Top Foods to Try in Portugal

Thanks to easy and inexpensive flight connections between the United States and Portuguese cities like Lisbon and Porto, it’s never been easier or cheaper to visit this vacation hot spot. Portugal is more than just a long, lush coastline and port wine shops round every corner; the country also boasts some unique and delectable cuisine. Here are the top dishes to try when visiting Portugal.

Sardines

Whether grilled or canned, these tiny fish are revered in Portugal and can either be an appetizer or a main dish. Sardines are mainly a summertime snack and are celebrated at various festivals throughout the country.

Bacalhau

Portuguese people love this codfish so much they have 365 ways to prepare it, one for each day of the year. One way involves strips of the fish mixed with poached eggs, potatoes, garlic, onions and olives.

Francesinha Sandwich

It’s hard to find a menu in Porto that doesn’t include this sandwich. Ideal for a post-hangover meal, the sandwich includes ham, sausage and steak topped with melted cheese and an egg. Order one to split between two people as they’re quite big!

Pastel de Nata

After the savory dishes above, satisfy your sweet tooth with Portugal’s national dessert, a creamy egg custard tart made from layers of dough and topped with cinnamon, often served with coffee.