FOOD AND WINE

Portugal is famous for its food and wine. From the upmarket restaurants and its more exquisite cuisine to the local “tascas”, you are guaranteed a delicious gastronomic experience. The more modern and recent restaurants cook vegetarian dishes.

Bacalhau:
Bacalhau is salted codfish. Although it is one of the main ingredients in Portuguese gastronomy, bacalhau is imported from Canada and Norway as the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean on their coastline is very rich in this fish. You will find there are thousands of ways to cook bacalhau.

Meat-lovers:
Meat is eaten all over the country. However, there are two areas famous for their meat dishes. The Alentejo is famous for its pork and Trás-os-Montes for its cured meats.

Bread and Cheese:
Each region will also have its specific bread and cheese. The most famous cheese is Queijo da Serra from Serra da Estrela. Queijo de Azeitão, from Azeitão (near Lisbon) is also delicious. Every restaurant will place a basket of bread on the table as a starter. If it is not home made, it will be fresh from the bakery next door.

Sweets:
This is a legacy left from the Moorish occupation. Try the “rebuçados da régua” in the city Peso da Régua in the Douro region. If you travel to Lisbon, stop by Belém to try the famous “Pastéis de nata” of Belém.

Wine:
Portugal is famous for its fortified wines: Port and Madeira. Port comes from the Douro region and Madeira from the island. These are great wines for an aperitif or as a digestif after a meal. However, Portuguese wine culture and expertise does not end with its fortified wines. The Douro region has become one of the most famous regions in the world for their DOC wines. In the same form as Chateauxs from France, you will find wines denominated by Quintas in the Douro. The Alentejo and Dão make great red, white and rosé wines too. Enjoy a truly fascinating and intriguing wine tasting experience throughout Portugal!

Beer:
During meals, the Portuguese will also drink beer. However, it is in the late afternoon hours, at sunset, that the Portuguese enjoy a good fresh beer the most.