Table of Contents
The Top Three Desserts
There is so much good food in Portugal that it’s hard to decide what to eat! Fortunately we were burning off a lot of calories touring.
#1 Donuts
Time Out Market, Mercado Da Ribeira, Lisbon
We were here a lot! It is right next to the Pink Street, a photo stop. While there, you see cases of eclairs and doughnuts, which are delicious fuel for a day of sightseeing. Later, we picked up pizza and wine for dinner. The concept is similar to a food court but without franchise branding, so it feels like one restaurant.
Note: They do not sell wine openers at the market, so plan ahead if you want to pick up a picnic or To-Go meal.
#2 Pastel Da Nata
You will see these everywhere in Portugal, but these folks are the OG, making this a must-stop place as you head to the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. It’s like getting a beignet from Cafe du Monde. The monks have been making pastel da nata since 1837.
The pastries have a custard center and are served warm. Then washed down with coffee.
There is always a massive line at the counter, so ask to be seated. The dining room is bright and large, covered in traditional blue tiles. Also, the service is super-quick and much more pleasant than waiting in line.
#3 Travesseiro
Trevesseiro means pillow in Portuguese. These puffy pastries are served warm and crispy with a sugary almond filling. After touring the palaces, we ordered a couple to share and asked about coffee. As it turns out, a house coffee is brewed to complement the desserts. Perfect!
Conveniently, the bakery is on the main drag, so you can’t miss it. When you go inside, it is pink and green tiles. It feels a bit like Mary Poppins might show up with the Banks children. Also, it has been discovered. Indeed, a review from the Shiny Sheet (Palm Beach Daily News, 2009) was framed on the wall.
Places to Eat
Bela Vista
Generally, when eating in Portugal, or anyplace else, I avoid places on the main drag with the name ‘beautiful view’ because they are expensive and touristy, with mediocre food and bad service. However, this was not the case here. It was full of locals, and the food and service were excellent.
Cais Da Ribeira
What was I saying about touristy places on the main drag? We did not have a good dining experience. Consequently, I cannot steer you to a specific location, but you must eat along the river – good luck.
Foods to Know About
Vinho and Port
Vinho Verde is a young wine made from green grapes. Don’t be surprised that it is not green. It is very tart, so I preferred an older wine from the Douro region.
Porto is named for Port wine, not because it is a port city. There are lots of suppliers and different types to taste. I will leave you with it.
Sardines
When eating in Portugal, grilled whole sardines are very popular. It’s not for me, but you should know about it and perhaps try one if you feel adventurous.
Francesinha
Undeniably, this is going to be a lot of food! Be warned. It is a sandwich stacked with sliced meat, sausage, and hot dogs served on white bread. Then it is topped with cheese, toasted, and covered in a creamy beer sauce. Whereas it is delicious and would be great if you were carb-loading before a marathon, it is a lot for a normal lunch serving.
Cod Cakes
The Pastel de Bacalhau in Porto is unquestionably the place to try one of these fried balls of fish and cheese. This place is an event, with an organist and chefs preparing the food before you.
Portugal Travel Guide
Portugal is full of photo opportunities, over-flowing with palaces, cathedrals, and ancient ruins. Driving along the rocky coast brought us to the westernmost point in Europe, with waves that attract surfers from all over the world.
Photographs from Portugal
View my recent photographs from Portugal! Taking photographs is a huge part of my travel day. Sometimes I use my phone to document the experience, but I also have the professional gear to get images suitable for framing.
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