Influenced heavily by the Mediterranean, Portuguese cuisine is big on bold flavours. But it’s best known for its seafood, all thanks to its Atlantic surroundings. Whatever you do, don’t miss out on sampling fresh catches of the day – especially sardines! Herbs and spices are essential to the gastronomy too, and often make up the famous sauces like piri piri. Light sponge cakes and tarts aren’t in short supply either and make afternoon tea a real treat.

As for alcohol, wines of all varieties – be it dry or sweet – are top tipples here. You can also try traditional ports and brandies.

Must-try dishes

Frango Piri Piri Chicken

Famous sauce made from chillies

Most people can’t get enough of this sauce of peppery perfection! It used to be more of a chilli-infused oil than a rich sauce, but you can find spicy variations of the original recipe throughout the resorts. It completes the crispy-skinned chicken dish.

Grilled Sardines

Fresh fish grilled over charcoal

Typically, these little grilled fish come served with peppers, tomatoes and onions, or with a boiled potato and a side salad. The saltiness and char blend so well together, to give you the freshest taste of locally caught fish.

Caldo Verde

A local soup

This Portuguese green broth is usually a more exciting take on your average vegetable soup. Smoky chorizo or sausage, pepper, kale, and potatoes are often added to create the base of flavour, though you might find a few twists on the menu.

Madeira Cake

Plain sponge with subtle orange hints

As it was best paired with a glass of Madeira wine, that’s how the cake got its name in England. It’s always been popular for its modest flavour, which often has light orange or lemon flavours mixed in. It’s a truly moreish sponge!

Custard Tarts

Small pastry cases filled with egg custard

These traditional tarts are an afternoon tea staple in Portugal. Inside the crusty, pastry shell, you’ll find a melt-in-the-mouth egg custard that tastes much like a classic crème brûlée, with a caramelised layer on top. They’re sometimes sprinkled with brown sugar.

Divine drinks of Portugal

Madeira Wine

Fortified wine varying in dryness

Madeira wine comes in a few different styles, from dry to sweet, so it just depends on whether you want an aperitif or something for afters. Visit a vineyard, and you can learn about and try the grape-grown produce at your leisure.

Port

Sweet Portuguese red wine

Finish your mains, order dessert, and don’t forget to ask for a glass of port to complete the meal. This sweet, red fortified wine is rich and full-bodied, and complements puddings as well as cheese boards. It comes from Douro Valley in the north.

Poncha

Tipple made from cane sugar, honey and lemon

This Madeiran favourite is an alcoholic concoction of cane sugar, honey, lemon juice and orange, which is usually poured on the rocks. Many years ago, it was drunk by fishermen to help cure the flu, so it’s got a good strength to it!

Vinho Verde

Green wine ideal for summer

This well-known Portuguese wine hails from the Minho province in the north, but can now be found all over the country. You can also get your hands on a differing range of aromatic and light, crisp varieties, so it can be worth checking the labels.

Medronho

Classic Portuguese fruit brandy

Although its translation suggests it’s made from strawberries, this liqueur isn’t. In fact, the fruit looks more like lychees, and has quite a distinctive, unusual berry taste. The alcohol content is usually particularly high, so just a shot glass will do.