Eating in Portugal: 10 Food and Wine Pairings You Must Try! (Part 3)

Portugal is a popular tourist destination renowned for its sandy beaches, historic cities, and mild climate. However, one of the highlights for most visitors is the delicious food and wine. There are many traditional dishes reflecting the local history. More recently, modern cuisine is bringing a twist to centuries-old recipes.

As you have seen in the first part of this three-part article series, the Portuguese love their iconic dishes. Popular ingredients include olive oil, cured sausages, fresh seafood, and bacalhau, which is dried and salted cod.

National dishes blend common Mediterranean ingredients with Asian spices and unique cooking techniques. In the past decade, Portuguese foods, like the pastel de nata

and the pastel de Belém, have become famous. According to TasteAtlas, these custard tarts are the best dessert in the world.

Similarly, many Portuguese wines gained international recognition throughout the years. The second article in this series explored the Portuguese wine regions. The country is divided into fourteen sections, with different grapes grown and distinct techniques used in each one.

Part 3 of this three-part article series will focus on food and wine pairings. You will explore incredible combinations not to miss when visiting Portugal. Besides, get our top tips on choosing restaurants and stepping out of what most tourists do.

Pairing Portuguese Wine and Foods

The best way to enjoy the local food and drinks is by pairing them together. There is nothing like a delicious meal with a drink that perfectly complements its flavors and textures. However, it might be challenging to pair flavors you are tasting for the first time with wines you might not have tried before.

Do you want to learn about local foods and drinks directly from the locals? Come and learn Portuguese! The Journey is your ticket to fluency. This online adventure helps you immerse yourself in European Portuguese and leverage science to achieve fluency. Click HERE to learn more!

As a rule of thumb, many Portuguese natives combine seafood with white and meat with red wine. Still, the success of your choice will come down to the dish and beverage you choose. Thus, you should start by knowing a bit about the flavors of a dish and the wine profile of each region. This will allow you to create tasty pairings while giving you some room to experiment.

10 Meat-Based Food and Wine Pairings

Starting with savory dishes, explore some of the food and wine pairings you can taste when visiting Portugal. Explore delicious seafood and meat pairings you can find in local restaurants or recreate at home. Learn what makes these dishes and beverages perfect for each other.

Bacalhau à Brás

and Bucelas White

Bacalhau à Brás

is one of the most iconic Portuguese dishes. It combines salted cod, which gets cooked and shredded, with onions, scrambled eggs, and fried potato sticks. It is rich and savory with a variety of textures. Thus, it pairs perfectly with a white wine from the Lisbon region made with Arinto grapes, which are citrusy with an elegant acidity.

Leitão da Bairrada

(Roast Suckling Pig) and Bairrada Baga

Red

Roast suckling pig is a traditional meal from the Bairrada

region. It features crisp-skinned but juicy pork seasoned with a garlic and black pepper dressing. To balance the fattiness of the meat, you can pair it with a locally produced red made of Baga grapes. It is robust, with enough tannin to clean your palate.

Arroz de Marisco

(Seafood Rice) and Setúbal

White

Arroz de marisco

is a Portuguese staple, pairing creamy rice with a variety of fresh seafood. A wine from one of Portugal’s many coastal regions will bring the perfect mineral touch to complement it. Try pairing it with a bodied white from Setúbal, made with Fernão Pires or Antão Vaz grapes.

Caldeirada

(Fish Stew) and Vinho Verde

Another delicious seafood dish, Caldeirada

, is made with onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers. It goes perfectly with a glass of crisp Vinho Verde from the Minho region. Search for grape varieties like Loureiro or Alvarinho.

Tripas à Moda do Porto

(Porto-style tripe stew) and Douro

Red

Tripas

is a hearty dish that includes slow-cooked tripe, white beans, sausage, and vegetables. To match its richness, you will need a full-bodied wine that is also earthy. One option is a Douro red featuring Touriga Nacional.

Feijoada à Transmontana

(Bean and Meat Stew) and Trás-os-Montes

Red

Feijoada

is a traditional bean and meat stew from Northern Portugal. It pairs perfectly with a glass of Trás-os-Montes red, which is deep, rustic, and full-flavored.

