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While visiting Porto and its region, we took the opportunity to go on a Braga food tour to taste the local cuisine.
Only a one hour train ride away from Porto, visiting Braga is one of the most fascinating day trips from Porto to take.
It is a surprising city in a number of ways. On one hand, it is Portugal’s most important religious center.
And on the other hand, the city is lively and dynamic with a growing nanotechnology industry.
Braga’s important history and cultural diversity has given birth to a rich gastronomic tradition.
Learn what and where to eat in Braga, when you join us on a Braga food and walking tour.
Braga Food Tasting and Gastronomy
For this Braga food tour, Cristiane, native to this northern city was our local guide. This walking food tour was an immsersive experience starting at the entrance of the old town along the medieval wall.
For over 3+ hours, we learned about the culinary tradition of Braga and the rich religious history. We also sampled a variety of Braga food specialties including Portuguese white and green wine.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Braga is best explored on a walking food tour. In a small group setting with a local guide, you can dive into the typical dishes and rich cultural history. This is one of the most important cities in northern Portugal and its mysteries are best unlocked with a local guide.
Touring The Bustling Braga Market On A Saturday Morning
Oftentimes the best way to explore the local food is by starting at a farmers market. On the tour, we visited Mercado Municipal, the main local market in Braga.
The market was buzzing with vendors standing side by side tending to their mountains of fruits and vegetables.
Your senses will be heightened by the vibrant colors, smells and noises at this lively market. It’s the perfect place to enjoy Braga’s food.
We picked up lupin beans, which we learned is a popular Portuguese local snack. A superfood, these beans are rich in protein and high in fiber.
The Portuguese love fish and the market was chock-full of fresh fish and seafood sourced from the local waters.
You’ll see some of the most beautiful fish, shellfish and sardines. The quality and freshness is simply remarkable and will leave you wanting some.
We made our way through the back alleys of the Braga market to the bread, sweets and sausages sections.
Unlike the iconic Alentejo bread we discovered in Evora, Claire fell in love with Braga’s hearty, dense, delicious, cornbread.
Known as Pão de milho or Broa de Milho, It is one of the oldest varieties of bread in Portugal.
Another popular and iconic Braga food is the chouriço sausage. These Portuguese sausages, similar to Spanish chorizo, are made with pork meat, garlic, paprika and sometimes red wine.
RELATED: Evora Food Guide: 11 Alentejo Foods and The Best Restaurants To Eat Them
Eating at Farricoco – Traditional Petiscos at a Braga Restaurant
For the next stop in our traditional Portuguese food tour, we went to Farricoco Restaurante to eat petiscos.
Petiscos are part of Portugal’s gastronomy and often compared to Spanish tapas. They are small bites, but generally, smaller versions of large dishes.
The petiscos menu at the restaurant had five dishes, a local bread and sangria. Here are the highlights of our meal.
Pataniscas de Bacalhau or Codfish
One of Portugal’s most treasured dishes, with over 365 ways to eating bacalhau. At this Braga restaurant, we had pataniscas de bacalhau, which are deep fried cod fritters. They were surprisingly light and quite flavorful.
Caldo Verde
Portugal’s famous soup made with a dark green cabbage, potato puree, slices of chouriço sausage and topped with Portuguese olive oil. This was one of our favorite appetizer in Portugal, a simple and flavorful soup.
Rojões
A local specialty, rojões is a traditional dish made from pork shoulder cut in cubes and seasoned. This pork meat dish was prepared with cumin spices and while tasty, it was a bit on the dry side.
Dobradinha
This tripe dish made with cow intestines took a little getting used to. Flavored with spices and chewy textures, its definitely an acquired taste.
Moela de Frango
The regional meat specialty was moela de frango or chicken gizzards. This dish was our favorite. Deliciously prepared in a spicy onion, garlic and tomato sauce, the meat pieces were very soft and flavorful.
RELATED: 7 of the Best Porto Food Tours You Want To Try – Review
Braga Drinks
In Braga, you cannot miss Vinho Verde, one of the most famous Portuguese wines from the Minho region.
