much else after.

What I loved most was the flavour. The rice absorbs everything from the seafood, so every spoonful works.

The only downside is the price. It usually starts around €20. I tried it at Uma Marisqueira, Lisboa mostly for the hype, and it was genuinely worth it.

Peri peri frango

When you have had enough of Portuguese seafood, go for peri-peri frango.

The peri peri chilli came from Africa during Portugal’s colonial past, and once it hits grilled frango (chicken), it changes the dish completely.

There is a tang from lemon or vinegar, garlic in the background, real heat, and that slight char from the grill.

Most places ask how spicy you want it. I enjoy heat, but the mid-range usually tastes best.

Guia is often called the birthplace of peri-peri chicken, and Ramires is the most famous spot.

A half portion costs around €5 and is more than enough.

You will find good versions everywhere, from local stalls to supermarket Pingo Doce’s restaurants, which says a lot about how local and loved this dish really is.

Chicken croquettes

When you want something crispy with coffee, or a snack to take back to your room or eat on the beach, chicken croquettes work really well in Portugal.

These are deep-fried chicken croquettes, popular in Portugal (and Spain too). Crispy outside, soft inside, filling and easy to carry.

I bought 10 pieces for about €5 at Mão na Massa Salgados e Doces, a small place locals love in Faro.

I thought I would finish them with coffee. I did not. They are far more filling than they look, and I was not hungry for dinner later.

They are popular, but not every café sells them, so keep an eye out. Start small. You can always order more.

Bolo de Caco

Portugal has many breads, but the one you should not miss in Madeira is bolo de caco, a thick flatbread served warm with butter and garlic.

I ordered it because it is one of the few vegetarian local foods, and my wife needed something to eat.

I ended up loving it for the buttery, garlicky flavour and chewy bite. Soft, slightly sweet, and very easy to keep eating.

That said, locals rarely eat it just like this. Most of the time, it is turned into a sandwich, usually with beef steak or bacon.

This is very much a Madeira thing, and you will not see it much elsewhere in Portugal. The plain bread costs around €4–€5. We loved the ones at Casa do Bolo do Caco in Funchal.

Porto croissants

If you enjoy trying croissants across different countries to see how they taste, you should have Porto croissants at least once. They are very different from the usual French ones.

They are more brioche-like than croissant-like. Instead of flaky and buttery, they are soft, slightly chewy, and mildly sweet.

They feel bready rather than buttery, and that is what makes them interesting.

They are not trying to be fancy. Just easy to eat, lightly sweet, and perfect with morning coffee or breakfast.

They are also very easy to find. Almost every bakery in Porto makes them, from small metro bakeries to touristy cafés.

Dishes I tried once — and wouldn’t order again

These are dishes I tried out of curiosity, but wouldn’t order again — mostly because of flavour, not quality.

How desserts actually work in Portugal post meals

Let’s talk about desserts in Portugal, and how they actually work after meals.

Yes, pastel de nata is everywhere and absolutely worth trying.

But it is usually more of a breakfast or evening snack, not something locals always order after a full meal. It is very much a café or bakery thing.

When it comes to how meals end in restaurants, things are simpler. Many places do not even have a long dessert menu.

Instead, you might get a house dessert, sometimes something traditional, sometimes gelato, and occasionally even non-Portuguese options like mousse or Eton mess.

That said, Portuguese sweets are always around to munch on at any time of the day.

When I did go looking for proper local desserts, my favourites were quindim, bolo de figo, and of course, pastel de nata.

I have covered Portuguese desserts in much more detail in a separate post, if sweets matter to you.

What to drink with Portuguese food

Algarve orange juice
Easily the best drink in Portugal. Freshly pressed almost everywhere. Sweet, slightly tangy, and pure fruit. Works with any meal, any time of day.

Compal
A Portuguese bottled juice that feels like a national icon. Slightly expensive for the size (€1–€1.30 for 200 ml), but worth it. Comes in many flavours. Algarve orange is the best, followed by peach and mango.

Guaraná Antarctica
A sweet, fizzy Brazilian soda made from guaraná fruit. Fruity, a bit tart, and surprisingly good with heavy meals. Available in many restaurants.

Beer
Sagres and Super Bock are everywhere, Coral is more famous in Madeira. My wife, who loves beer, preferred Sagres for its crisp, lighter taste.

Ginjinha
My favourite liqueur in Portugal. A small cherry shot, sometimes with a syrup-soaked cherry, and occasionally served in edible chocolate cups. Not in every restaurant, but easy to find in bars and shops.

Port wine
The signature drink of Porto and the sweetest wine I have ever had. Best after a meal, not during. Graham’s was my favourite.

Madeira wine
A nutty, slightly sweet wine from Madeira. I enjoyed Blandy’s and Henriques & Henriques, even though I am not big on wine.

Poncha
A Madeiran drink made with rum and citrus fruits like passion fruit or orange. Looks harmless, hits hard. We had it once back in the hotel room, and that was enough.

My honest take on Portuguese food

As a seafood lover, I had a really good time eating in Portugal. From perfectly grilled sardines to more adventurous things like sea urchin, there is a lot to enjoy if seafood is your thing.

Portuguese food also goes far beyond bifana and francesinha. Those dishes get most of the attention, but there is much more on the table than just these two.

But when I went to watch Armenia vs Portugal football match at Porto, there was only beef or pork dishes – neither chicken nor fish.

I did feel the chicken options were limited. Outside of peri-peri chicken, there was not much variety.

I would not personally call Portugal a foodie heaven. For me, it felt more like a seafood heaven.

Compared to food experiences I have had in places like Turkey or Iran, it did not quite reach the same level.

Still, I genuinely enjoyed eating in Portugal with some of their unique drinks, and it easily ranked higher for me than Greek food.