The Best Places to Eat in Portugal

Looking for the best places to eat in Portugal, but don’t know which local dish to try? From the grilled sardines in Lisbon to the francesinha in Porto, and ovos moles in Aveiro, there is something for everyone.

As buyer’s agents in Portugal, our team at Goldcrest gets to see the country in a way most locals do: Family-run tascas, early-morning markets, and cafés where people frequent. That’s why we put together a list of the top 10 food destinations in Portugal.

This itinerary will lead you to some of the most delicious seafood, fluffy egg tarts, and interesting new restaurants.

1. Lisbon

Food in Lisbon is all about variety. The capital brings together all the different cuisines across the Portuguese regions. Here, you can find restaurants that specialize in Algarve cooking, Minho, Alentejo, or Mediterranean style dishes.

The Portuguese capital ranked among the world’s best cities for food in 2026 in the Time Out survey, based on the opinion of over 24,000 residents and industry experts.

The best foods in Lisbon are grilled sardines (sardinhas assadas), pastéis de nata (custard tarts), octopus à lagareiro, bacalhau à Brás, bifana sandwiches, and arroz de marisco (seafood rice).

On your visit to Lisbon, you can grab a delicious cocktail and a small dinner menu, at top-rated places like Mini Bar – José Avillez. Café Lisboa in the Chiado area is a more casual place to eat, especially if you like pastéis de nata and a cup of coffee.

2. Porto

Francesinha is the most iconic dish in Porto.

This delicious sandwich comes with two pieces of lightly toasted bread, smothered with beer sauce and tomatoes. It is filled with steak, sausage, and ham, with cheese on top and a fried egg.

But, no visit to Porto is complete without its legendary Port Wine. However, stopping here would be a mistake. This region is equally famous for a variety of hearty foods that you should try.

The best foods in Porto are Tripas à moda do Porto (traditional Porto-style tripe and bean stew), caldo verde (green soup made from Portuguese kale and potatoes), roast kid, and cod, among others.

At local restaurants, like ODE Porto Wine House or Cantinho do Avillez, you can try a whole range of traditional Porto dishes with delicious Portuguese wines.

3. Aveiro

Aveiro’s signature dish comes in small edible shells known as ovos moles. These are soft little cakes of egg yolks shaped to look like seashells.

The best foods in Aveiro, besides the ovos moles, are often seafood and eel dishes. You may enjoy as arroz de marisco (seafood rice), raia com molho pitau (skate with pitau sauce), and the traditional caldeirada de enguias (eel stew).

If you are wondering where to eat in Portugal, high-rated venues like Restaurante Picota and Restaurante O Bairro in Aveiro can cater to both meat and seafood enthusiasts.

4. Braga

For traditional Minho cooking, there is no better place than Braga.

Minho cuisine is pork-heavy, hearty, and wine-oriented. The region produces green wine (vinho verde) that you can pair with almost every meal, alongside its signature salt cod (bacalhau).

The best foods in Braga are codfish Braga-style (bacalhau à Braga), Minho-style braised pork (rojões à moda do Minho), kale soup (caldo verde), and blood porridge with pork (papas de sarrabulho).

You will also come across dense, dark corn bread, also known as broa de avintes, which gets served practically with every dish. Some of the highest-rated Portugal restaurants in the local area are Antù Braga and Tasquinha do Fujacal.

6. Coimbra

In Coimbra, one dish seems to stand out: Chanfana

This is a slow-cooked goat meat and red wine casserole rich in flavor and a classic dish for central Portugal. It is baked in clay pots and marinated in bay leaves, garlic, and pepper.

Other best foods in Coimbra to add to your bucket list are the various regional sweets and the roast suckling pig (Bairrada-style leitão).

For places to eat, Arcadas is a renowned fine dining restaurant in Coimbra, of the 5-star Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas. It was recognized among the top 500 best restaurants in the world.

7. Algarve

When we think of Algarve’s food, the first dish that comes to mind is cataplana.

This traditional Portuguese dish can be made with meat or fish. It is smoky, savory, and full of flavor.

Other best foods to eat in the Algarve are piri-piri chicken, clams, and grilled fish. We also suggest you take your meals to a completely different level by trying Algarve’s DOC wines and medronho (traditional Portuguese fruit spirit).

This region is famous for its luxury resorts, five-star hotels, and Michelin-star restaurants in Portugal where you can relax by the ocean and savor every dish.

To find out more about wine tasting, check our article for the best Portugal wine tours.

8. Setúbal

For Setúbal, the most famous local specialty is choco frito – and no, it is not chocolate.

Choco frito is fried cuttlefish that comes with fries or potato chips. It is a classic dish from the Setúbal region, and a must-try if you are visiting Portugal.

You will also come across a series of tuna and pasta dishes with seafood like clams and shrimps, which for many locals and travelers are some of the best foods to eat in Setúbal.

Some traditional restaurants in the Setúbal district that stand out are Stō Restaurante, Selo de Mar, and A Tasca do Duca, to name a few.

9. Óbidos

Óbidos is most famous for Ginjinha, which is a traditional sour cherry liqueur that often comes in an edible chocolate cup.

This stunning medieval town has a variety of traditional salty dishes and sweets that you can try. You can dine at top-rated restaurants, such as A Nova Casa de Ramiro and À JANELA, among many more.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You 

Goldcrest is the first buyer’s agent in Portugal. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process. 

Unlike traditional real estate agents in Portugal who represent the seller, we are dedicated exclusively to protecting the buyer’s interests. 

If you are looking to purchase property in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team of skilled experts is available to solve all your real estate doubts, helping you with the property search and offering insightful expertise and strategic advice. 

Why choose Goldcrest?

• Local knowledge: With offices located across Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally across the country.
• Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each individual client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price.
• Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is completely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time. We can also help you buy property remotely.
• Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide full market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices.
• Network of partners: We have a close network of partners, including lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.