Vinho Verde is a light, bubbly, crisp white wine that is naturally fresh and low in alcohol content. Consumed soon after bottling, Vinho Verde is considered a young wine and often referred to as a green wine.
This wine pairs well with seafood and starters like caldo verde and pataniscas de bacalhau.
At the restaurant, we also enjoyed Portuguese Sangria. Made with Portuguese white wine, punch, oranges, and apples, the white Sangria was fresh, fruity and sweet.
This was an easy drink to accompany our heavy and flavorful petiscos experience.
RELATED: 5 Of The Best Wineries in Douro Valley Portugal You Should Visit
Finish on a Sweet Note at a Famous Pastry Shop in Braga
To discover how Braga locals indulge and satisfy their sweet tooth, we went to Pastelaria Lusitana, a popular pastry shop.
With sweets being so central to Portuguese cuisine, our Braga food tour had to end with some of Portugal’s tastiest desserts.
With a strong history of the Roman Catholic Church and religious influences, we were not surprised to find many conventual desserts in Braga.
Conventual desserts are desserts that were traditionally made in convents. They are typically made with a large amount of egg yolks and sugar.
We tried two traditional desserts on our Braga food tour: Tíbias de Braga and Fidalguinhos.
Tíbias de Braga are puff pastries filled with a soft, sweet, creamy paste and topped with powdered sugar. While we enjoyed this pastry, we found it a little too creamy for our taste. It’s perfect for sharing or eating in small amounts.
Fidalguinhos are traditional biscuits with a unique shape that resembles two-crossed legs. Their shape was to mock the nobles who didn’t have to work or go to great lengths to get what they wanted.
These golden biscuits are sweet and crunchy with a zest of cinnamon, and they pair perfectly with Portuguese tea or coffee.
This was the perfect sweet finish to our Braga food tour.
RELATED: 12 of the Most Authentic Portuguese Desserts and Where to Enjoy Them
Where To Stay – Hotels in Braga
Braga has a lot to offer visitors. In addition to important buildings and gastronomy, Braga has a vibrant center with numerous shops and cafes worth exploring.
That said, staying more than one day in Braga is definitely a great way to fully enjoy this lively and historical city.
In Braga, you’ll find hotels for all budgets and tastes. The following hotels are conveniently located to the city’s main sights.
Luxury Accommodation
For a luxury stay consider Vila Gale Collection Braga, located in a beautiful historical building.
Featuring an outdoor and indoor pool, a garden, and a bar, this hotel has the ideal setting to rest after a busy sightseeing day.
Prices start at $140 per night for a Standard twin room with breakfast included
RELATED: 5 of the Best Places to Stay in Porto For Food Lovers
Mid-Range Accommodation
For mid-range accommodations, Tea 4 Nine Guest House and Bistro proposes an elegant fully equipped apartment in the center of Braga.
An excellent breakfast with local specialties is provided. This charming guest house also has a restaurant, Bistro, serving lunch and dinner all week.
Prices start at $100 a night for a standard queen room breakfast included
Budget Hotel
For the budget conscious, the Collector’s Hostel is conveniently located in the historic center of Braga. A cross between a B&B and designer hostel, Collector’s Hostel offers a unique feel and an original decor. Breakfast is offered daily.
Prices start at $81 per night for a suite with terrace
Porto To Braga by Train – How To Get to Braga
The best way to reach Braga from Porto is by taking public transportation and in particular the train. The train is easy to use and departs from the central station in Porto, arriving close to the center in Braga.
Take the train to Braga at the São Bento or Campanhã train station in Porto. Tickets starts at about €3.20 euros one way for a total of €6.40 euros (approx $3.30 one way/ $6.60 round trip).
You can purchase your tickets directly at the train station or in advance on the Omio platform for an additional fee.
Be sure to take the regular train and not the fast speed train. The fast speed train cost 5 times the price for only a few minutes gained. Check the dates and times on the Omio platform.
