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As a coastal city in northern Portugal, Porto food will delight food lovers.
The food in Porto draws from the contrasted landscape on the ocean side, the Trás-os-Montes isolated mountains, and the hillsides of Douro Valley.
As a result, you will find delicious Porto cuisine featuring seafood from the Atlantic. The Trás-os-Montes region brings hearty meats and cheeses.
While the Douro Valley will seduce you with rich and sweet Port wines and fine red wines.
Are you ready for the best food in Porto?
Here are 10 popular and authentic Porto foods every food traveler to Porto should try.
1 – The Most Popular Food in Porto – The Francesinha Sandwich (Arguably)
The Francesinha is a warm sandwich that will catch your eye at first glance. The name literally means “little French girl”.
It is said to have been brought to Porto by an emigrant returning back from France. This sandwich is an adaptation of the French toasted sandwich, croque-monsieur.
A Francesinha sandwich is made with bread, ham, sausages and steak. It is typically covered with melted cheese and an egg on top.
Though, what makes the Francesinha unique is the secret sauce that each restaurant prepares with its own touch.
The sauce which is served hot, is a tomato and beer sauce and is used to dip or “flood” your sandwich in. And, the best part about this traditional Porto food is that you can get as much sauce as needed.
To round up this “calorie bomb” sandwich, you get an accompanying side of french fries. While we enjoyed this famous food in Porto, it does pack a lot of meat, cheese, and sauce together.
We recommend enjoying this local sandwich like the locals. Either with the local Super Bock beer or a glass of Vinho Verde.
You may want to eat in moderation and try the other Porto food specialties on this list.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST RECIPE: Francesinha Recipe – Scrumptious Porto Sandwich To Make and Love
Where to Eat The Best Francesinha Sandwich in Porto
Café Santiago is known to be one of the best places to have Francesinha according to the locals. We actually stumbled on this café unknowingly while looking for another restaurant.
Attracted by the bustling local crowd inside, we stepped in and didn’t regret it. While the main specialty is the traditional Francesinha, you’ll also find many more of the best food in Porto to try.
The ambiance is casual and convivial. The food is fresh and tasty and the service friendly. A nice local café to savor the local food in Porto.
Address: R. de Passos Manuel 226, Porto
Hours: Everyday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Closed on Sundays
Price: €9.50 euros for the traditional Francesinha, approx $11.10 USD
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP – If you are short on time or simply prefer to explore the food in Porto with a local guide, we recommend taking a Porto Food and Wine Tour. See our article for 7 of the Best Porto Food Tours You Want To Take
2 – Tripas à Moda do Porto – Porto’s Most Traditional Tripe Dish
Considered Porto’s official dish, this is a stew of cow tripe, smoked meats and white beans typically served with rice. The story behind this dish is fascinating.
According to legend, when Henry the Navigator, was preparing to conquer Ceuta in North Africa, he asked the people of Porto for their support.
With generosity, the people gave all their choice meats to feed the sailors, leaving nothing but tripe for themselves.
Through imagination and creativity, the people of Porto used the leftover tripe to create “Tripas à Moda do Porto” earning the nickname “tripeiros.”
So important is this Porto Food, that in May 2015, the city marked the celebration of 600 years of “Tripas” in Porto.
This dish typically consists of tripe, pigs’ feet, chicken, smoky sausages, white beans, flavored with cumin, curry, and cloves.
We honestly did not enjoy this local Porto food, mostly because the chewy texture was off-putting.
On the contrary, we were surprised by a tripe dish in Guadalajara, Mexico, which we surprisingly enjoyed.
Regardless, Tripas à Moda do Porto is a Porto food not to be missed. Rich in history this is one of the best foods in Porto you have to try.
Where to Eat Tripas à Moda do Porto in Porto
One of the best places to eat in Porto and to sample this Porto food classic is Casa Nanda. This is a very traditional and old-fashioned restaurant where only the locals go.
It has a reputation of being the only restaurant in the city where grandmas who cook, will go for lunch or dinner. Casa Nanda is your place to eat in Porto for the traditional dish, tripas à modas do Porto.
