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The Taste of Summer in Portugal: Traditional Food You Must Try

One of the best parts about visiting Portugal is getting to taste traditional Portuguese dishes. They are delicious, from the peculiar Arroz de Pato

(Duck rice) to the rich Mariscada
, a Portuguese seafood stew. And, of course, there is no forgetting the famous Pastel de nata (Custard tart).

In Portugal, traditional food is a serious business. The natives love the original Portuguese recipes with regional twists and seasonal ingredients. No matter where you go, you can find an incredible traditional Portuguese dish for the summer.

Below, explore the most popular Portuguese dishes and the most typical ones. Learn more about Portuguese gastronomy and discover your brand-new favorite Portuguese dish!

Glass of Wine
Explore the taste of summer in Portugal – traditional food you must try

Traditional Portuguese Dishes To Try This Summer

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There is no list of items to describe what you will find in a Portuguese restaurant. The country has several types of cuisine, and there are foods you can (and should) only eat in certain areas. Still, you must know what to look for in a Portuguese menu.

Thus, here are some of the best traditional dishes and sweet treats you can taste during the summer. Additionally, discover how to order in a Portuguese restaurant! Listen to Lesson 9 of the Portuguese With Carla Podcast.

Lesson 9 – Portuguese (Portugal/European)

Soups

Soups are a staple of traditional Portuguese cuisine. As examples, you can consider the Caldo Verde

, topped with Portuguese sausage, and the Sopa da Pedra
, a hearty dish with beans, meat, and vegetables.

In this case, Portuguese dishes for the summer include light and restoring cold soups. These are also popular dishes for hot days in many cultures.

Gaspacho à Alentejana
(Alentejo Style Gazpacho)

Gaspacho à Alentejana

is a refreshing soup from the Alentejo region. Despite sharing the same name, this traditional Portuguese soup differs from the Spanish version. It includes diced tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and onions.

These ingredients are part of a mix that is soaked in water, olive oil, vinegar, and garlic. It is typically served with crusty bread and sometimes includes bits of ham or hard-boiled eggs.

Salads

There is nothing like a crispy salad with zingy flavors and delicious textures to add a colorful twist to your meal. Some Portuguese salads include fresh seafood. Others have meat or tasty smoked sausages. Additionally, most Portuguese salads include a wide variety of vegetables.

Salada de Polvo
(Octopus Salad)

Salada de Polvo

is a vibrant Portuguese salad starring a tender cooked octopus. It also has chopped onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and fresh parsley. The dressing includes olive oil, vinegar, and a touch of garlic. It is a flavorful and refreshing dish, often enjoyed as a starter or light meal.

Salada de Ovas
(Fish Eggs Salad)

Another seafood dish, Salada de Ovas

, is a traditional Portuguese salad made with fish roe. The roe is boiled and mixed with chopped onions, tomatoes, and parsley. The dressing is simple, with olive oil and vinegar and seasoned with salt and pepper. It is a tasty dish with a unique, savory flavor and rich texture.

Salada Montanheira
(Mountain Tomato Salad)

Salada Montanheira

is a rustic, fresh salad from the Southern Alentejo and Algarve regions. It includes diced tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, and onions. The seasoning has olive oil, vinegar, and herbs like oregano. It is a simple yet flavorful dish, perfect for accompanying grilled meats or fish and a glass of Portuguese wine.

DG2_9468
Traditional Portuguese cuisine has many flavorful summer salads
DG2_9468 by Web Summit
Licensed under CC BY 2.0

Estupeta de Atum
(Tuna Salad)

Estupeta de Atum

is a traditional Portuguese salad made with salt-cured tuna. It makes up one of the most unique and typical Portuguese tapas. You can only find the ingredient that features as the star of this dish in some markets in the Algarve.

To prepare the salad, you start by soaking the tuna in water to remove excess salt. Then, shred and combine it with chopped onions, red and green bell peppers, tomatoes, and parsley. Dress with olive oil and vinegar. This salad does not require salt because the tuna already adds the saltiness you need to season the dish. It has a salty, tangy flavor, perfect for you to enjoy as an appetizer or light meal.

