Any self-respecting trip must absolutely include the discovery of local gastronomy. In this way, it is possible to venture into the history of the local population, immerse oneself in its traditions and taste the flavours of the chosen destination. Porto is one of the Portuguese tourist destinations where visitors can sample the best of the country's traditional cuisine.
Typical local cuisine places particular emphasis on fish and seafood recipes, but in Porto the locals have also developed a genuine cult of tripe stew, which is why they are also known by the nickname'tripe eaters'. From fish to meat to desserts, here are 10 typical Portuguese specialities not to be missed in Porto, perhaps accompanied by a good glass of local wine.
1 - Pastéis de bacalhau
'There are more types of cod than there are days in a year'. So goes a famous Portuguese saying, which gives a good idea of how much cod is used in the local culinary tradition, so much so that it forms the basis of it. To prepare this dish, the fish is sliced and turned into croquettes that are golden on the outside and soft on the inside.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner, snack
Average cost: €4.00
Main ingredients: cod, rice
2 - Hot green
This is a soup where the main ingredients are potatoes, onions, kale and slices of pork sausage (chouriço). It is usually eaten during traditional Portuguese festivals, such as the one dedicated to the patron saint.
Recommended: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €3.00
Main ingredients: potatoes, onions, kale, pork sausage
3 - Tripas à Moda do Porto
The city's typical dish has a particular story about it. The story goes that when Henry the Navigator was preparing for one of his expeditions, he asked the people of Porto for help in gathering supplies. The response was very generous, but the townspeople were left with only scraps and innards to spare. Of necessity, virtue: thus Tripas à Moda do Porto was born!
Recommended: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €6.00
Main ingredients: animal offal, beans, sausage, vegetables and spices
4 - Francesinha
You know the classic ham and cheese sandwich? In this Portuguese version, the amount of cheese inside the sandwich is tripled, the ham is seasoned and the whole thing is covered with a good amount of meat sauce in the middle. The dish is very similar to the French croque monsieur, from which it got its name(Francesinha means'little French lady').
Recommended for: always
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: bread, ham, cheese, meat sauce
5 - Cozido à portuguesa
This is a dish made with chicken, beef and pork, enriched with various pork sausages and blood sausages. As you can see, it is not a speciality suitable for everyone and is quite heavy. It is also often accompanied by boiled carrots, beans and cabbage.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €13.00
Main ingredients: chicken, beef and pork, pork sausages, blood sausages, vegetables
6 - Bacalhau à brás
Once again, cod is the star of this speciality. The fish is cut into slices and combined with onions and chips, enriched with olives and parsley: this is the typical bacalhau à brás.
Recommended: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: cod, potatoes, onions, olives, parsley
7 - Caldeirada de peixe
To prepare this dish, all you have to do is take all the fish available and combine it in a pot. It is, in fact, a stew made from different types of fish and shellfish, enriched with tomato sauce, spices and various herbs. It is undoubtedly a hearty speciality, perhaps to be enjoyed when returning from a day at the beach.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €12.00
Main ingredients: various types of fish and shellfish, tomato, herbs and spices
8 - Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato
Seafood is the star of this speciality, especially clams. Accompanied by a cold beer, this dish continues even when the shells are all empty. It is recommended to dip the bread in the sauce that accompanies the clams, made with olive oil, coriander, garlic and white wine.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner, snack
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: clams, white wine, olive oil, garlic, coriander
9 - Torta de Azeitão
Photo by Sharon Hahn Darlin. Desserts are very popular in Portuguese cuisine, especially those made with eggs. This dessert, a soft and spongy cake covered with egg yolk, is no exception. Its peculiarity is that it is rolled up to assume its typical final shape.
Recommended for: dessert at the end of a meal, snack
Average cost: €5.00
Main ingredients: egg, sugar, corn flour, cinnamon
10 - Polvo à Lagareiro
One cannot miss an octopus dish among the specialities to be sampled in Porto. This recipe is also typical of important holidays, such as Christmas or Easter. Almost all restaurants include it on the menu. The octopus is first roasted and then dipped in olive oil and served with baked potatoes.
Recommended: appetiser
Average cost: €11.00
Main ingredients: octopus, olive oil, potatoes
Where to eat in Porto: best restaurants, typical places and street food
In Porto, there is no shortage of bars, restaurants and places where you can have a quick lunch or a quiet dinner. Portuguese cuisine is varied and very tasty.
Therefore, expect dishes that will satisfy both fish and meat lovers (although fish prevails).
The basic ingredients of the dishes are fish, potatoes, seafood and rice!
One of the liveliest and most restaurant-filled areas is the Ribeira, the lower part of the city, on the banks of the Duero where places to have a meal and enjoy a great view abound.
In general, prices are quite reasonable, although of course the venues in the centre are more expensive.
1 - Mercearia das Flores
Description: a small place in the centre of Porto, halfway between a bistro, a restaurant and a shop where you can buy strictly local and organic products. Ideal for a snack or a quick lunch
Speciality: sardines, mackerel and crostoni with cheese
Average price: from €15.00 per person
Address: rue das Flores 110, Get directions - Official Website
2 - Grelhador da Boavista
Description: the typical Sunday family lunch place open since 1997 offers meat or fish dishes to choose from the counter
Speciality: fresh grilled meat and fish
Average price: from €25.00 per person
Address: rue da Meditação 39, Get directions - Fb page
3 - Mini Chefe
Description: few seats, traditional Portuguese cuisine cooked the old-fashioned way and exquisite dishes. The prices are super honest!
Speciality: soups and codfish
Average price: from €10.00 per person
Address: rue da Firmeza 129, Get directions
4 - Casa do Pescador
Description: another classic traditional restaurant is mainly frequented by families and groups of friends looking for the perfect bacalhau and a good fish soup.
Speciality: cod and fish soup
Average price: from €15.00 per person
Address: rue Vasco da Gama 16, Get directions
5 - Café Santiago
Description: this is a ristobar a few steps away from the beautiful and charming Igreja de Santo Ildefonso that serves the best Francesinha
Speciality: francesinha
Average price: from €12.00 per person
Address: rue de Passos Manuel 226, Get directions - Official Website