Address: Rua da Alegria 394, Porto
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Price: €19.00 Euros per person per dish, approx $ 22.20 USD
3 – Alheira – Northern Portugal’s Most Famous Sausages
Alheira sausages are white, smoked traditional sausages from the northern region of Trás-os-Montes. This Porto food is easy to find at restaurants and it is typically served with fries, rice and a fried egg.
The main ingredients in these horseshoe shaped sausages are poultry (chicken and turkey) or game meat (duck, rabbit, venison, pheasant).
The original alheira were pork-free sausages said to have been invented by the Portuguese Jews during the inquisition.
When the practice of the Jewish faith was outlawed, Jews were identified as they lacked traditional pork sausages hanging from their smokehouses.
To disguise themselves as “New Christians”, they created their own sausage, made from a blend of non-pork products.
During the same period, another traditional sausage called “Farinheira” was also invented by the Jews to escape scrutiny.
The main difference between the sausages is the filling. The alheira sausages are made with poultry or wild game, whereas the farinheira is filled with flour and spices.
We really loved the smoky, garlicky and earthy aromas of the alheira sausages. Just one bite and you’ll quickly understand why they are so famous.
If you’re a sausage fan, don’t miss this food in Porto on your travels.
Where To Eat Alheira Sausages in Porto
Today, the alheira sausages can be found all over Portugal. In Porto, these sausages aer commonly found at supermarkets or local eateries.
One of the best places to eat in Porto for alheira sausages is Mercado do Bolhão. Many of the vendors make delicious “homemade” versions. And, the best part is their friendliness and willingness to share their stories and versions of this unique Porto food.
Manteigueira do Bolhão vendor at Mercado do Bolhão
Address: Rua da Alegria 394, Porto
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Sunday 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Price: €3.90 Euros per kilo, approx $4.53 USD for about two pounds
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP – Porto is an easy city to get around. The best way to get to the best places to eat in Porto is by walking and taking public transportation. We recommend getting a Porto Card, which not only has discounts on transportation, but also free access and special discounts to museums, restaurants, wine cellar visits, shops and more.
4- Bolinhos de Bacalhau – Portugal’s Popular Fried Cod Fish Cakes
Bacalhau, dried and salted codfish, is Portugal’s national treasure. This dish is so popular that there are over 365 ways of preparing bacalhau, and some say over 1,000 ways of serving it.
You’ll find codfish prepared in myriad ways, from baked, barbecued, canned, fried, served with potatoes, rice, and other variations.
One of the most popular ways locals enjoy bacalhau is eating them fried as cod fish cakes. In the north of Portugal they are known as bolinhos de bacalhau and pasteis de bacalhau everywhere else.
These little bites are delicious.The recipe calls for a heavy presence of cod and mashed potatoes, as well as plenty of parsley, onions and eggs.
We enjoyed them hot as appetizers or starters.
If you are looking for simple Porto food to nibble on, get these tasty and flavorful cod fish cakes.
READ RELATED: 5 Authentic Ways To Eat Bacalhau in Portugal
Where To Eat Bolinhos de Bacalhau in Porto
You’ll find bolinhos de bacalhau everywhere. One of the best places to eat in Porto and our favorite, is the off the beaten path restaurant, Escondidinho do Barredo.
This traditional tavern is hidden near the waterfront in the Riberia area. It is family owned and run by two sisters. The restaurant serves a number of Portuguese classic dishes such as cod fritters, octopus and cuttlefish. This is one of the best places to eat in Porto for traditional food centred on old recipes.
Address: Rua dos Canastreiros no.28-30, 4050-149
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Prices: €1.30 Euros per bolinhos, approx $1.50 USD
5- Pasteis de Chaves – Puff Pastry with EU Protection
This puff pastry was a personal favorite and one of the best things to eat in Porto. Pasteis de Chaves (Pastel de Chaves) is a half-moon shaped pastry, traditionally stuffed with minced veal.
This puff pastry is a specialty from the city of “Chaves” in the north of Portugal, close to the border of Spain. It is now classified as a product with Protected Geographical Indication.
This means they can only be called Pastéis de Chaves if made in Chaves.
The story of the pastry goes back to 1862.
A saleswoman is said to have traveled through theTrás-os-Montes province with a basket of weirdly shaped pastries. The “flavienses” (people from Chaves) loved them, but there were not enough for everyone.
