Lisbon is a city you can both see and taste. Indeed, very traditional, this city offers you genuine delicacies for your meals. Find out which are the best dishes and snacks you should not miss.
Portuguese cuisine is highly acclaimed worldwide. And while it is true that Brazil has experienced a bit of this tradition and even developed several delicious dishes and snacks based on it, it is also true that there are some flavors you can only fully experience when visiting Lisbon.
These flavors are found throughout countless pastry shops, traditional eateries, classic restaurants, and even in the numerous modern rooftops in Lisbon.
They are usually rich and full-bodied flavors, packed with taste, evoking the sea and the land, reflecting the country’s maritime and agricultural traditions.
When visiting Lisbon, it becomes essential to stop by the most typical places—many of which are small and traditional—to discover the best flavors of the capital.
Today we bring you a list of dishes and snacks that you absolutely must try while in Portugal’s most famous city. It’s an experience that will leave your mouth watering—and leave you longing for the “alfacinha” city.
Caldo Verde
Caldo verde is the name the Portuguese give to one of their traditional soups. It’s made with thinly sliced Portuguese kale in a creamy potato purée and is usually served with slices of cured sausage, such as chouriço.
Rich and comforting, this warm dish is perfect for warming the soul in winter—or simply for savoring the flavors of fresh greens at any time of year.
Sardinha assada
Grilled sardines are mainly prepared in the summer (between June and August), but during that time—especially during the Popular Saints festivities, known as the Festas de Lisboa, in June—this delicacy can be found everywhere throughout the city.
These are sardines grilled over charcoal, typically served with salads, cornbread, and potatoes. It’s one of the most iconic local dishes.
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Bacalhau
There isn’t just one, but several codfish dishes that are simply irresistible in the Portuguese capital: Caldeirada de Bacalhau (codfish stew), Bacalhau à Brás (shredded cod with eggs and potatoes), Pataniscas de Bacalhau (codfish fritters), and Pastéis de Bacalhau (codfish cakes) are just a few delicious examples.
Cozido à Portuguesa
The famous Cozido could not be left out of this list. This is a traditional dish made with a variety of boiled meats and vegetables.
It is a hearty, rich, and generous dish that is particularly enjoyable on cold days in the city.
Arroz doce
Rice pudding is a bold and beloved dessert among the Portuguese, and it’s definitely something you must try.
Made with milk and rice, and usually sprinkled with cinnamon, this dessert is one of the most iconic flavors of the city.
Pastéis de Belém
To taste the most authentic Pastéis de Belém, we recommend you go to the Belém district itself, as this is a 200-year-old recipe, a well-guarded secret made only at the Antiga Confeitaria de Belém.
If you can’t make it there, try the Pastéis de Nata, equally delicious, which share some similarities with the original pastry and are also highly appreciated by both locals and visitors to Lisbon.