The trip takes about one hour and you can enjoy the northern Portugal landscape on the way.
RELATED: Top 10 Authentic Foods You Want to Delight in Porto
Things To Do In Braga – Portugal’s Oldest and Most Christian City
Braga is the oldest Portuguese city. The medieval town is filled with narrow lanes, plazas and stunning baroque architecture. You’ll also find over 35 churches including the country’s oldest cathedral.
Walking around the city, you quickly feel the ecclesiastical power, embodied by all the religious buildings, shrines and sanctuaries.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: For a fun day trip from Porto with traditional Portuguese lunch included, consider this Braga and Guimaraes tour. In addition to Braga and its sites, visit the charming city of Guimarães as well as the sanctuary Bom Jesus do Monte.
Start at the Arco Da Porta Nova or Arch of the New Gate
The Arco da Porta Nova, or Arch of the New Gate, the oldest door of the city, welcomes visitors.
This door is historically significant for being an invitation for commerce, versus other cities where the door was closed.
In Braga, they say, “the door is always open.”
The extremely narrow streets right behind the arch lead into the main plaza. Buildings covered in beautiful tiles and wrought iron railings are everywhere.
The architectural styles range from Gothic, Romanesque, Manueline and Baroque.
Cathedral of Braga or Sé De Braga
One of the most important monuments in the city is the Cathedral of Braga or Se de Braga.
This is the oldest archdiocese in Portugal, and the Cathedral of Braga is said to be even older than the country.
The building dates to the 12th century with a Romanesque façade exterior and two impressive Baroque bell towers.
The interior is richly decorated with gold-leafed carvings and the huge organ in the main chapel.
The Church Influence and Medieval Vestiges
Braga is a perfect city for exploring on a walking tour and you do want comfortable walking shoes.
As we walked around the city, we were delighted by the distinctive architecture, cultural sights, and attractive landscaped gardens.
The religious significance of Braga was evident all around. Braga was once considered the religious capital of Portugal.
And even today, people from all over the country come to Braga for Holy Week or Semana Santa during Easter.
During that week there are ceremonies and processions to remember the death and rise of Christ.
The Archbishop’s Palace and Jardim de Santa Bárbara
The Archbishop’s Palace in the center of town once covered one-tenth of the city.
You will be struck by the impressive fortress-like building, which today is home to a library and various university faculties..
One of the great things to do near the Archbishop’s Palace is the must-see Gardens of Santa Barbara or Jardim de Santa Bárbara in Portuguese.
The romantic style gardens are beautifully laid out and incorporate medieval arches. These arches have artistic significance as they were once part of an arcade from the palace.
RELATED: 10 of The Best Day Trips from Porto for Food and Wine Lovers
Other Things to Do in Braga
Visit Bom Jesus do Monte – A Stunning Sanctuary Outside Braga
Continuing on our walking tour around Braga, we went outside the city to explore the Portuguese sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte.
Visiting Bom Jesus, which translates to Good Jesus, is one of the most famous day trips from Porto.
It is a pilgrimage site with a magnificent Baroque double stairway that climbs 116 meters (381 feet) up to the church. It is located about six kilometers east of downtown Braga.
While there is a funicular you can take, we recommend walking and enjoying the views.
The first chapel on the site was built in 1373 and the current sanctuary dates back from 1722.
Bom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO Heritage Site, is one of the most important tourist attractions. During Holy Week, penitents go up the stairway or “Sacred Way” on their hands and knees.
Walking up the monumental staircase is beautiful and at the same time very peaceful.
The sweeping views of the countryside were quite remarkable. Regardless of your religious affiliations, this site, rich in history, is worth a visit.
How to Get To Bom Jesus From Braga
Getting to Bom Jesus do Monte from Braga is easy and convenient.
In Braga, head to the main plaza called Praça Conselheiro Torres Almeida. Across the Roman Catholic Church, Igreja do Pópulo, you will see a popular bus stop. Wait at the bus stop ‘Conselheiro Torres Almeida II’.
