7 Traditional Portuguese Foods You Need to Try

Last Updated on July 3, 2026 by Emma Fajcz | Published: November 14, 2018

Spending time at the table in Portugal is not just a modern pastime; it’s a cultural event, even when you’re not celebrating anything. From petiscos to more complicated recipes, traditional Portuguese food is one of the reasons why travelers fall in love with the country. Most typical Portuguese dishes are hearty, garlicky, and greasy–like all comfort food should be. Here’s 7 traditional Portuguese dishes you need to try when you’re visiting!

Want to learn more about what makes Portuguese food unique? Don’t miss these 10 fun facts about Portuguese food!

Top Portuguese Foods

Açorda

A typical soup in the Alentejo region, açorda will leave you wondering how something so simple can be so delicious. Pieces of day-old Alentejo bread are added to a simmering broth heavily seasoned with garlic and coriander. The bread should soak up the broth but not cook in it.

Most versions of this soup add an egg on top, poached, or boiled. Depending on where you are in Alentejo, some recipes include fresh fish or salted cod.

Local Tip: Casa do Alentejo, one of the Lisbon restaurants where locals eat, is a great place to find this and other equally delicious dishes.

Cozido à Portuguesa

If there’s one stew in the world that’s perfect for meat lovers, it’s cozido à Portuguesa. It almost seems like someone came up with the crazy idea of cooking all the meats they had in the house and add some potatoes and some vegetables!

There are dozens of variations of cozido throughout the country, but the most famous worldwide is probably the one from Furnas. In this small village of S. Miguel Island (Azores), the cozido is slowly cooked with volcanic steam inside a hole in the ground.

Alheira

Original from Mirandela in the North, alheira is a pork sausage….that’s not actually pork!

During the Inquisition in Portugal and Spain, the Jewish population was forced to convert to Christianity. In public, they would behave as Christians to survive, but in private they kept their culture and traditions alive.

To avoid persecution and because it was against their religion to eat pork, the Jewish in Mirandela created this “fake” sausage made with other meats. You’ll find different versions, some less garlicky than others, but deep-frying them is the best way to cook it.

Local Tip: We love Portuguese sausages; here are seven varieties of Portuguese sausage to try!

Bacalhau

Salted cod (bacalhau) may come from Norway or Iceland, but somehow it’s the most traditional Portuguese food you’ll eat. People say there’s one different bacalhau recipe for each day of the year!

Any bacalhau dish is a good dish, and the fish is so versatile that the only thing you won’t be seeing it in is dessert. It has a more pungent smell than other fish, so don’t be caught off guard. Typical dishes include à lagareiro, à Brás, and à Gomes Sá.

Cataplana

Cataplanas are more frequent in the South, but some places in the North also cook their version of this fish stew. The dish is named after the cooking pot, a sort of slow cooker made of copper or stainless steel, a heritage of Portugal’s Arabic past.

The recipe is as simple as choosing your favorite seafood, adding sliced potatoes, onions, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil and herbs, and letting it stew.

Sopa da Pedra

At Devour, we love a dish with a great backstory, and that is certainly the case of sopa da pedra. The legend behind this traditional Portuguese food has it that a poor friar who was on a pilgrimage was too proud to beg for food, despite being hungry. Instead, he asked his hosts if they could spare some vegetables to add to his rock soup. Intrigued, they gave him different products to add to his sopa da pedra.

There are variations of this recipe, and it’s a typical dish in the Ribatejo area. All versions are hearty–and typically are served with a rock in the bottom!

Francesinha

The most famous sandwich in Porto is a full meal. One francesinha is usually enough for two, so be careful when ordering. It’s messy to eat, and you’ll need the precious help of a fork and a knife to cut through the molting mix of cheese and spicy sauce, the slices of lightly toasted bread, and the layers of different meats.

What’s the secret of a great francesinha? Almost everyone will say it’s the sauce. Since francesinha is usually served with french fries, the dish allows you to soak up every single bite of sauce!

Taste Traditional Portuguese Foods on Tour With Us!

You know some of the best-loved traditional Portuguese foods—now it’s time to try some for yourself. Our Ultimate Lisbon Food Tour will give you a crash course in eating like a local, from how to navigate Portuguese mealtimes to what to eat and where. And, of course, there will be plenty of typical bites along the way.

Featured Review: Ultimate Lisbon Food Tour

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Eva was a truly excellent tour guide. A pleasant talker and good mix of food, history, and travel advice. Would absolutely book again!”
– Jake

Traditional Portuguese Food FAQs

What is the most traditional food in Portugal?

One of Portugal’s most traditional foods is bacalhau (salt cod), which has been a staple of Portuguese cuisine for centuries. It’s prepared in countless ways throughout the country, from casseroles to fritters and stews, earning it the nickname o fiel amigo (the faithful friend).

What foods should you try when visiting Portugal?

Try classic dishes such as bacalhau à brás, grilled sardines, caldo verde (kale and potato soup), bifana pork sandwiches, francesinha, and the famous pastéis de nata custard tarts.

Why is seafood so important in Portuguese cuisine?

Portugal’s long Atlantic coastline means that fishing historically (and even today) is a big industry in Portugal, and fresh fish, shellfish, octopus, and cod feature prominently in Portuguese cooking.

What is the national dish of Portugal?

While there is no official national dish, many Portuguese people consider bacalhau to be the country’s culinary symbol. Traditional cod dishes are served throughout Portugal and are deeply connected to the nation’s history, culture, and family traditions.

Is Portuguese food similar to Spanish food?

Although Portugal and Spain share some ingredients and culinary influences, Portuguese cuisine has its own distinct identity. Portuguese food tends to feature more seafood, olive oil, slow-cooked stews, and unique specialties such as salt cod and piri-piri.