Date of publication 17/03/2026
Traditional Portuguese Food: 10 Dishes That Will Keep You Coming Back
The goal is simple: to return again and again to the places where you feel happiest. And while you may not need an excuse to do so, traditional Portuguese food can easily become one. With every new trip to this European country, known as “the garden by the sea” for its ecological richness, you will find yourself growing more attached to its cuisine. Along the way, you will discover flavors and routes you never knew existed, recipes and customs that expand the space between your palate and your mind. If you are planning a vacation in Portugal, let its cuisine be your guide.
Traditional Portuguese cuisine
The traveling spirit of Portuguese dishes and desserts brings together the best of the Mediterranean diet with influences from other equally vibrant culinary cultures around the world. Brazil, India, and the Maghreb all leave their mark through techniques, ingredients, and flavor combinations rooted in these traditions. The influence of neighboring Galicia, shaped by both geography and shared ways of life, is also present in many recipes.
At Iberostar all-inclusive hotels in Portugal, you will have the opportunity to explore these and other nuances of its culinary history, with dining spaces designed for every type of traveler. Here is a small taste of what awaits.
1. Caldo verde
Caldo verde is a traditional Portuguese dish with a vegan-friendly version, ideal for winter. This recipe, which shares roots with Galician cuisine, is made with couve galega, a type of leafy green cabbage grown near the Minho River. It can be substituted with collard greens, cabbage, or kale. The soup also includes mashed potatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, water, and salt.
Slices of chorizo or sausage can be added if desired. It is typically served with broa de milho, a traditional Portuguese cornbread, and often enjoyed after midnight on New Year’s Eve and during popular saint festivals.
Whether you are looking for family-friendly hotels in Portugal or a couple’s getaway, Iberostar resorts prioritize locally sourced ingredients as the foundation of a natural, seasonal, and balanced cuisine. Each dish and menu reflects this philosophy. The mix of local and international flavors across buffets and themed restaurants is designed to win you over through taste. In Portugal, you can try authentic cod dishes or a seafood cataplana, among many other specialties.
2. Portuguese-style cod (bacalhau)
Portuguese-style cod has become a true symbol of the country’s gastronomy. This classic recipe is simple to prepare yet full of flavor. Traditionally, desalted cod is slowly cooked in a cast-iron pan with thinly sliced potatoes, green or red peppers, and onions, although it can also be baked.
It is seasoned with garlic, paprika, salt, a splash of white wine, and plenty of extra virgin olive oil. It is served directly in the pan or on a metal platter, topped with freshly chopped parsley.
As part of a firm commitment to coastal health, Iberostar restaurants prioritize fish and seafood sourced from responsible fisheries. During your stay, you can be part of this conscious choice, helping protect the planet and support the communities that depend on the sea. Find your hotel in Portugal and enjoy cuisine that cares for both you and the environment.
3. Cataplana
A journey through Portugal’s traditional cuisine will take you from Lisbon to the Algarve. There, alongside some of the world’s most beautiful sunsets by the sea, you can try cataplana, a seafood stew typical of the region.
The dish shares its name with the utensil in which it is prepared, a clam-shaped pot made of aluminum or stainless steel. The most traditional version is made with clams. Mixed versions include local fish and seafood such as monkfish, octopus, shrimp, or dogfish, along with potatoes, ripe tomatoes, peppers, onion, garlic, white wine, a splash of brandy, olive oil, and bay leaf. Sometimes cured meats like ham or chorizo are added. It is finished with coarse salt, fresh cilantro, lemon, and piri piri chili.
If you are looking for a couples’ hotel in the Algarve, Iberostar Selection Lagos Algarve offers an inspiring all-inclusive experience right on Meia Praia. This five-star resort features rooms with terraces and options such as Balinese beds or bungalow-style accommodations, along with a cycling station on-site. The turquoise sea and golden sand set the scene, while the marine biodiversity highlights the importance of protecting these ecosystems during your stay.
4. Francesinhas
Francesinhas originated in the city of Porto and have since gained recognition beyond Portugal. This hearty dish, similar to the French croque-monsieur, features thick slices of bread or a multi-layered sandwich filled with roast beef, ham, sausage, chorizo, or pork, along with sliced cheese. It is placed in a deep dish, topped with more grated cheese, baked until melted, and then covered in a molho sauce made from tomato and beer, which can range from mild to spicy. Like many traditional Portuguese dishes, the francesinha is served with fries. Feeling hungry yet? The mere sight of this recipe, paired with your vacation mindset, might inspire you to travel with your taste buds first. Plan your trip to Portugal and turn every dish into a reason to return.