Take bus number #2 in the direction Bom Jesus do Monte. The bus will drop you off at the terminus which is located at the bottom of the sanctuary and near the departure of the funicular.
Bus tickets cost $2 euros one way/ €4 euros total (approx $2.05 one way/ $4.10 round trip). Carry small change and pay the driver directly.
The trip takes about 25-30 mins and there are about 2 to 3 buses every hour going to Bom Jesus do Monte.
To go back to Braga, simply take the number #2 bus back from the terminus.
In Summary
The northern city of Braga is worth visiting for the cultural sights and unique Portuguese gastronomy.
The medieval wall and vestiges along with the numerous churches and gardens are rich in history and tradition.
When you take a walking food tour with a local guide, you’ll learn about the significance of various Braga attractions. You’ll also enjoy Braga’s food while learning about the local specialties.
Our Braga food tour with Cristiane was a comprehensive experience. Starting from the Arco da Porta Nova gate, to the Braga market and the delicious Farricoco restaurant, it was an enriching experience.
Enjoy a deeper experience in Braga, when you take a Braga food and walking tour.
Have you been to Braga, Portugal and tasted Braga food? Please let us know in the comments below.
Savor The Adventure!
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Rosemary is the editor-in-chief and strategist at Authentic Food Quest.
Traveling slow since 2015 with her partner, Claire, she has explored the cuisine in 45 countries and more than 240+ culinary cities.
Her writing about local food specialties has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post.
As a food and travel writer, Rosemary has co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
Rosemary is an avid runner when she’s not eating and exploring new destinations. She has run ten marathons and counting.
Before Authentic Food Quest, Rosemary held senior-level strategy positions in advertising.
Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
This is one of those trips that changes lives. There are so many things to do, a lot of authentic, delicious food, and the spiritual nature just seeps inside you.
You are right Terri, the spiritual and food co-exist beautifully in Braga. A town to be visited in Portugal. Thanks for stopping by.
I think that this all looks so good. I am so jealous that you get to travel so much.
I love all your photos!! Braga seems like a gorgeous place to visit and the food looks so yummy!!
Thanks, Ricci, so glad you enjoyed the article.
My dad loved to travel, and I remember him saying that Portugal was a great place to visit. He wasn’t quite a foodie, but he enjoyed exploring all the cultural aspects, including foods and beverages wherever he went. I never really thought about traveling from a culinary perspective until I started reading your blog.
Great to hear Beth, traveling through food does add a different dimension to the travel experience. I think your dad would have enjoyed the articles. Cheers.
Wow I would love to visit Portugal one day! I actually discovered lupin beans recently and I love them!!
How did you discover lupin beans, Jenn? They are quite good, wouldn’t you agree? Hope your travels take you to Portugal soon.
I love all these old European cities! I bet the food was fantastic, judging by your pics!
Thanks Heather. So glad you enjoyed the article. And, yes the food was rich in history and delightful 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Portugal is in my wish list. It has abundant history. Foods looks delicious too. I am in love with every dishes you mentioned.
Great to hear Swathi. Is there a particular dish that caught your eye? Thanks for stopping by.
Goodness where do I start? I’ve never been to Portugal but after reading this post, I’m convinced that a trip to Porto should be on my bucket list.
Absolutely Louisa, a trip to Portugal and Porto should be on your travel bucket list. Amazing country and food. Hope you make it to Portugal soon. Cheers.
I would love to visit Portugal one day, it seems to be like a popular place to explore right now. Also, a food tour sounds amazing.
Thanks, Natalie. Glad you enjoyed reading about the food trip. When you do make it to Portugal, I would highly recommend taking a food tour. Thanks for stopping by.
I have been wanting to do a food tour. I love food so I think it’s going to be super fun. Anyway, those fish vendors remind me of home.
You can’t go wrong with a food tour Lynndee. Experiencing a destination through food is a great way to experience the place. Where is home for you?
This would be a dream trip. I would definitely like to take in all of these sights.
