Portuguese Food: 26 Traditional Dishes to try in Portugal or at home

Visiting Portugal is lovely for many reasons. But the delicious Portuguese cuisine? That is number one. While Portuguese cuisine is known for its tasty seafood dishes, you’ll find many different Portuguese foods that are based on local traditions and recipes.

You could be biting into a Portuguese tart, sitting down for some classic Piri Piri chicken, or sipping a tiny glass of port. The best thing is that many of these dishes are easy to replicate at home – meaning you don’t even have to catch a flight.

Traditional Portuguese Food

Excited to try some traditional Portuguese foods? You should be. Portuguese recipes burst with flavor – whether coated in a spicy sauce or drizzled with lemon juice. These are the ten best Portuguese dishes for you to try.

1. Pastel de Nata

Pastel de nata is a Portuguese dessert and one of our favorite Portuguese dishes. The crispy pastry is filled with soft egg custard, typically sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar – much like a creme brulee. Pastel de nata is served bite-sized and is best enjoyed fresh and still slightly hot from the oven. If you are looking for a sweet treat, these Portuguese custard tarts are easily one of the best Portuguese desserts.

So, where did such a tasty dessert originate from? It is believed that we have a group of monks from Lisbon to thank. The monks in Jeronimos Monastery in the 18th century created the tarts as a means of income to support the monastery, selling the recipe when it eventually closed.

Now, Portuguese chefs all over the country make pastel de nata. Pastel de nata is sold in most bakeries, cafes, and restaurants. As far as desserts go in Portugal, pastel de nata is on its way to becoming a national dish. The pastry is the trickiest bit to perfect, and the texture is sublime – so crispy that it nearly shatters with a bite. The pastry is usually made first while the custard mixture is prepared. If you follow this recipe you will be able to make the perfect Pastel de Nata. Freshness is essential with pastel de nata, and the dish is intended to be cooked and eaten on the same day for the most authentic experience.

2. Peixe Grelhado

Peixe Grelhado translates as grilled fish, and the dish is served as just that. If you order this at a restaurant, you can expect an entire grilled fish served on your plate (skin and head and all). It can be a daunting experience, but as soon as you take your first bite, any skepticism or hesitancy will be alleviated. You’ll…