The founder of a local pastry store, Casa do Antigo Pasteleiro, purchased the recipe and started producing them.
The rest, as they say, is history.
This pastry has grown in popularity throughout Portugal to the point of becoming protected.
Where To Eat Pasteis de Chaves in Porto
In Porto, the specialty store, A Loja dos Pastéis de Chaves makes these delicious pastries the traditional way, by hand.
Besides veal, this Porto food pastries are filled with bacalhau (codfish), chicken with chili or sundried tomatoes.
Vegetarians can delight in mushroom or vegetable filled chaves pastries. We were quite surprised to find sweet versions with chocolate and egg cream or almond filling.
This open and airy speciality store that opened in Porto in 2013 is the best place to taste the traditional recipe. The store is owned by a family, originally from Chaves.
The Pastéis de Chaves are made in small batches, every day and served warm and fresh. Make this your only stop for Pastéis de Chaves in Porto.
Address: Rua da Firmeza 476 Porto
Hours: Everyday, 9:00 am –8:00 pm
Prices: €1.0 Euro per pastry, approx $1.17 USD
6 – Broa de Avintes – The Must Eat Bread in Porto
Broa de Avintes is one of the most famous breads in Porto. It hails from Avintes, a small town on the other side of the Douro River, near Porto.
This bread is a very dense, dark brown in color and widely eaten on local tables in the northern part of the country.
Bread is an important staple in Portuguese cuisine and each region has their own local version.
The Broa de Avintes bread is quite unique with its coarse crumbs and distinctive flavor.
It looks similar to and is as dense as a heavy banana cake, without the sugar.
Broa de Avintes is made with corn and rye flours. Typically, the baking process is slow and the dough cooks for about 6 hours.
This bread can be served warm in traditional dishes. It is also served with starters or to accompany soups.
We enjoyed this unique bread with cheese and ham or simply as bites before a meal. The bread itself is dense and softly sweet, and leaves you wanting more.
Note, it can be quite filling, so don’t indulge in too much bread right before your meal.
Where To Eat Broa de Avintes in Porto
Mercearia das Flores is a great place to have lunch in Porto. This quaint and charming deli store also sells high-quality Portuguese products in downtown Porto.
You can sample local Porto food, enjoy an olive oil tasting and savor freshly made sandwiches.
The Broa de Avintes is served with the ham and cheese starters. You can also have it as a sandwich, with sardines, or you can buy it to go.
This is one of the best places in Porto to sample local products and taste Broa de Avintes bread.
Address: R. das Flores 110, Porto
Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 10:30 am to 8:00 pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10:30 am to 10:00 pm, Sunday: 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Price: €3.50 Euros per Kilo, approx $4.10 USD for about two pounds
READ RELATED: Olive Oil Tasting at Mercearia das Flores On a Walking Tour of Porto
7 – Delight in Petiscos & Portuguese Canned Fish
Petiscos are Portuguese “tapas”, which are small bites, but generally smaller versions of dishes. Typically, they are meant to be shared.
In Porto, petiscos are served with good local bread like Broa de Avintes, accompanied with delicious local wines.
Canned fish, including sardines, mackerel, tuna are beloved in Portugal. They are part and parcel of Portuguese identity.
Today, canned fish have gone gourmet and are popularly eaten as petiscos throughout the country.
Where To Eat Petiscos & Portuguese Canned Fish in Porto
Many local cafes and restaurants serve canned fish as starters or appetizers. One of the best places to eat in Porto for petiscos is Taberna do Largo.
We enjoyed the cozy atmosphere at this quaint spot where we savored canned mackerel with local bread along with Port wine. Even though the mackerel was caned, the flavors were outstanding.
You’ll find this unassuming place to eat in the historic district of Porto. Owned by two female friends, this place has been around since 2013.
You’ll find a wide selection of traditional foods and drinks from the north of Portugal and all over the country. Don’t miss this good cheap local place to eat on your travels to Porto.
Address: Largo São Domingos 69, Porto
Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 12:00 pm to 12am; Friday 5pm to 1am; Saturday: 12pm to 1am, Sunday 12:00 pm – 12:00 am; Closed on Mondays.
