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
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!

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.
Soups
Soups are a staple of traditional Portuguese cuisine. As examples, you can consider the Caldo Verde
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
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
Salada de Ovas (Fish Eggs Salad)
Another seafood dish, Salada de Ovas
Salada Montanheira (Mountain Tomato Salad)
Salada Montanheira
DG2_9468 by Web Summit
Licensed under CC BY 2.0
Estupeta de Atum (Tuna Salad)
Estupeta de Atum
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
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
Sardinhas Assadas (Grilled Sardines)
Sardinhas Assadas
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Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato (Clams “à Bulhão Pato“)
Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato
Pastéis de Bacalhau (Cod fish Fritters)
No list would be complete without another Portuguese national dish with salted cod. Pastéis de Bacalhau
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
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

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
Bifana (Pork Loin Sandwich)
A Bifana
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.
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Pica Pau
For meat lovers, nothing beats a flavorful Pica Pau
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
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
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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
Farófias
Farófias
The milk sweetened from cooking the meringues is the base ingredient for the custard that coats the Farófias.
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
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Pudim de Ovos (Egg and Milk Pudding)
Pudim de Ovos
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

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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