I used to obsess over French and Italian food and never gave Portugal a second thought. Then I landed in Porto and immediately realized what I’d been missing.
The comforting, hearty flavors, the pastéis de nata, the saucy sandwiches… my taste buds were in heaven. I’ve rounded up 8 Portuguese dishes you absolutely need to try, whether you’re planning a trip or just dreaming of one.
1. Arroz de Pato (Duck Rice)
This one comes from the Alentejo region down south, and it’s exactly the kind of comfort food you crave when the weather turns chilly (though I’d happily eat it any day). The duck gets stewed with garlic, fresh herbs, and vegetables until it’s so tender it falls apart, then shredded and folded into Carolino rice that’s been cooked in a rich stock.
The whole thing goes into the oven and emerges bubbly and topped with slices of sausage. It’s pure cozy magic.
2. Pudim Molotof
Calling this a “soufflé cake” is spot on, and I am obsessed. It’s basically sweetened whipped egg whites that get baked into something light and cloudlike, then drenched in a shiny caramel sauce made from just sugar and water.
The name likely comes from the Malakoff Fortress in Crimea, which adds a little layer of history to your dessert. I love that something so simple can feel so special.
3. Piri Piri Chicken
I could eat this grilled spatchcock chicken every single week. The citrusy, garlicky, herby piri piri sauce is the star, and it’s got just the right kick.
Portuguese explorers brought peppers from the Americas and developed their own chile called piri piri, and now that sauce defines this dish. Depending on where you are, you’ll get it with rice or fries and a fresh salad. It comes off the grill perfectly charred and impossible to resist.
4. Leitão Assado (Suckling Pig)
I fell so hard for leitão assado during my time in Portugal, and I genuinely regret not ordering it over and over. This roasted suckling pig is celebrated as one of Portugal’s 7 Wonders of Gastronomy, and for good reason: it’s outrageously juicy and packed with flavor.
It comes from the Bairrada region, and the recipe might have been dreamed up all the way back in the 1700s in a convent. Just thinking about that crackly skin gets me.
5. Prego Steak Sandwich
The story goes that a man named Manuel Dias Prego invented this sandwich in a humble tavern in Sintra. Back then it was just veal tucked into really good bread from a local bakery.
Nowadays you’ll find it served with rice, a fried egg, fries, and a salad, and occasionally a slice of ham sneaks in there too. It’s a simple steak sandwich that totally delivers.
6. Francesinha
It translates to “little frenchie,” and this over the top sandwich is an absolute Porto icon. I’m talking about a thick stack packed with sausage, cured ham, and either steak or roast beef, then absolutely drowned in a hot beer and tomato sauce.
A blanket of melted cheese covers the whole thing and some places slide a fried egg on there too. And because balance is important, it always comes with a pile of fries. I still dream about the version at Cantinho do Avillez with its incredible black truffle sauce.
7. Arroz Doce (Rice Pudding)
This rice pudding is thick, creamy, and laced with egg yolks, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon peel, and vanilla. The classic look includes a pretty cinnamon pattern on top, dusted on with your fingertips, which is just so charming. It’s a Christmas staple, but honestly the Portuguese eat it all year, so you can grab a bowl any time you visit.
8. Serra da Estrela
This creamy sheep’s milk cheese from the mountains of Portugal is an absolute gem. I could honestly just sit there with a hunk of crusty bread and a wedge of it and call that the perfect meal.
It has PDO status in the EU and UK, so you know it’s the real deal. When I was in Porto, I had it as an appetizer at Restaurante Maria Rita and I still think about that moment. If you’re a cheese person, you absolutely need to try it.