Price: €5 Euros per plate (mackerel & local bread), approx $5.85 USD
READ RELATED: How to Taste the Amazing Port Wines in Porto | Best Wines in Portugal
8- Tarte de Amêndoa or Almond Tart – One of Northern Portugal’s Most Famous Desserts
The almond is one of the most widely cultivated fruits in the Douro region, with 60% of the Portuguese almond production. Almonds are typically grown side by side with olives and vines.
During the blossom season a month before spring, the Douro valley is covered in white. Following the official Almond Blossom route is the best way to enjoy the beautiful and serene landscapes.
There is a famous Portuguese legend that tells the story of the almond trees that came to Portugal thanks to a Moorish King. To please his nordic princess who missed snow, he ordered the people plant almond trees to remind her of snow.
As a consequence, many Portuguese desserts are made with almonds. The almond tart or Tarte de Amêndoa is one of the most popular desserts in the northern region of Portugal.
It is a simple pie made with almonds, sugar, butter and milk. While the dough is made of eggs, flour, sugar and butter.
There is no almond paste in the filling which makes it light and crunchy. The divine almond flavors come from the chopped almonds on the crust.
This is a delicious sweet dessert packed with almonds and a best food in Porto not to miss.
Where To Eat The Best Tarte de Amêndoa in Porto
Confeitaria do Bolhão is one of the oldest and most popular pastry shops in Porto. It is an inevitable stop when you are in Porto.
Located across the Bolhão Market in downtown Porto, Confeitaria do Bolhão has always been a popular breakfast stop for locals on their way to the market.
You will find many additional pastries and Portuguese treats including the Jesuitas described below. Everything is fresh and delightful.
Don’t be surprised if you stop in several times for sweet Porto foods during your stay.
Address: R. Formosa 339, Porto
Hours: Monday to Saturday: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm; Closed on Sundays
Price: €1.25 Euros, approx $1.46 USD
READ RELATED: 12 Authentic Portuguese Dishes and Where To Enjoy Them
9 – Jesuítas – Traditional Portuguese Pastry Named After Jesuit Priests
Like many desserts in Portugal, pastries have religious names due to the fact that most were made in religious convents. They are often referred to as conventual sweets or doces conventuais.
This is a puff pastry, triangular in shape filled with cinnamon egg cream (doce de ovos) with a crisp sugar glaze crust.
Jesuítas are a typical sweet of Santo Tirso, a city in the north of Portugal. A pastry chef who worked with Jesuit priests in Spain is said to have brought the dessert over a century ago.
The shape of the Jesuita mimics the frocks worn by the Jesuit priests.
Even though theJesuíta is small, it is packed with flavor. The combination of the pastry and crispy crust is divine.
When dipped in a hot cup of Portuguese coffee, flavors become creamy, melting the mouth.
One bite and you’ll quickly fall in love with this dessert, a favorite Porto food.
Where To Eat Jesuítas in Porto
It’s hard not to go back to Confeitaria do Bolhão for more pastries. The opportunity to taste the Jesuitas gives you an excuse to discover another delightful Porto food.
Address: R. Formosa 339, Porto
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 6:00 am to 8:00 pm; Closed on Sundays
Price: €1.25 Euros, approx $1.46 USD
10- Toucinho Do Céu – Northern Portugal’s Popular Almond Cake
Toucinho Do Céu literally translates to “Bacon from Heaven”. This is a wonderful almond cake from the northeastern region of Porto.
So, why does the name reference pork? The secret is the pork fat is used to make this cake. And secondly, the taste is heavenly and unbelievably delicious.
The divine reference comes from the fact that it was made by nuns from northern Portugal in the eighteenth century.
This dessert is very popular in Porto. Made with almonds, eggs and the aforementioned pork fat, it is quite sweet.
The taste is smooth and you don’t really notice any pork taste. It is mostly packed with delightful almonds flavors and easily eaten in just a few bites.
Where to Eat Toucinho Do Céu in Porto
If you still have room after a Francesinha sandwich, Café Santiago offers a fantastic toucinho do céu dessert.
You could also stop by for an afternoon snack or lanche as the Portuguese call it.
This unique food in Porto is made fresh daily and is not overly sweet. It is simply a good homemade cake with almonds.
Address: R. de Passos Manuel 226, Porto.
Hours: Everyday, 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Closed on Sundays
Price: €2.5 Euros, approx $2.92USD
In Summary
Visitors to Porto will delight in these popular foods in Porto.
