Every country has their own unique cuisine. Portugal is no exception.
If you’re going to visit a country, you might as well try some of their local cuisine.
Portugal is known for its cheap and delicious food, particularly from the sea. The codfish is the Portuguese’s favorite fish, but it is not at all the only great fish to try in this wonderful country.
Aside from the meals, Portugal has unique drinks and desserts that everyone should give a go. Here are the three Portuguese delicacies that will leave you craving for more bites of Portugal:
#1: Ginja
This drink is very similar to the wine that is produced in Portugal, but it has its own unique twist.
Rather than being made out of grapes, Ginja is an alcoholic drink made out of sour cherries. The process is similar to making wine, where the aguardente (fortified wine) is mixed with the sour cherries, sugar, and cinnamon.
This drink is stronger than wine, and it can taste slightly sweet. The best part is that when you decide to try it, you can do so in a shot glass made out of chocolate.
Many places offer their chocolate shot glasses in different variations of chocolate, such as dark and white. It’s a perfect combination that is sure to leave you happy!
You won’t find Ginja anywhere else, or at least not the authentic kind, so make sure you try it at least once!
#2: Pastel de Nata
Perhaps Portugal’s best dessert (and food in general), the pastel de nata should be called the next wonder of the world.
The soft and sweet pastry is like none other and truly defines what someone means by the word dessert. Nothing can compare to a bite of the creamy custard you taste from the start along with the buttery taste of tart.
You can add powdered sugar or cinnamon to this tart if you like, or just simply have it on its own.
My recommendation would be to buy a pastel de nata from a place called Fabrica da Nata in Lisbon. These pastries are made fresh every day, the entire day, so you’ll be trying the real deal. Not to mention the beautiful setup inside the cafe, which will have you relaxing with your dessert for sure!
#3: Francesinha
The francesinha is a match made in heaven for those of us who like a big meal. This dish is what defines a man, pure delight at the sight of a fat and juicy sandwich.
The francesinha is a Portuguese sandwich made out of three to four different meats, ranging from sausage to beef to ham. In addition to the meat, the sandwich is covered in a spicy and sweet tomato sauce that is battered with beer.
But what’s a sandwich without cheese? The francesinha doesn’t disappoint, as it is covered with melted cheese that looks golden and crisp.
If you like, your sandwich can come with a fried egg on top and a side of french fries. Now that my friend, is what I call the real deal.
I recommend trying your francesinha from a restaurant called Brasao in Porto. They have many locations, but the one near the city center delivers high quality. Make sure not to eat a heavy lunch and definitely no appetizers if you plan on trying this!
Now you know what to try the next time you visit Portugal. There is more local cuisine to choose from, but these three options will literally leave you with the best taste of Portugal you could ever ask for. Enjoy!
