Where to eat in Lisbon this summer: guide to the hottest tables for 2025
While you’ll always be able to eat well (even without a reservation) in Lisbon, if you’re chasing a seat at one of its buzziest tables, or want to revisit the beloved classics that locals still swear by – you’ll need to plan ahead. I’ve lived in Lisbon since 2018 and spent years as a food […]
Where to eat in Belém: the best restaurants, snacks and bars
Belém might be packed with tourists, but finding a good spot to eat doesn’t have to feel like a scavenger hunt. I live close by and have spent plenty of time dining in Belém, so consider this your Belém food guide to dodge the tourist traps and actually eat well – whether you’re grabbing a […]
Where to eat in Santiago de Compostela: Best restaurants and tapas bars
I fell hard for this small stone city stuck in time, with a bar and restaurant scene fed by some of the best seafood Spain has to offer. It’s a rare thing to say but Santiago de Compostela exceeded my expectations in every way. I arrived in Galicia pretty pumped to eat my way across […]
Local’s guide to Lisbon’s best restaurants: 41 great places to eat (2025)
A perfectly salted fish cooked over coals. A juicy tomato plucked in the peak of summer. The crunch of a pastel de nata, still warm from the oven. Portuguese food is a lesson in perfectly executed simplicity.
8 best poncha bars on Madeira Island
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
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
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
Updated Mar 4, 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
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
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
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
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 food events. Each village has […]