In this indispensable Porto food guide, you will find what to eat and where to eat the best local food in Porto.
Whether you love seafood, sweets or unusual dishes like tripe, several regional and delicious Porto food await.
This list of top 10 Porto foods is not exhaustive. These are some of the most typical and traditional dishes we enjoyed and the ones you don’t want to miss.
With amazing local dishes, amazing wines, including the famous port wines, you will enjoy a spectacular culinary experience in the region.
Do you like Porto food? Which of these dishes have you had or would like to try? Please let us know in the comments below.
Savor the Adventure!
Where to Stay in Porto
To make the most of your stay in Porto, we recommend the following options for where to stay in Porto for food lovers.
Budget Friendly
The House of Sandeman – Hostel & Suites
Mid Range
Luxury
See More Options In Our Full Guide – Where To Stay in Porto for Food Lovers
More Local Food Experiences
The Best Things to Do in Porto for Food Lovers
How to Taste the Amazing Port Wines in Porto
The Best Day Trips from Lisbon for Food and Wine Lovers
How to Make Caldo Verde – A Comforting Portuguese Kale Soup
Delight in a Braga Food Tour On a Day Trip From Porto
6 of The Best Lisbon Food Tours You Want To Try – Review
Bifana Recipe – How To Make The Best Portuguese Sandwich
The 10 Best Portuguese Cookbooks To Taste Portugal in Your Kitchen
Love Porto Food? Pin It!
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
Two pieces of advice:
Jesuíta – You should try them at “Confeitaria Moura”, which was where this special treat was invented 🙂
Francesinha – Despite “Café Santiago” francesinha being amazing, please do try the dish at “Trigo de Cantos”! They do it with a special bread only baked in a small village in the North of Portugal that they bring every day to Porto.
Thank you so much for the suggestions Paulo. We will certainly check out these spots on our next Porto visit. Cheers.
Whoa. That calorie bomb sandwich is intense! I love the flavor of almond, so I’m dying to try the almond cake at Toucinho Do Céu. Porto looks like they do food right!
You are right, Porto does food right. Some more calorie-laden than others, but all good! Thanks, Kate.
Oh man, I’ve read so much about the food in Porto lately and this post isn’t really helping to make my mouth water less. I’ve been exposed to Portuguese food in Mozambique and can just imagine what the Broa de Avintes must taste like in Porto. And the Pasteis de Chaves look incredibly delicious.
It might be a sign that Porto is in your future travels 🙂 Portuguese food is great all over. Hope you get to experience it in Portugal soon. Cheers.
My time in Porto was short and sweet only couple of days but I have put on weight coz i was eating my way round to their delightful food and ofcourse drinking Porto wine in every meal. My favourite was the different sausage especially the Chourico Assado it was fascinating watching it being serve in a clay pot in flames.
You are right, it’s easy to pack on the pounds in Porto and Portugal in general. Indeed the chourico assado is fun to watch. Porto is a great city with so much to offer! Glad you had a great time.
Such a good range of delicious foods in Portugal! Your posts are always so tempting. Loved the look of Jesuítas, almost wanted to bite into them.
Awesome to hear Indrani. Thank you. Food is such a wonderful way of traveling…and a great way to learn about the local culture.
I love learning about local food specialities since it most often than not tells you also a lot about the country and it´s culture. When I was in Porto I especially endulged in all the different almond pastries. So delicious 🙂
I love learning about local food specialities since it most often than not tells you also a lot about the country and it´s culture. When I was in Porto I especially endulged in all the different almond pastries. So delicious 🙂
You truly cannot beat the almond pastries in Portugal. Yum. Did you eat any of the local Porto specialties?
Whoa! I can see why Francesinha Sandwich is #1. I need this in my life asap. The almond pie also looking amazing! I am heading to Porto in a month. I can’t wait to use this guide.
Perfect timing Stephen. Have a blast and do let us know which of these dishes you enjoyed. Safe travels.
I missed trying the famous Porto sandwich when I was in Porto. It reminds me of an over-the-top version of a Croque Madame, which makes sense since it was a French immigrant that brought it to Portugal. I’d also try the sausages. I think I need to give Portuguese food another shot because I didn’t really love it when I visited.
