Gastronomy of Portugal

Last update: May 2023

Specialties of Portuguese Cuisine

Fish, Seafood and Meat

Best Specialties of Portuguese Cuisine
The Gastronomy and Cuisine of Portugal are based on the rich heritage that, from north to south of Portugal, constitutes a great legacy of tradition and dedicated work transmitted through generations. From the Traditional Portuguese Cuisine, the basis of everything, stand out some products and culinary elaborations that are the testimonies of the best of the art of Lusitanian cuisine.


Gastronomia de Portugal © Alma Mollemans / Images of Portugal, Ilustração
Gastronomy of Portugal © Alma Mollemans / Images of Portugal, Illustration



Both the day-to-day cuisine, the traditional cuisine, and its more refined gastronomy, use these most used, basic products, some of the which protected. In addition to these typical products, so to speak, their drinks and various wines - added to all the knowledge used to highlight your best dishes and specialties - enhance this world of flavors and smells.


The culinary knowledge of Portugal rests on some products, namely: fish (among which highlights the cod, the seafood, the cataplana, the stew, the meats, the Portuguese stew, the wines of the Porto, Vinhos Verdes and Douro wines, custard tarts (or pastéis de Belém) and the skill of its chefs. Whether you are a lover of traditional or contemporary cuisine, there will be a wide range of dishes and specialties to be discovered and tasted.

More specifically for traditional cuisine, see the section Traditional Portuguese Cuisine to learn more about this tasty cuisine.


Gastronomia de Portugal © / Images of Portugal, Ilustração
Gastronomy of Portugal © / Images of Portugal, Illustration



Sea products

Despite being a small country, Portugal has a coastline of around 830 km. The influence of the sea is essential, with its varied products, fish and crustaceans. Among these, no item is as important to Portuguese cuisine and gastronomy as cod, whose fishing and preparation goes back centuries.

Diverse cultural influences. Everything contributed to enrich the gastronomic practice and experience in Portugal. From the popular petiscos (snacks) to the gourmet cuisine proposals.

See also: 7 Wonders of Portuguese Gastronomy.





Fish

Cod, sea bass, grouper, monkfish, sardines and crustaceans. According to the opinion of many specialists, the fish caught off the extensive Portuguese coast are among the best in the world.


Meats

In the chapter dedicated to meat, in Portuguese Gastronomy, the highlights are lamb, kid, pork and veal. These are the favorite meats for the great specialties of Portuguese cuisine. Baiirada suckling pig, oven-roasted kid, Oven-roasted lamb, Maronesa meat or Barrosão beef are highly appreciated specialties.


Other Products

Several other traditional products complete the list of Portuguese gastronomy ingredients: chestnuts, sausages (embutido), olive oil, wines, cheeses, local fruits and aromatic herbs, many other items that go into the elaboration of the delicacies of the Portuguese cuisine and gastronomy.

Gastronomia portuguesa, Guia de Portugal
Gastronomy of Portugal © / Illustration


From the lands of the northwest, between Minho and Douro, to the rolling lands of the Alentejo and the sunny Algarve a gastronomy that must be tasted and appreciated by all who pass through here.

Regional Gastronomy

Despite being small, Portugal presents, fortunately for us gastronomists, a large, rich and varied cuisine.




Top Cities

Greater Lisbon

In addition to the largest urban agglomeration in the country (Lisbon), Sintra, Cascais, Loures, Almada and Oeiras complete the podium of the Top 5 largest cities in Portugal.

Great Port

In the north of the country, in Greater Porto, other important cities are Vila Nova de Gaia, Braga, Matosinhos, Gondomar and Guimarães.

Learn more

Main cities