Main Dishes: Fish and Seafood

With over 800 kilometers of Atlantic Ocean coast, Portugal benefits from abundant fresh fish. Seafood makes up a large portion of the traditional Portuguese food and features in many of the best Portuguese dishes. Here are some of the dishes you can try.

Bacalhau à Brás
(Brás Style Cod)

Bacalhau à Brás

is a widely-known traditional Portuguese recipe. It has shredded, salted cod, onions, and thinly chopped and fried potatoes mixed with scrambled eggs. This famous dish is garnished with black olives and parsley.

It is one of the many popular ways for the natives to prepare cod fish as part of traditional Portuguese cuisine. Now, this is not a dish specifically for the summer. However, it is one of the most famous bacalhau

dishes and one you can enjoy all year round. It goes perfectly with a glass of refreshing vinho verde
.

Sardinhas Assadas
(Grilled Sardines)

Sardinhas Assadas

(Freshly grilled sardines) are a beloved Portuguese dish starring whole sardines grilled to perfection. Seasoned simply with coarse salt and sometimes olive oil, these sardines are usually served with boiled potatoes, salad, and crusty bread. The smoky, charred flavor is a hallmark of Portuguese summer festivals and coastal cuisine. It is a traditional dish you will find, for example, in most Popular Saints’ Festivals (Santos Populares
).

Grilled Sardines 5.50€ / Marisqueira O Varino Nazaré
Grilled Sardines 5.50€ / Marisqueira O Varino Nazaré by Yusuke Kawasaki
Licensed under CC BY 2.0

Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato
(Clams “à Bulhão Pato“)

Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato

is a classic Portuguese seafood dish. It includes clams cooked in a fragrant sauce made of garlic, olive oil, white wine, lemon juice, and cilantro. The dish received its name after the 19th-century poet Bulhão Pato. It has simple yet exquisite flavors, perfect for enjoying with crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.

Pastéis de Bacalhau
(Cod fish Fritters)

No list would be complete without another Portuguese national dish with salted cod. Pastéis de Bacalhau

, or Bolinhos de Bacalhau, in Brazilian Portuguese, are fried codfish cakes. You can find these in almost every traditional café
and restaurant in continental Portugal.

They are traditional Portuguese fried patties made with salted cod, potatoes, onions, parsley, and eggs. These savory cakes are fried until golden and crispy on the outside, with a tender, flavorful interior. Natives often enjoy them as appetizers or snacks.

Rissóis de Camarão
(Shrimp Patties)

Rissóis de Camarão

are delicious Portuguese shrimp patties, a creamy filling encased in a dough shell. The patties are breaded and fried until golden and crispy. The rich, savory shrimp filling and crunchy exterior make them a popular appetizer or snack.

Natives create different fillings with seafood or meat using the same dough for the outside and breading technique. Thus, you will often find them in a wide variety of flavors. These are some of the first traditional dishes native children learn to make with their parents. They are also popular options for parties and celebrations.

Main Dishes: Meat Options

Despite being famous for its delicious seafood dishes, Portuguese cuisine also includes flavorful meat options. Roasting, grilling, and stewing are popular cooking methods in the country.

Frango Assado
(Piri piri Chicken)

Frango Assado

is a traditional recipe for barbecued chicken. Restaurants often brush it with a blend of seasonings, including olive oil, lemon, and black pepper. The result is juicy pieces of chicken on the bone, often served with fries, rice, and a fresh salad.

Frango Assado is a popular dish you can almost anywhere in Portugal
Frango Assado is a popular dish you can eat almost anywhere in Portugal

Another popular version of this dish is the Piri Piri Chicken, a Portuguese favorite featuring marinated chicken grilled to perfection. The marinade typically includes piri piri (hot chili) sauce, garlic, lemon, and olive oil, creating a spicy and tangy flavor profile. One of the most famous recipes for Piri Piri Chicken is the Frango da Guia

from the Algarve.

Bifana
(Pork Loin Sandwich)

A Bifana

is a traditional Portuguese sandwich made with thinly sliced pork. The strips of meat marinate and cook in a sauce made of garlic, white wine, and spices. The tender pork then goes on a crusty bread roll called Papo Seco
, often accompanied by mustard or piri piri sauce.