Indeed, do give Portuguese food another chance and go for the local specialties. You’ll be surprised at the gems you will discover 🙂 Cheers, Jennifer.
I’m immediately pinning this since I’m going to Porto in ten days and need this menue with me – will try to try them all <3
Perfect!! Please do come back and let us know what you think 🙂 Have fun in Porto!!
Amazing variety of food there. Though I toured around the place, missed out on these delicious stuffs. Next trip will be solely for these food.
It’s too bad you missed all these delicious Porto delights!! Although, I understand. Porto has much to offer. For next time 🙂
Oh I so love this post, dreaming of going to Portugal to eat! Talk about a meat and dessert lovers paradise. Definitely up for the Toucinho Do Céu, Pastéis de Chaves and Cod fish cakes. Nice to see the canned fish plays a big role in food there! Bookmarked for my future visit.
Awesome and so glad you enjoyed the article. The food in Portugal is amazing and it is worth the trip 🙂 Take this handy guide with you and enjoy exploring all the local flavors!!
All of the foods you highlighted look great, except maybe the tripe. I know people love it, and I consider myself a pretty adventurous eater, but I still can’t get over the “ick” factor of tripe. That’s something I need to work on I guess… and I wouldn’t mind going to Porto to try!
Thanks, Mags, while the tripe may not sound appealing. It is surprisingly flavorful. Not our favorite, but definitively worth trying. If not, everything else on the list will give you a flavor of the city 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
With the exception of the tripe (which I just can’t manage to wrap my head around) I think I would love everything on this list but what really stands out for me are the pastries. They sound SO delicious and decadant!
Totally with you Vanessa, tripe was our least favorite dish, but it is a local delicacy worth trying. The pastries are divine and they will make up for any “tripe” experience. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow I have been to Lisbon (never Porto) and never saw any of these goodies around. The pastries look so delicious, really hoping to get to Porto on my next trip to Portugal.
Don’t miss the chance to visit Porto. It’s easy to get to from Lisbon and it is a charming city in its own right. Hope you visit soon!!
This article comes at the perfect time as I will be visiting Porto for the first time this week! I now have a good idea of what I’ll be looking out for. Thank you!
Perfect timing! Please let us know what you end up trying. Have fun!!
I love codfish cakes but haven’t had anything else on your list. Whenever I get to Porto I’ll have to make sure I get on these 🙂
Wow, there is a lot of different dishes I have never heard of. It was very interesting to learn about the different dishes. I think the desserts look tasty especially the almond cake. Thank you for sharing it was fun reading about the different dishes from Portugal.
So glad you enjoyed reading about the diversity of foods in Porto, Portugal. If you haven’t been to Portugal, the food alone is worth the experience 🙂
Pasteis de Chaves sound right up my alley! Very interesting selection of regional treats.
So glad you enjoyed the article, Kristen. The Pasteis de Chaves is delightful!!
Porto has been at the top of my list for a long time and port wine is a big part of that. I had no idea almonds were grown in the area and had never thought of seeing an almond blossom trail. I will definitely try cod cakes when I visit.
When are you planning on visiting Porto? Be prepared for an amazing time and delicious food and wines. We were surprised as well to learn about the huge almond production. It makes such a difference to eat them fresh 🙂 Try everything on the list, you love the new tastes and flavors. Thanks Sherianne!
We loved so much of the food in Portugal. There are a bunch of things here that we haven’t tried yet. A good reason to go back. But must admit that I really did not like the Francesinha sandwich. Maybe I didn’t get a good one. We became quite addicted to Pasteis da Nata. But the Pasteis de Chaves were great in Columbria.
You are right Linda, there is so much to discover about the food in Portugal. This is only a sampling of what you can find in Porto. We also found the Francesinha sandwich pretty heavy, though tasty. Can’t go wrong with the Pasteis de Nata! So many reasons to go back to Portugal and to Porto! Thanks for stopping by!
This is exactly the kind of resource I want when I’m traveling! I plan my trips around activities and photo opportunities, but when I’m already there is when I want to know where to go for authentic food. This is great! The Tarte de Amêndoa looks amazing!!
So glad you find this article valuable. Our goal is to inspire people to travel through food and providing them with the resources they need to do just that 🙂 The almond tart is amazing, and worth the trip to Porto 🙂 Appreciate your feedback, Tracie.
