Blessed with the unique blend of Mediterranean traditions and Atlantic freshness, Lisbon boasts a surprisingly large variety of gastronomic delights that never fail to amaze. From the ‘queen’ Grilled sardines and Horse Mackerel to the flavor of Cozido à portuguesa — a thick stew of vegetables with various kinds of meat to the delicious Carne de porco à alentejana – fried pork cubes combined with clams and potatoes, eating in Lisbon is pleasure at its most best!
A city on the banks of the river, traditional Lisbon gastronomy serves a variety of fresh fish and tasty shellfish delights, that’s why it’s not a surprise there are 1001 ways of cooking salt cod – all being irresistibly delicious. Every year in April the ‘Lisbon Fish Flavors’ festival takes place, showcasing top chefs from different restaurants (all holders of Michelin stars), offering guests innovative gastronomic dishes created from fish and mariscos (seafood) always accompanied by excellent Portuguese wines. The event lasts 10 days and tickets are available either per day (15 Euros) or for the entire duration (135 Euros). Do not miss out this event and the chance to learn more about the secrets of good cooking.
Here are some of the things you should definitely try: Alheira – a sort of sausage accompanied with French fries and an egg on its top; Bitoque — pan-fired marinated thin beef steak again served with French fries and eggs, Arroz de marisco – the combination of various sea food, clams and crabs with a rice stew; Bacalhau à Brás — a typical Lisbon dish consisting of cod, onions and thin slices of potato, add to this scrambled eggs, black olive and parsley; and more.
Being a city of mixed cultures, cosmopolitan appearances, tastes and spices, Lisbon also serves international, prize-winning and regional cuisines that are truly worth a try. Whether you want to savor Mediterranean food or Nordic flavors, African or Brazilian cuisine, Japanese and Chinese food and other types of gastronomes, Lisbon is ready to offer a bit of everything.
Portugal is a big wine producer, offering a huge variety of wines, both red and white, that is the reason Portuguese highly appreciate eating and drinking well. Some of the most exceptional and try-worthy wines include Vinho Verde, meaning ‘Green Wine’ (i.e. the wine is young with short fermentation and low-alcohol), Moscatel that is usually drunk as an aperitif and others. However, Portugal’s most famous wine remains Port, sweet and syrupy.
Looking for something sweet? Desserts are a high point of Lisbon cooking. And we highly recommend a visit to the coffee house downtown Belem, where you can indulge yourself in eating the famous custard tarts — ‘Pastéis de Belém‘ made of custard cream and puff pastry (always with cinnamon and sugar powder), and drink strong coffee served in small shots. Other famous desserts include Baba de Camelo, made of condensed milk; Pudim Molotof, an egg mouth watering pudding; as well as Mousse de Chocolate, Leite Crème, and Arroz Doce. Lisbon’s desserts are usually convent-based, carrying in them many secrets that come from centuries.
Come to Lisbon — a perfect getaway to have a delicious meal and enjoy a vacation full of unforgettable memories. And once you’ve tasted any of Lisbon’s gastronomic delights, you’ll be crying out more!