It is a popular street food and snack that goes perfectly with an ice-cold beer. Some people love to top it with a fried egg, adding an extra layer of flavor and richness.

Delicious Bifana Sandwich, As Bifana do Afonso
Delicious Bifana Sandwich, As Bifana do Afonso by Sonse
Licensed under CC BY 2.0

Pica Pau

For meat lovers, nothing beats a flavorful Pica Pau

with french fries and bread. The Portuguese expression Pica Pau
means Woodpecker. It is a Portuguese dish consisting of small pieces of pork or beef cooked with garlic, pickles, and olives in a flavorful sauce of white wine or beer, bay leaf, and spices.

This traditional Portuguese dish is a perfect appetizer, Petisco, or light meal, typically served with bread for dipping into the savory sauce. Some more recent versions also have pickles, adding tanginess and a unique contrast of flavors.

Croquetes
(Meat Croquettes)

Portuguese Croquetes

are crispy, deep-fried rolls made from several different types of meat. The filling includes cooked meat, vegetables, and traditional sausages. After letting it cool down, it is time to create the typical shape and encase each roll in egg and breadcrumbs before frying. Doing so gives them a crunchy exterior and a soft, flavorful interior.

These tasty bites are popular as snacks, appetizers, or part of a larger meal. Natives often use leftovers of other typical Portuguese dishes, like the Cozido à Portuguesa

, to make them. However, they can also be made from scratch.

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Three Egg Tarts on a Rectangular White Tray
Pastéis de Nata – Traditional Portuguese custard tarts

Desserts

Of course, no meal ends without a delicious sweet treat. Portuguese desserts come in all shapes and sizes and fit everybody’s taste buds. You have probably heard of Pastéis de Nata

(Custard tarts). But there are many other delicious options to finish your meal on a warm, sunny day.

Farófias

Farófias

are delicate, fluffy meringue clouds poached in sweetened milk and covered in a light custard. It is an airy dessert that melts in the mouth, perfect as a sweet summer treat. The meringues are simple, made from whipped egg whites and sugar.

The milk sweetened from cooking the meringues is the base ingredient for the custard that coats the Farófias.

Most restaurants also top them with a sprinkle of powdered cinnamon.

Mousse de Chocolate
(Chocolate Mousse)

Most people have tried Chocolate Mousse. It is a rich and velvety chocolate mousse made from high-quality dark chocolate, eggs, and sugar. But the classic Portuguese dessert is known for its smooth, creamy texture and intense chocolate flavor.

Unlike other versions of this popular recipe, the Portuguese tradition does not include garnishes. However, some natives love to enjoy it with a chalice of Portuguese liquor or Port wine.

Natas do Céu

Natas do Céu

translates to Cream from Heaven. It is a heavenly layered dessert featuring a creamy custard made from egg yolks and sugar, a light meringue with cream, and crumbled Maria biscuits. The contrasting textures and rich flavors make it an indulgent treat.

Nata de Ceu — 'cream from heaven'
Nata de Ceu — ‘cream from heaven’ by Bex Walton
Licensed under CC BY 2.0

Pudim de Ovos
(Egg and Milk Pudding)

Pudim de Ovos

, also known as Portuguese egg pudding, is a traditional custard dessert. It takes eggs, sugar, and milk, giving it a smooth, creamy consistency. Some people like to flavor it with vanilla or lemon zest, while others prefer to keep it simple.

Traditionally, the pudding is baked in a caramel-lined mold and turned before serving. This procedure gives it a unique glossy look from the sweet caramel topping.

When in Portugal: Traditional Food For The Summer Season

When you visit Portugal, traditional food is something you simply can not pass by. Regardless of the season, there are many flavorful dishes and desserts to discover. Local recipes use seasonal ingredients to create some of the most typical and famous dishes.

Other must-tries include the Francesinha

sandwich that you will find in Northern Portugal. It has bread, ham, sausages, and steak or roast meat. Topping it, you will find a slice of melted cheese and a fried egg. Finally, it is all covered in a hot, thick tomato and beer sauce.

Francesinha with Fries
The Francesinha is one of the most typical Portuguese dishes

You can safely say that Portuguese cuisine is delicious all year round. So, what are your favorite traditional Portuguese foods? Is there a particular dish you love? Comment it with us below!

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