Lisbon is a charming city full of small and steep historical streets. It enjoys of a moderate and healthy climate all the year long and of a rich fishing coast. So, it is the perfect place to have a pleasant meal in a beautiful terrace. In fact, Portuguese gastronomy is highly influenced by the proximity to the sea. Their most typical dish is the “bacalhau,” dried, salted cod. Grilled sardines and horse mackerel are also very popular, and a mixture of other types of fish is put into a delicious stew called “Caldeirada”.
But the Lisbon’s port not only has brought a wide variety of seafood to the city to be enjoyed, but over the centuries it has brought many culinary influences from all the world that make eating out in Lisbon a great diverse experience. Many tourists think that Portuguese cuisine is to the Spanish one, but in fact they are quite different. Besides of being famous for its seafood, Lisbon has many other delicious meals.
Pork, goat, partridge, quail and rabbit are typical meats in Portugal. Since red meat and fish are a part of their everyday diet, vegetarian options are more limited. Luso People use to say that ‘there are 1001 ways of cooking cod fish’, their national dish. Don’t miss grilled sardines, or “sardinhas assadas”! Another national dish, but made with meat, is “cozido à portuguesa”, a thick stew of vegetables with various kinds of meat. But before any meal in any a Lisbon restaurant, try the delicious bread placed on the table. Another typical dish is the “caldo verde”, a green soup made of potatoes, fried onions and thinly sliced galician cabbage, served with slices of chouriço (cured spiced sausage). Finally, the “Carne de porco à alentejana” (Pork meat cooking) is a delicious everyday dish. Pork comes in cubes along with fried potatoes and clams. Breakfast is traditionally just coffee and a bread roll.
Portugal is a big wine producer and offers a very broad range of both whites and reds, which should have something to please everyone. But the most common drinks are Port and Madeira. The “Vinho Verde” or Green Wine is a must too. Another one is the “Moscatel”, a sweet golden white wine usually drunk as an aperitif. The two big Portuguese beers are Super Bock and Sagres and almost in every bar or restaurant in Lisbon you can taste them.
Desserts are a high point of Lisbon cooking. The most typical desserts are cinnamon-flavored rice pudding, flan, and caramel custard, but they also often include a variety of cheese. “Pastéis de Belém” are a very common dessert too. There is another delicious dessert called “pão de Ló”, a rich yellow sponge cake made with egg yolks that may be flavored with orange juice, lemon, cinnamon, vanilla, Port wine, or Madeira.
Restaurants open until about 11pm. Look on the menu for half-portions, as Portuguese servings can be generous – it’s acceptable to share too. Don’t be misled by appearances. Inexpensive, rustic-looking restaurants with plastic tablecloths often serve excellent meals.
The Portuguese are proud of their gastronomy. If you want to taste it, go to Portugal. Watch out for the best accommodation staying in apartments in Lisbon and have a great time there!