Carne de Porco à Alentejana

(Pork and clams) and Alentejo

Red

Alentejo

is renowned for pork meat production, especially Porco preto. One of the regional dishes is Carne de Porco à Alentejana, which combines fried potatoes, pork chunks, and clams. It pairs well with a young and structured red that will balance the seasoning and richness of the meal.

Polvo à Lagareiro

(Roasted Octopus with Olive Oil) and Dão

White

Lagareiro

is a garlic-infused olive oil that gets poured over grilled fish or, in this case, roasted octopus. This dish usually comes with roasted or boiled potatoes. Try it with an elegant but structured white from the Dão region made with Encruzado grapes.

Cabrito Assado

(Roast Goat) and Beira Interior

Red

Another Portuguese favorite is Cabrito Assado, a roast kid with herbs, usually served with cooked greens and potatoes. You can pair it with a medium-bodied glass of red from the Beira Interior

region. A blend of local grapes with earthy notes will match the delicious gamey meat.

Alheira de Mirandela

(Smoked Bread Sausage) and Trás-os-Montes

White

Our final pairing suggestion is a traditional smoked bread sausage with Jewish roots. It is made with poultry meat, bread, and spices. It pairs well with a mineral white, like the one from Trás-os-Montes, produced from Gouveio

and Rabigato grapes. You can also pair Alheira with a full-bodied red wine from the same region, made with Baga or Tinta Roriz grapes.

5 Vegetarian and Vegan Options

Most traditional recipes and regional variations are meat or fish-based. However, many Portuguese dishes are either vegetarian or can easily be adapted to become so. Besides, some can even be turned vegan to accommodate your preferences.

Thus, most restaurants offer vegetarian and vegan options, like vegetable stews and salads. Additionally, the growing awareness of different lifestyle choices led many businesses to prioritize plant-based meals. You will find them, especially in larger cities and popular tourist areas.

Whether in local stores or national supermarket chains, it is easy to find vegan and vegetarian ingredients. Additionally, farmers’ markets have a wide variety of fresh produce and specialty products. Look into five dishes you can enjoy with a glass of local wine.

Açorda Alentejana

(Garlic and Cilantro Bread Soup) and Alentejo

White

Açorda

is a brothy bread soup with garlic and cilantro, usually topped with a poached egg. It is light, fresh, and flavorful. You can pair it with a glass of smooth and herbal white made with Antão Vaz or Roupeiro grapes.

Migas de Espargos

(Asparagus Bread Mash) and Dão

White

Migas de Espargos

is a comforting dish of asparagus and breadcrumbs with garlic and olive oil. Pair it with a crisp Dão White made from Encruzado grapes. Its minerality and acidity will balance the richness and fresh vegetable flavors.

Caldo Verde

(Green Soup) and Vinho Verde

Although not originally a vegetarian recipe, Caldo Verde

is easily adaptable. This potato and onion soup features Galician Kale, a dark green kale typical of Northern Portugal and Spain. Its clean and comforting flavor pairs well with a citrusy green wine made with Loureiro, Alvarinho, or Arinto grapes.

Peixinhos da Horta

(Green Bean Fritters)

Peixinhos da horta

are light and savory, deep-fried green beans in a crispy batter. Pair them with a Lisbon white, made with a blend of Arinto and Fernão Pires. Its crisp, slightly floral character will cut through the richness of the fried coating while enhancing the delicate flavors.

Empadão de Legumes

(Vegetable Shepherd’s Pie) and Bairrada

Red

Empadão

is a baked casserole layered with mashed potatoes and savory stuffing. You can make a vegetarian version by filling it with stewed vegetables like carrots, peas, and mushrooms. A fresh Bairrada Branco from the Beira Litoral, made with Fernão Pires or Arinto, offers citrusy freshness that complements the creaminess and earthiness of the dish.

