...and where to find them in Porto
Portuguese cuisine often flies under the radar. Its coastal position places more of an emphasis on seafood, while spices and oils punch up the flavor of hearty meats. On top of that, iconic sweets and wines add treats to every meal.
About a year ago, I got to spend a good chunk of time in Porto, enjoying every item on this list. This includes a three-a-day routine when it came to pastel de nata.
I decided to curate a little list of the things you’ve got to try while in Portugal. Naturally my suggestions for where to find these goodies will be anchored in the Porto area. While Portuguese cuisine does have some strong regional tendencies, I can’t think of any reason why this same selection wouldn’t apply to other hubs where you might find yourself.
1 Francesinha
The Francesinha is an iconic Porto item… and it is heavy! It’s a sandwich stuffed with meats (steak, ham, sausage), then drenched in a rich tomato-beer sauce. It might be further topped with melted cheese and maybe a fried egg. Jokingly, I’ve made plans with a friend to open up a Philly-Portuguese fusion restaurant and to try and francesinha a cheesesteak. It’s true comfort food, Portuguese style.
I had one almost upon landing–at a nondescript café just outside the airport. The best one I wound up trying was at the Mercado Bom Sucesso food court. Café Santiago is widely seen as the iconic spot for the sandwich, but if you want something that feels a bit more like a well kept secret, head to O Golfinho.
2 Bacalhau à Brás
Salted cod is a national obsession in Portugal. Salty fish, sharp onions, hearty potatoes, and scrambled eggs. I’ll be honest, this isn’t always my favorite dish, but it’s a Portuguese essential. When it’s done right, I find it really satisfying.
This version mixes it with onions, matchstick-potatoes, and scrambled eggs for a creamy, comforting, savory-rich dish. It’s Portuguese soul food. Culto ao Bacalhau provides a cod-focused experience near Bolhão Market.
3 Bolinhos de Bacalhau
I wasn’t kidding when I said Portugal sure loves their salted cod. This iteration takes a fritter approach to it. These fried cod cakes are crispy outside, soft inside, salty and herby. It probably works best as a side or appetizer.
The Casa Portuguesa near the Mercado Bacalhau has them widely available and they’re probably some of the best you’ll find around town.
4 Polvo à Lagareiro
If you’re in Iberia, you’re gonna encounter quite a bit of octopus. Every market, every grocer. Polvo. I appreciate a well prepared octopus. This version has it roasted till almost smoky, drenched in olive oil and garlic. Rustic, simple, and so Atlantic.
This is a good dish to anchor a proper seafood tasca experience. It’s also a good option for getting a nicer dinner out along the Douro. Terreiro offers the roast octopus with a side of stunning Douro River views and serves a signature seared octopus dish.
5 Sardinhas Assadas
I’m surprised I made it as far as item number five before getting to sardines. Portugal sure loves canning its fish! Salt, char, maybe a squeeze of lemon - grilled sardines in season are fresh Atlantic bliss, summery, salty and smoky. Loved by locals since forever.
I don’t think I’d actually recommend going out for sardines. They’re tinned and meant to be portable! You can find some great artisan sardines at one of Porto’s many marketplaces.
6 Caldo Verde
Does every culture have its own cozy, feel-good soup? Portugal sure does! Comforting, simple, hearty. It’s a green soup with kale, potatoes, chouriço. You’ll find it on many casual menus throughout Porto.
Caldo Verde is a very hearty homestyle offering, so I recommend a spot like Cana Verde which manages to capture that vibe despite being a short walk from the Sao Bento station.
7 Bifana
Bifana is a sandwich that reminds me a little bit of milanesa. Garlicky, spiced pork slices stuffed in a bun. Imagine the pounded steak of a milanesa swapped out for a thin spiced pork cutlet, then put on a much fluffier bread roll. It’s a good sandwich alternative when you want something a little less wet than the francesinha.
The most frequently recommended Bifana spot is Conga… and they’re right! The location is convenient, walkable from the Trindade station.
8 Pastel de Nata
I’ve done a deep dive into pastel de nata… the sweet, flaky, creamy treat invented by monks ages ago and still going strong. Had dozens over the course of my three week visit.
Get them at a pastelaria or bakery anywhere in Porto’s historic center… often best first thing in the morning with a bica (espresso). Or if you’re in Lisbon wanting to indulge the history of this dish, check out Pasteis de Belém, a direct descendant from the monastic birthplace of this treat.
9 Queijo Serra da Estrela
Do you like sheep cheese? Portugal seems to do this especially well. Creamy, rustic, a bit tangy. Similar to my note about the sardines–find a market you love and a vendor who specializes at it. I’d suggest wandering the aisles of Mercado Bolhau for a bit, where you’re likely to run into a good option.
10 Arroz de Pato
Rice and duck is such a familiar Asian offering that it’s fun to have a Portuguese take on the comfort dish. Duck cooked until tender, shredded, then baked with rice infused with duck broth. I especially appreciate when it’s topped with chouriço, for an extra Portuguese feel. Smoky and satisfying.
A restaurant I heard highly recommended for this dish, but that I never got to try unfortunately was Zé Bota. It’s a staple!
11 Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato
Clams in garlic-olive oil-herb sauce. This is a good example of why Portugal is a dream for any fans of olive oil, garlic, and seafood working in combo. Light, briny, and utterly satisfying. It’s best found at seafood-heavy tascas and marisqueiras around Porto or nearby coastal towns.
You can find delicious Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato in Porto at seafood-focused spots like Ostras & Coisas, known for fresh seafood, and excellent traditional restaurants in nearby Matosinhos.
12 Polvo em Salmorejo
Another entry for octopus lovers. "Polvo em Salmorejo" is a dish pairing octopus with salmorejo, a traditional thick, cold tomato-based soup or cream from Southern Spain. Iberia’s love for octopus and seafood runs deep. Rustic, ocean-fresh, and deeply local.
I don’t have any Porto recommendations that are super specific to this dish but Treze Restaurante is praised for their octopus preparations in the Ribeira/Foz areas.
13 Port Wine
Portugal’s wine pride: sweet, rich, often fortified is perfect after a heavy meal like francesinha or cod dishes. It’s part of the culture and heritage.
Decent port is widely available, even in your most basic grocery stores. We were pretty happy with what Pingo Doce had to offer. But I might also suggest booking a wine tour around the Douro Valley for a deeper cut.
14 Bica
A Bica in Portugal is Portugal's beloved version of an espresso, known for being strong, short, smooth, and slightly less bitter than Italian espresso due to lighter roasts, often served in small demitasse cups and enjoyed quickly at the counter with a pastry like a pastel de nata. The name is actually an acronym for "Beba Isto Com Açúcar" (Drink This With Sugar), a nod to its rich flavor that can be enjoyed plain or sweetened.
There’s absolutely no shortage of spots around Porto for good Bica, but my personal favorite is Floresta Cafe right on Rue das Flores.