6 best food markets in Portugal
My favourite way to get to know a place is through its food, and there’s no better place to start than at the source – the local fresh produce markets. Every town and city in Portugal is home to permanent market halls filled with fruit and veg vendors, fish wives, butchers, cheesemongers and spice stalls. […]
Where to find the best Portuguese street food and snacks in Lisbon
Updated Jan 9, 2025 There’s nothing more comforting than knowing you can get a snack at any hour. From hot sandwiches like bifanas and pregos, to petiscos (tapas) of snails and prawns and an overwhelming range of eggy treats, Lisbon is not short of snacks. Hell, there’s even an entire 5pm meal, dedicated to hoeing […]
Where to eat in Viana do Castelo
One thing I love about dining in Portugal is how each city, town and village offers something new. Same ingredients, a whole new world of food. I recently visited Viana do Castelo for the annual Romaria de Nossa Senhora d’Agonia festival, but I have to say I was as excited about the hearty Minho food […]
It’s worth a flight to Madeira just to eat these espetadas
Updated Jan 21, 2025 The best espetadas on Madeira Island? Not where we expected to find them. Forget the famous spots in Câmara de Lobos. Next time we land in Madeira we’ll be returning straight to this local espetada spot – which we visited twice on our first trip and returned to on our second. […]
What to eat in the Azores Islands
Fresh seafood, hearty stews and heavenly pastries await in the Azores islands. Lost in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the volcanic archipelago of nine islands offers up many unique dishes and unusual ingredients, partly thanks to its climate and remote location. Taste the thermal-cooked Cozido das Furnas, visit an island best known for its […]
Best places to eat octopus in Lisbon
One question I get asked a lot is where is the best spot to eat octopus in Lisbon. It seems every traveller coming to visit wants to try great octopus dishes in Portugal, whether that’s a traditional Polvo à Lagareiro or a simple octopus salad. It’s true – octopus is a favourite ingredient in Portugal. […]
Where to eat in Coimbra
At the centre of Central Portugal lies Coimbra, an ancient city with a young student heart. The food scene in Coimbra covers it all, from fine dining and chic restaurants to rooftop bars and late-night kebab shops. There are half a dozen must-try regional sweets, plus hearty local specialities like chanfana (rich goat stew) and […]
Where to eat in Guimarães: the best restaurants and taverns
When it comes to where to eat in medieval Guimarães, the answer feels like it should be snacks at a tavern, a homely bistro or an old-man bar. This surprising smaller Portuguese city serves up all three, along with a few dining gems, from a chic French-inspired bistro to a Michelin-starred diner. Eating out in […]
25 traditional dishes to order in Portugal
There’s a lot more to Portuguese food than piri piri chicken and custard tarts. In this article I’ve rounded up two dozen or so traditional Portuguese dishes you can easily order throughout the country. When it comes to eating in Portugal, I’m always amazed by the wide variety of dishes, seasonal specials and regional plates, […]
What to eat: 20 foods to try in the Algarve
Portugal’s southern coast boasts plenty of unique local dishes and produces some of the country’s best seafood, oranges, figs and almonds.