{"id":16846,"date":"2018-11-18T11:00:41","date_gmt":"2018-11-18T11:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/devourlisbonfoodtours.com\/?p=1325"},"modified":"2022-02-28T15:41:46","modified_gmt":"2022-02-28T15:41:46","slug":"sardines-lisbon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/sardines-lisbon\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Sardines in Lisbon"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Tossed on the grill or straight from a can, everyone loves sardines in Lisbon!<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Tied to the Atlantic, the Portuguese have always turned to the water to feed our nation. In Lisbon, there\u2019s grilled fish in pretty much every restaurant and a one-month festival dedicated to a single fish: the sardine. We\u2019re sharing everything you need to know about sardines<\/a> in Lisbon.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Photo credit: peppaandshe, Text overlay: Devour Lisbon Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why Are Sardines Such a Big Deal in Portugal?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It all started with Saint Anthony, Lisbon\u2019s patron saint.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

During one of his expeditions, he was having trouble converting the people, so he turned to the fish. Legend says that the fish listened to his sermon and he took it as a sign of God.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Now every year Lisbon throws a party in his honor that lasts for a whole month!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Sardines are the star of these festivities. There’s even an annual competition where you can design your own sardine<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"If
A tiny bit of salt and the sardines are ready for the grill! Photo credit: paulamalamud<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why Some Portuguese Are Passing on Sardines<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here in Portugal, we love our sardines. Some find it hard to imagine a world without them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Unfortunately, in the last decade, the sardine population has dropped, mostly due to climate change and excessive fishing. In 2006, fishermen caught 106,000 tonnes of sardines, versus 22,000 tonnes in 2016!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Sardines like cooler waters, so as the temperature rises in the Atlantic, they\u2019ve retreated up north. This means that more and more, your \u201clocal\u201d sardines might be coming from the UK or France.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The young sardines are especially vulnerable to these changes and, without them, it\u2019s hard to replenish the population.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Every year locals are faced with the possibility that they might not have enough sardines. The government has put limitations on fishing, so most of the sardines you find in Lisbon are frozen to keep up with the demand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where to Eat Grilled Sardines in Lisbon<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We get it: you’re in Lisbon and you want to try sardines! And if you visit in summer, the smell of grilled sardines is going to be tempting you everywhere you turn. Served between slices of bread or straight on a plate, however you eat them, sardines are a beloved dish in Portugal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The best time to order sardines in Lisbon<\/strong> is between June and October. If you order outside these months, they\u2019ll probably be frozen. Make sure to ask before you order!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In June, there are food stalls everywhere around Lisbon where you can order cheap sardines and local street food<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If the festival season is gone and you still want to try grilled sardines, we recommend going to Farol de Santa Luzia<\/a> in Alfama or \u00daltimo Porto<\/a>. This last one has a great selection of grilled fish all-year-round.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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In June, everyone heads to the streets to eat grilled sardines! Photo credit: Cecilia<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where to Find Canned Sardines in Lisbon<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You can find canned sardines<\/a> all over Lisbon! From the colorful vintage packs at Conserveira de Lisboa<\/a> to the ordinary cans at the local supermarkets (look in the canned goods section), there’s something for every taste.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

But it\u2019s not just sardines that come in a can. There\u2019s also mackerel, octopus and even the famous codfish<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Canned fish got so popular recently that more shops emerged like O Mundo Fant\u00e1stico das Conservas Portuguesas<\/a> and Loja das Conservas<\/a>. Wherever you get them from, the cans make for a great Lisbon souvenir<\/a>!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re curious to try it in a dish, just pop by Sol e Pesca<\/a> in Cais do Sodr\u00e9, where canned fish is the highlight of the menu.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Alternative Choices to Sardines: Carapau<\/em> & Cavala<\/em><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Worried about the declining populations of sardines, and looking for the best alternatives? Carapau<\/em> (horse mackerel)<\/strong> and Cavala<\/em> (chub mackerel)<\/strong> are your best bets for responsible seafood choices in Lisbon.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Mackerel is slightly larger than a sardine, but still quite tasty and full of Omega-3s. Plus, the stocks are much healthier locally, so there are more chances that you\u2019ll get it fresh rather than frozen!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As with sardines, you can have them straight off the grill or in a can. One dish that locals love are Carapauzinhos Fritos<\/em><\/strong>, tiny fried mackerel usually served with delicious tomato rice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Are you coming to Lisbon?<\/strong>
Don’t waste a single meal\u2014check out our ultimate foodie guide to
where to eat in Lisbon<\/a>!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re coming to Lisbon in the summer, you might find some places that serve both sardines and mackerel, so it\u2019s up to you to choose.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where to try them:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n