This is a complete guide to Braga. It is one mellow and peaceful place. What a wondeful place to visit.
This is the place where everything is on the good from fresh foods, vegetables, and fruits. The city looks really clean and has friendly people. The place you’ll wish for.
Braga looks like an incredible place to explore. I’d probably come home 20 pounds heavier because all the food looks so dang good! I hope I can visit someday and take it all in myself as well 🙂
Lol…Theresa. the food in Braga is incredible and moderation or splitting meals helps keep things in check 🙂 Well worth the trip and the food. Hope you make it to Braga soon. Cheers.
The dishes definitely have me interested. I’d be curious to try out a few different Rojões and see what the spices are like.
That’s awesome to hear Liz that you are curious about the rojoes. There are so many delightful flavors to explore. Have you been to Portugal before?
The foods look so fresh! I know it tasted just as good and the gardens are beautiful I would love to spend time in those.
I love food tours and would love to taste all the foods you showcased. A visit to Porto would be amazing.
Thanks Alli and so glad you enjoyed the article. If your travels take you to Portugal, we highly recommend a day trip and food tour in Braga. Cheers.
I have never been to Portugal but the culinary delights there look amazing. I love those open markets and the freshness just comes right at you so nicely.
What an experience! I am all about food tours because I love to eat and try new things, so I hope I can do this one day.
Looking at all thos beautiful food photos made me want to fly to Porto immediately…
Don’t blame you Annalisa. The food in Porto and Braga and is “that” good 🙂
There is a popular food joint in Nairobi called Mercado, so the moment I read about Mercado Municipality I and the rich food culture, I already understood where it draws its inspo! Always a pleasure reading your posts and the authentic experiences you get!
Thanks so much Bonita. So glad you enjoy our articles. Cheers.
Braga looks like a beautiful little city. It seems very cozy and I like your recommendation, there is a lot of information about what not to miss 🙂
Touring Braga with a local guide really does allow you to get you the most out of your experience. We provided a guide to Braga here and there is still much more rich history and culture to dive into. Glad you enjoyed the article, Albi.
I’ve never heard of Braga before, and it looks like such a cute town! The Arco Da Porta Nova is so beautiful, the stained glass at the top really makes it unique looking. After your description of the lupin beans I really want to try some. I agree with you about Vinho Verde, it really is a great wine!
Yeah, another Vinho Verde fan. We had it for the first time in Portugal and loved it. Just as much as we loved discovering lupin beans. Braga is truly a charming town and one worth exploring on your travels to Portugal.
Food tours are my absolute favorite because I love to sample everything! I would be all over the fresh seafood and the bread, of course!
You are right, food tours do offer a wide range of culinary experiences. We love the ones that focus on the local and authentic specialties. Where have you taken your favorite food tour?
Arco da Porta Nova is stunning! What a great way to enter the city. Your trip looks amazing and all that food looks sooooo yummy. I do love a white Sangria, the perfect pairing to any meal I’d say. Thanks for sharing!
So glad you enjoyed the article, Nerissa. The charm of Braga and the delightful food does draw you in, easily. Have you been to Portugal before?
Wow! Braga is such a gorgeous city! The Arco da Porta Nova or Arch is especially beautiful. Thank you for taking us along on your food tour. I am inspired to start doing these when I visit new destinations!
Great to hear Julie. Once you take your first food tour, you will only want more 🙂 Appreciate your feedback about the article. Thank you.
Thanks for writing so in-depth about Braga and its amazing food offerings! I enjoy wandering around local markets but I’m always too nervous to buy anything. That’s why I love reading posts like this. Everything looks really amazing, using simple ingredients to make great dishes!
Thank you so much, Erika. Glad you found the article inspirational. The next time you got a local market on your travels, buy something. Taste something new. I promise you it will change the way the travel and visit the local markets 🙂
Wow! Braga is such a beautiful city. And the food looks amazing! I love all the different markets they have. And those restaurants look like a must-visit! Pinning for a future trip!
