8 best poncha bars on Madeira Island

Drinking poncha at the back of a mercearia or corner store

It’s an impossible task to write a list of all the poncha bars on Madeira. Any bar worth its liquor license will almost certainly be serving this strong and fruity local punch. Over multiple trips to this mountainous Portuguese island off the coast of Africa, I’ve enjoyed a few (too many) Madeiran ponchas – a […]

29 traditional Madeira dishes and food to try: What to eat and drink

Poncha a venda do andre Madeira

The beauty of travelling around Portugal is eating through the huge variety of regional dishes, local sweets and unusual. From the north to the south, and out to the remote islands there are so many unique things to try. I find Madeira has a huge range of traditional dishes, local produce, and quirky drinks that […]

Where to eat and drink in Madeira

Funchal Madeira A Preferida

Bolo de caco. Milho frito. Peixe espada. Lapas. Maracujá. Madeira Island might be part of Portugal, but this sub-tropical drop in the Atlantic has its own strong identity – and most importantly, unique dishes and foods to try. We spent nine days exploring Madeira from east to west, seeking out the best restaurants, snack bars, […]

Where to eat in the Algarve

Best grilled prawns in the world are found at Casa Corvo, Fuseta, Algarve

Updated Jan 16, 2025 Fine dining fans could spend the week knocking back degustation menus at Michelin-starred restaurants and emptying jugs of white sangria at beach bars priced for the British crowd. Me? With my tasca budget and Michelin palate, I hunt for the best tabernas, cervejarias and marisqueiras that locals love as much as […]

My favourite tascas in Lisbon: Where to eat traditional Portuguese food

The cuttlefish stew at O Cantinho do Alfredo, a Lisbon tasca stuck back in time.

Every Lisboeta grew up eating at tascas, and so every local has a favourite hidden gem or secret spot in their Lisbon neighbourhood. A tasca is essentially a Portuguese bistro. They are cheap, family run and you can enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal with wine, snacks and dessert for €10 to €20 most of the […]

Lisbon restaurants open Sunday and Monday

Beautiful steak and chips at Brilhante, one of the best restaurants open Sunday and Monday in Lisbon

The beauty of being on vacation is that the day of the week doesn’t matter. It might be a Monday when you decide it’s prime time for a long Portuguese lunch with white wine in the sunshine. But of course, days of the week matter to the locals – especially since many restaurants and bars […]

The best Portuguese cookbooks in English

Stack of Cookbooks about Portuguese food

Updated Feb 7, 2025 Whether you’re looking for a brilliant souvenir to mark your time in Portugal, or a thoughtful gift for someone special, I’ve rounded up what I think are the best Portuguese cookbooks available in English.  While living here I’ve been collecting Portuguese cookbooks in both English and Portuguese, and one thing I’ve […]

Food festival guide: Best gastronomic events in Portugal 2025

Chefs on Fire is one of the best food festivals in Portugal

Last updated Feb 3, 2025 From celebrating sausages and sweet potatoes to Michelin-starred chefs cooking with fire, Portugal honours its rich gastronomic heritage with dozens of food festivals, wine fairs and events. Food is closely intertwined with culture in Portugal so it’s no surprise the small country puts on more than its fair share of […]

Guide to the best food tours in Lisbon

Sardine salad on the best Lisbon food tour with Eating Europe

A food tour is my favourite way to get to know a new destination, and Lisbon is a prime place to explore via your stomach. As you traverse its hilly cobbled streets you’ll soak up history as you sip ginjinha, snack on pastéis de bacalhau, and hear tales and legends about the city.    Portugal’s capital […]

Where to Find the Best Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon – 2025 Edition

Updated Jan 16, 2025 How many pastéis de nata could you eat on a holiday to Lisbon? Our friend Jayden smashed 30 on his trip to Portugal, but I will say that not all of them were prime pastéis. The man was on a mission to eat at least two Portuguese custard tarts a day, […]

Where to eat in Porto

Castanhas, Porto, Portugal

Francesinhas (the everything sandwich). Pork steak sandwiches. Offal stew. Spicy hot dogs. The food in the north of Portugal is heavier, that’s for sure.  I adore Porto (and its food). It has everything you want and need from a city in a small walkable centre that’s cheaper than Lisbon. I’ve visited countless times now, and […]

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