List of Portuguese dishes facts for kids

Carne de porco à alentejana is a very popular pork dish from Portugal.

Espetada, a tasty Portuguese beef dish, being grilled.

Portuguese food is super interesting! Even though Portugal is a country by the Atlantic Ocean, its food has many ideas from Mediterranean cuisine. People often think of Portugal for its amazing seafood. Portugal was also a big explorer, and this history means its food uses lots of different spices.

Some common spices you'll find are piri piri (which are small, hot chili peppers), black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, and saffron. Olive oil is a key ingredient, used for cooking and adding flavor. You'll also find lots of garlic and fresh herbs like bay leaf, coriander, oregano, and parsley. This list will show you some of the most famous Portuguese dishes and drinks!

Popular Portuguese Dishes

Bacalhau com natas is a creamy codfish dish.

Dobradinha is a traditional tripe stew.

Cozido à Portuguesa is a hearty Portuguese stew.

Migas is a dish often made with bread.

Sardinhas assadas are grilled sardines, a summer favorite.

Pastéis de bacalhau are delicious codfish cakes.

Portuguese food has many amazing dishes, often using fresh ingredients. One of the most famous ingredients is dried and salted cod, called bacalhau. There are hundreds of ways to cook it! You'll also find lots of meat dishes, stews, and fresh seafood.

Delicious Breads

Portugal has many types of bread, from simple daily loaves to special festive breads. Some are dense and hearty, while others are light and sweet.

• Bica d'azeite
• Bolo do caco
• Broa
• Broa de Avintes
• Fogaça da Feira
• