20 tasty ways to eat your way through Portugal

By Paul Ames, for CNN
10 minute read
Updated 5:45 PM EST, Sun March 5, 2023
From the freshest seafood to its golden olive oil, Portuguese food may be the most underrated cuisine in Europe. Even better, the seaside nation boasts a wide range of wines to go with its dishes.
A gastronomic guide to Portugal —
From the freshest seafood to its golden olive oil, Portuguese food may be the most underrated cuisine in Europe. Even better, the seaside nation boasts a wide range of wines to go with its dishes.
CS Hotels, Golf & Resorts
For a nation that consumes the most rice in Europe, Portugual's arroz is unjustly neglected.
Going with the grain —
For a nation that consumes the most rice in Europe, Portugual's arroz is unjustly neglected.
By Grupo Lagrimas
A modern interpretation of Portuguese food by Lisbon's star chef Jose Avillez.
Lisbon's gourmet awakening —
A modern interpretation of Portuguese food by Lisbon's star chef Jose Avillez.
courtesy Paulo Barata
Avillez's Lisbon restaurant Belcanto is the first in Portugal to be awarded two Michelin stars.
Belcanto —
Avillez's Lisbon restaurant Belcanto is the first in Portugal to be awarded two Michelin stars.
courtesy Paulo Barata
Less famed than other European counterparts, Portugal produces many award-winning olive oils.
Liquid gold —
Less famed than other European counterparts, Portugal produces many award-winning olive oils.
Porto Convention & Visitors Bureau
During sardine season (May to October), whiffs of sardine-grilling can be detected at many Portuguese events. Outside the season, they're best sampled from a can.
Saintly sardines —
During sardine season (May to October), whiffs of sardine-grilling can be detected at many Portuguese events. Outside the season, they're best sampled from a can.
MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Some of the best cheeses (or queijo) in Portugal include amarelo da Beira Baixa -- a herby goat-and-sheep-milk mix that was once judged the world's greatest cheese -- and the creamy Serra da Estrela from the milk of ewes.
Say queijo —
Some of the best cheeses (or queijo) in Portugal include amarelo da Beira Baixa -- a herby goat-and-sheep-milk mix that was once judged the world's greatest cheese -- and the creamy Serra da Estrela from the milk of ewes.
By Paulo Magalhaes
The cinnamon-sprinkled custard tarts invented by monks in Lisbon's Belem district may be the country's most iconic pastries.
Pastel de nata —
The cinnamon-sprinkled custard tarts invented by monks in Lisbon's Belem district may be the country's most iconic pastries.
PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Nata asides, there is more to Portuguese pastries than just custard tarts.
Nata's rivals —
Nata asides, there is more to Portuguese pastries than just custard tarts.
courtesy EHTL
Spanish superstar chef Ferran Adria once declared that Portugal's Atlantic waters have the best seafood.
Piscivore perfection —
Spanish superstar chef Ferran Adria once declared that Portugal's Atlantic waters have the best seafood.
Paul Ames/CNN
The crispy and juicy Portuguese pork sandwich (bifana) and steak sandwich (prego) are Portugal's snacks of preference.
Bifana vs. prego —
The crispy and juicy Portuguese pork sandwich (bifana) and steak sandwich (prego) are Portugal's snacks of preference.
Creative Commons/Alberto González
The sun-drenched climate gifts Portugal a cornucopia of naturally ripened, locally grown fruit that's reassuringly blemished, oddly shaped and utterly delicious.
A festival of fruit —
The sun-drenched climate gifts Portugal a cornucopia of naturally ripened, locally grown fruit that's reassuringly blemished, oddly shaped and utterly delicious.
Paul Ames/CNN
If there is one dish that unites the country, it's cozido.
The national boiled dinner —
If there is one dish that unites the country, it's cozido.
Creative Commons/David Stanley
Dried and salted cod, or bacalhau in Portuguese, is one of the nation's most popular fish dishes.
King cod —
Dried and salted cod, or bacalhau in Portuguese, is one of the nation's most popular fish dishes.
Paul Ames/CNN