We are total foodies too so thanks for these recommendations. The calorie bomb hahaha sounds amazing. Desserts are crucial for us so the almond cake sounds and looks the best in our opinion. How crazy they use pork fat to make it! Thanks for explaining that! Love the details of your posts.
So glad you enjoyed the article. As foodies, you would love all the amazing food Porto has to offer. In Portugal every single part of the pig is used. The good news is that there is no porky taste in the sweets 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!!
Porto seems the perfect place to enjoy a good vacation. Eating some local food is a must when you travel 🙂 Porto has some incredible food. I would love to taste Bacalhau and of course this delicious Toucinho do Ceu… Now I get my mouth watering !
There is so much to see and do in Porto. If Portugal is on our travels plans, highly recommend visiting Porto and tasting these delights for yourself. Thanks for stopping by.
I am drooling already. I love to travel for food and this list seems perfect for me to explore Porto foods. Thanks for sharing.
You are most welcome. The food in Porto is divine and worth the trip 🙂 Cheers!
Ahh! Food! I’m a foodie traveller myself so I love reading about local flavors of new places. The Francesinha Sandwich is the perfect kickoff to a delicious list, but the almond cake?? I can already taste it… Love it!
Awesome, so glad as a fellow foodie traveler, you enjoyed the article!! Everything is so delightful, the trick is watching the calories 🙂 The almond cake is truly amazing!!
This is not a post to read when you are hungry! There are so many stuff I like in this post but my favorite has to be the fried codfish cake. I didn’t even like fish when I first tried it but I loved it. Also the pasteis is a delight!
You absolutely cannot go wrong with the codfish in Portugal. So many ways to eat it and always prepared fresh!!
These are some great food recos for travelers visiting Portugal! Quite detailed and well-researched. Being a vegetarian, Jesuitas seem to work for me 🙂
Glad you loved the article. It’s unfortunate many traditional Portuguese/Porto foods are not vegetarians. However, you can always ask the restaurant to modify the dishes to your liking 🙂 Still worth exploring the food in Porto.
The desserts all look delicious! It would be so difficult to choose one. I found the generous use of almonds pretty fascinating.
Thanks, Mohana, the widespread use of almonds in Portugal is amazing! The desserts are incredible and many more made with almonds too 🙂
I loved the food in Portugal although I still haven’t tried a lot of these!! I did have a Francesinha though and nearly had a heart attack – it was delicious but one was definitely enough!
Indeed, the Francesinha is quite an experience and one is plenty. We shared ours 🙂 Definitively recommend heading back and trying more of the local dishes. Amazing food and wines in Porto. Thanks, Claire.
I went to Porto last year and fell in love with the food. I don’t eat meat and many of the traditional dishes contain sausage, tripe or beef but I was still able to find so many great restaurants. If I had only read your guide sooner, I would have known all the best spots to eat in.
That’s awesome that you loved the food in Porto… did you have a particular favorite food experience? Now that the guide is available, perhaps another trip to Porto is warranted 🙂 Thanks, Alice
There’s nothing better than eating authentic and delicious food in a foreign country. I’m hungry now…the desserts and the fish cakes look so good! Thanks for sharing!
100% in agreement – authentic food in a foreign country is the best way to experience the destination 🙂
There are so many delicious foods in Portugal and I feel like I didn’t even get a small taste of everything there. I wish I was able to stay longer to try all of these places. This just means I need to make another trip back and add Porto to my stay. Great post!
Thanks so much and so glad you enjoyed the article. Porto has so much to offer and there is even more beyond this list of 10 authentic foods. You are right, another trip is definitively warranted to explore more of the region 🙂 Appreciate your feedback.
The first sandwich sounds so satiating Rosemary. When you begin mixing all those meats you have a classic. Toss in some cheese and you are even more set. I do go veggie most of the month as my wife is a vegetarian but reach a point where I need a little meat mix. Then I am good for the remainder of the month and feel light, chill and satiated. What a list of foods here.
The francesinha sandwich is not for the faint of heart…and neither for the vegetarians. We had it only once and while it was delicious, it packs way too many calories. The story behind the food is interesting though and the people of Porto love it! Thanks Ryan!!