5 Desserts and Pastries Pairings

Portuguese cuisine offers a variety of sweet treats to suit everyone’s taste. One of the bases for traditional Portuguese pastry is what is called Doçaria Conventual

. These recipes, often made with egg yolks and sugar, were first created in convents, from which they inherited their name.

Local pastry also has many foreign influences. For example, Bolas de Berlim

is the Portuguese version of Berliners, fried dough balls coated in sugar and often filled with pastry cream or jam. Although it is perfectly acceptable to accompany all Portuguese sweets with coffee, a dessert wine adds something extra. Here are five sweet pairings to enjoy in Portugal.

Pastel de Nata

and Carcavelos

Fortified Wine

The creamy, flaky Pastel de Nata

pairs beautifully with Carcavelos, a fortified wine from Lisbon. Its rich, caramelized flavors and balanced acidity complement the sweetness of the custard tart. Simultaneously, the wine’s slightly nutty finish enhances the buttery notes.

Toucinho do Céu

(Almond and Egg Yolk Cake) and Moscatel de Setúbal

Toucinho do Céu

is a dense, almond-based cake made with egg yolks and sugar. It is rich and delicious, needing a wine to match its unique flavor. You can pair it with Moscatel de Setúbal, which is floral and fragrant, with notes of honey.

Pão de Ló

(Sponge Cake) and Dão

Sparkling Wine

Pão de Ló

is a sponge cake made with an egg and sugar base. It is sweet, light, and fluffy but rich and creamy when served with an underbaked center. Try it with Dão Sparkling Wine, which has crisp bubbles and bright acidity. It will cut through the sweetness of the cake while enhancing its delicate texture.

Marmelo assado

(Roasted Quince) and Port Wine

Quince jam and port is a popular combination among Portuguese natives. A lighter version blends the tart-sweet, caramelized flavors of roasted quince with the depth and richness of Port Wine. The wine’s velvety texture and dark fruit notes complement the fruit’s sweetness and spice.

Arroz doce

(Rice Pudding) and Madeira

Wine

Arroz doce

is the Portuguese recipe for Rice pudding. It is creamy, with a hint of cinnamon and lemon. Thus, it pairs wonderfully with the nuttiness of Madeira Wine. Its flavor and acidity balance the pudding’s richness and complement its spice.

Culinary Experiences and Seasonal Flavors

With such a food-focused culture, Portugal offers an array of culinary and wine-related activities. You can enjoy these experiences whether you have moved to the country or are just visiting. Especially in larger cities, you can find cooking workshops and classes organized by natives or local institutions.

There are insightful excursions to help you learn about regional and national traditions. In these guided tours, you will visit local markets and get a better understanding of local cuisine. This way, you will come to know the culture, enjoy its focus on locally sourced products, and, of course, taste delicious dishes.

Moreover, you can visit cellars and vineyards across the country to learn about wine. Many tourists visit the Douro

Valley, which has become famous for tastings and tours in a protected landscape. But you can find wineries almost everywhere.

Keep in mind that many of these experiences are seasonal. Additionally, in some cases, you may need to check for availability and book in advance. However, including them in your plans will allow you to see a different side of the country. Depending on the season you take your trip in, you will appreciate the regional and seasonal diversity that defines food and wine production in Portugal.

Restaurant Guide

As a tourist destination, the food and beverage industry in Portugal is a vital component of the economy. According to the National Institute for Statistics (INE), it generated over 300,000 jobs and surpassed € 25 billion in 2021.

Whether near the shore or inland, in mainland Portugal or the islands, you can find traditional and modern restaurants. These businesses showcase the variety of local produce and highlight fresh and delicious ingredients. But with such an abundance of options, it can be challenging to choose which to visit.

You can use restaurant and bar guides to pick the most interesting spots for you. For example, the Michelin Guide has plenty of high-end restaurants, bars, and hotels. Besides other options, it also includes the eight restaurants in Portugal that boast two Michelin stars.

Another popular guide among the natives is the Boa Cama Boa Mesa

, created by a national newspaper, Expresso. Of course, you can also use international guidebooks like the ones by Lonely Planet or Rick Steves.

