North Portugal Cooking

Porto, Minho, Alto Douro Trás-os-Montes

The traditional cuisine of Northern Portugal is one of the most authentic in the country. Starting with its basic products used in everyday kitchen: cod, cabbage, potatoes, bread and the usual seasonings, as we will see below.

Fishes

Cod (also known as the faithful friend), in fact, is a product of traditional cuisine in the north and across the country. But, traditionally, the prominence of cod prepared and/or sold from the city of Porto is not denied. Hence it comes, including, the name of the first-choice cod today: codfish from Porto.

By the way, for the connoisseurs, cod only from Porto! At the Gomes de Sá style and accompanied with a Douro wine, there is nothing better. Or in the fashion of Braga, in the Minho version.







Essential influence of the sea, with its varied products (crustaceans and shellfish), as well as the rivers. Diverse cultural influences. Everything contributes to enriching the practice and the gastronomic experience in Portugal. From the popular "snacks" to the gourmet cuisine.


The territory of the North Region is situated between the rivers Minho (north) and Douro (south), the Atlantic Ocean (west) and Spain (east). The mountainous relief to the east is cut by the Douro, advancing through valleys sometimes flanked by sharp hills, which constitute the Douro Wine Region, World Heritage (Unesco).

Porc and other Meats

In addition to fish, pork and its derivatives (pork blood, sausages) and beef are widely used in traditional Northern cuisine.


When talking about Porto it is almost impossible not to mention some traditional dishes, among which stand out, for its history, the famous Trips à moda do Porto, a dish that gives the city's inhabitants their name – Tripeiros – those who eat tripe.

Wines

Northern Portugal comprises Porto (Douro Litoral, to the west), Alto Douro (and Trás os Montes to the east) and Minho (to the north border with Spain).

Northern Delights and Specialties

After an aperitif with Port wine, how about a dish of cod? It may not seem, at first sight, but cod rhymes with Porto. By the way, for the connoisseurs, cod only from Port! The Gomes de Sá style and accompanied with a Douro wine, it doesn't get any better!

Caldo Verde and Wines

"Green broth is always present on the menus of Porto and the Minho region. This broad-leaf potato and green cabbage broth finely cut and watered with a drizzle of olive oil is referenced in several books by Camilo Castelo Branco".

By chance, you've already tasted this famous wine, straight out of the barrel. This is a privilege reserved for few visitors. This and more, the visitor will discover the follow the paths that lead to Douro. See Douro Litoral Region.

Quality and Refinement

"Eating Porto style is to eat in abundance, quality and with great refinement, always at well-decorated tables where the silver of our goldsmiths reigns over embroidered linen tablecloths".

Port and Wine - With its name associated with the famous wine for centuries, Porto attracts thousands of visitors, whether on vacation or on business, who here they discover its charms and secrets.