5. Bifana
Are you planning to explore Portugal by bike or hike through one of its many natural parks? You are in luck. Not only can you enjoy sustainable travel while staying active, but you will also have plenty of opportunities to stop along the way and recharge with another hearty local favorite: the bifana. If you enjoy francesinhas, you will likely appreciate this sandwich made with thin slices of pork marinated in white wine, lemon juice, bay leaf, garlic, and paprika. The meat is served in a papo seco, a soft white roll widely eaten in Portugal and nearby regions of Spain. Pack one in your backpack along with a refillable water bottle and the rest of your zero-waste kit, and get ready to explore remarkable landscapes. You will also want to stop by local bars and food markets around lunchtime, where it is tradition to order a bifana with a cold drink as an appetizer. After a day of adventure, nothing beats returning to your all-inclusive hotel in the Algarve to rest and recharge.
6. Portuguese chicken (frango)
Frango can be prepared in many different ways, but one of the most popular is piri piri style. In this method, the whole chicken is grilled over charcoal after being marinated in a mixture of extra virgin olive oil, lemon, garlic, oregano, paprika, ginger, salt, and piri piri, a type of chili originally from the Americas that was introduced to Europe following the transoceanic expeditions of the 15th and 16th centuries.
This dish is also tied to the festive tradition of the churrasqueira, influenced by Brazilian cuisine and deeply rooted in Portuguese food culture after centuries of exchange. Are you celebrating something with your loved ones? Or perhaps planning to propose during a romantic getaway? Iberostar’s hotels for couples in Portugal provide the perfect setting to share a piri piri frango on a special occasion, just as the Portuguese do, while toasting with a cocktail to what lies ahead.
7. Leitão
In Portugal, pork is the most widely consumed meat. Iberian pork products from the Alentejo region, which shares climate and landscape with Spain’s Extremadura dehesa, are especially well known. Among the region’s traditional specialties, leitão (suckling pig) stands out. As with Portuguese chicken (frango), leitão is prepared by roasting the whole animal. In this case, it is cooked slowly in a wood-fired oven for at least two hours. Before roasting, the pig is rubbed with garlic, pork fat or olive oil, salt, and pepper. It is typically served with fries or roasted potatoes and a salad of lettuce, tomato, and onion. Looking for a way to explore the flavors of Spain and Portugal? A gastronomic road trip is a unique way to travel, revealing the character of each destination through the history of its cuisine. Find your hotel in the Algarve and turn the journey into a complete experience, with the comfort of a beachfront resort as your starting point.
Portuguese desserts
8. Pastéis de nata
Pastéis de nata, also known as Portuguese custard tarts, should not be confused with pastéis de Belém. While the first name refers to this type of pastry in general, the second specifically identifies those made in the parish of Belém, a district of Lisbon where they are believed to have originated. Their preparation ritual rivals other forms of Lisbon’s artistry. The line that forms every day outside the Casa Pastéis de Belém bakery offers a clear idea of just how famous they are. That said, the recipe itself is essentially the same as that of pastéis de nata. These small tarts, shaped from flaky puff pastry and filled with a custard made from eggs, sugar, and milk, lightly caramelized on top, are widely considered a truly heavenly bite.
9. Bolo de arroz (bolinha)
After enjoying savory Portuguese specialties such as cataplana or bifana, you may well find yourself craving something sweet. A good choice is a Portuguese bolinha dipped into coffee prepared the Portuguese way, similar to Italian espresso but slightly longer and milder in flavor. This thoroughly indulgent treat, typical of Lisbon’s famous pastry shops, is made with rice flour, a grain that is naturally gluten-free, and resembles a small muffin. It is a light, airy sponge cake dusted with powdered sugar, perfect for dipping into a steaming cup of coffee, as it readily absorbs the liquid. You will recognize it by its distinctive paper wrapper, which becomes translucent in places because of the butter. Family-friendly hotels in the Algarve invite you to enjoy these small pleasures at an unhurried pace. The flavor of the cake, combined with the aroma of coffee, keeps all five senses anchored in the happiness of the present moment.
10. Torta de Viana
Torta de Viana, also known as torta real, is a traditional dessert made with eggs, wheat flour, and butter. Originating from Viana do Castelo in northern Portugal, it is prepared by rolling a sponge cake into a soft cylinder filled with egg yolk cream and dusted with powdered sugar. Sometimes flavored with vanilla or cinnamon, this recipe dates back to the 16th century and was perfected by nuns from the Convent of Santa Ana. Since 2021, it has held registered status. If you are traveling with family, this and other sweet treats should be part of your culinary journey through Portugal. Discover Iberostar’s all-inclusive hotels in Portugal and make every bite part of a memorable experience for everyone.