If your travels take you to Portugal, Lauren, we would recommend visiting Braga, especially if you are in Porto. Do save the article for your future trip. Cheers 🙂
I am curious about the lupin beans! I want to go Barga someday. Great guide.
Thanks so much and so glad you enjoyed the article.
I love food tour! Whenever I travel to new destinations, I’ll always to join a local food tour. I think it’s the best to learn how the local people live through their food. I’ve been to Portugal but haven’t been to Braga. Looks like I’d enjoy wandering around because I’ve always have a soft spot for medieval town. Now I can’t even choose which food to taste first, they all look delish! I’m curious about the Portuguese tripes and the Creamy Tíbias de Braga. Thanks for making me hungry 😀
You are most welcome, Debbie 🙂 Happy to make you hungry!! If you love medieval towns, don’t miss Braga on your next visit. The religious history is quite powerful and the architecture is very distinct. We certainly recommend a Braga food tour for your next trip to Portugal.
I spent a night and half a day in Braga during my road trip through Portugal. I didn’t get to experience all of this sadly. But I did visit the Bom Jesus and the staircase to the cathedral is amazing.
In person the staircase and Bom Jesus is truly remarkable. Glad you had a chance to spend time in Braga. Next time, plan for more time and be prepared for all the local food delicacies. Thanks for stopping by.
I love visiting local markets when I travel! Not only for the food though. I think it’s where you can really get to know the locals, and I also love how chaotic it can be. An organized chaos lol!
You are right, markets are organized chaos, but also so rich with culture. Also, one of our favorite activities while traveling!! Any favorite markets? Cheers, Vicky.
Wow the Arco da Porta Nova is a truly impressive entrance way. The medieval arches in the garden look magnificent. After all that great food, I can see why you chose to walk after lunch. The food looked so good though. Good food and amazing architecture, sound like my kind of place.
We share the same interests indeed…good food and a rich culture…and Braga is a great place for both. Glad you enjoyed the article.
Looks a really interesting city, we are hoping to visit Porto later this year and a trip to Braga looks a great addition. We love a lot of Portuguese food although I think I would pass on the tripe and chicken gizzards. I would go for an extra glass of Vinho Verde and some Tíbias de Braga instead.
Lol…the tripe was not our favorite either, but the chicken gizzards were quite delightful! Braga is an easy trip from Porto and very different. Definitively make plans to include it on your trip to Porto later this year. And enjoy several glasses of Vinho Verde as well 🙂 Cheers.
Food tours are such a cool way of exploring the culinary culture. I’m a dessert person and I have to say that creamy Tíbias de Braga looks super delicious. Didn’t know Portugal has sangria as well! Another reason to visit Portugal!
Agree, there are many reasons to visit Portugal and the food, wines, beer, sangria and more do not disappoint 🙂
The “Arco” is GORGEOUS! I can’t believe I was in Porto for days and didn’t think to go to Braga. I’ve enjoyed Vinho Verde back here in Boston, but didn’t know it was from that town.
Lucky you if you can get good Vinho Verde in Boston. The options in Chicago for Vinho Verde are limited. Next time you are in Portugal, don’t miss out on Braga and and seeing where this delicious wine comes from 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Portugal is a great place for a food tour! We were there last summer, and OMG I’m still dreaming about the pastel de nata we had! We brought home some vino verde as well.
We completely understand about the vinho verde…wow!! A really nice white wine. Where did you do your food tour? In Lisbon? Indeed, the pasteis de nata are quite special. Don’t miss Braga on your next visit to Portugal!!
Lupin beans sound interesting – are they steamed or boiled?
Pao is something that the Portuguese left back in Goa too, though of course, it is the localized version. We still get it from our neighborhood bakery. It has a small hollow inside.
Wow, that interesting about pao..indeed the Portuguese left their influence all over the world, and they also brought back new spices and flavors. In Portugal, Pao is not hollow inside. I actually found it quite dense. I wonder if it tastes different? The lupin beans are quite tasty and they are boiled and then salted. A nice and healthy snack!! Thanks, Anu.