Local Dining Experiences

Dining experiences in Portugal range from the most relaxed snack bars to fine dining restaurants. Local food spots include tascas

and casas de pasto, small local eateries, usually family-owned. In these Portuguese restaurants, you can find everything from tasty snacks to more elaborate dishes.

There are also takeaways called Pronto a Comer, serving specialties like Frango Assado

(Grilled Chicken). Most of these establishments usually serve a daily special (Prato do Dia) made with local and seasonal ingredients. Plus, you can visit local food markets and fairs for traditional Portuguese foods like grilled sardines on fresh bread.

Dining Etiquette

Much like food and wine, dining etiquette changes from nation to nation and even in different regions. In general, natives maintain a relaxed atmosphere during meal times. Still, there are some details to keep in mind.

For example, even if you get served first, you might want to wait until everyone has their food to start eating together. With the importance given to food and family, the natives prefer not to eat on the go. Additionally, it is considered rude to leave the table before everyone finishes eating.

Besides, you should always be polite, using expressions like Por favor

(Please) and Obrigado

or Obrigada

(Thank you). When dining out, tipping is not usually expected but appreciated, depending on the quality of the food, drinks, and service.

Do you want to learn more about Portuguese culture? Is your goal to naturally blend in with the natives? Come and learn European Portuguese with the Journey! Click the button below to discover the secret to immersing yourself in the local language and traditions.

Food Safety and Hygiene

Like most European countries, Portugal has a public authority to ensure food safety and hygiene. It is the ASAE

(Autoridade para a Segurança Alimentar e Económica or Economic and Food Safety Authority). This institution, under the Portuguese Ministry of Economy, ensures compliance with the local HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) legislation.

With the recent pandemic, the national tourism authority, Turismo de Portugal

, created the Clean and Safe Certificate. It was given only to establishments proven to comply with health measures. The staff working in these hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafés must attend specific training sessions. Besides, all establishments with or without this optional certificate are subject to inspection at any time by the ASAE.

Still, you must take some precautions. For example, remember to always wash your hands before eating. Check if proteins, like chicken, pork, fish, and seafood, are well-cooked or fresh if eaten raw. Additionally, inform your server of any food intolerances, allergies, and other dietary needs. This way, you can feel safe and avoid misunderstandings while eating and drinking out in Portugal.

Budget and Cost

For a long time, Portugal was known as an affordable destination. With the increase in tourism and the rise of food and energy prices, costs have grown exponentially in the last few years. Still, some regions of the country are relatively inexpensive compared to other major destinations.

Especially inland and on the islands, you can eat generous portions of traditional dishes for less than twenty euros. In large cities like Lisbon, Porto, and Coimbra, you can still find local cafés

and snack bars offering small, home-cooked meals at reasonable prices.

Culinary and wine-tasting experiences, like the Douro

boat tour, are usually pricy. They often have a fixed lunch or dinner menu that might include drink pairings.

A Wrap-Up on Eating in Portugal: 10 Food and Wine Pairings You Must Try!

Portugal is a popular tourist destination known for its stunning landscapes and warm weather. But one of the things that most captures its visitors is the delicious food and drink. Its 800 kilometers of shore provide an abundance of fresh fish and seafood. Moreover, the country produces high-quality meat, olive oil, and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Portugal also produces award-winning wines that pair perfectly with its traditional dishes. From the renowned port to the delicious table wines created everywhere in the country, each region has its specialties.

In fact, one of the best ways to explore Portuguese culture is by tasting local foods and wines and combining them. These delicious combinations will make your trip to Portugal memorable. Besides eating at regional restaurants, you can visit wineries, cellars, and wine bars. This way, you will learn more about the food and beverage culture in Portugal.

What is your favorite Portuguese food and wine pairing? Have you tasted any of the combinations suggested on this list? Let us know in the comments below!

After reading about these incredible food and wine pairings, be sure to stay tuned to our YouTube channel. We are working on a vlog series that takes you to the heart of each region. You will see how locals enjoy these pairings, learn a bit of Portuguese, and get a real taste of the culture. It is the perfect companion to your journey and what you are discovering here!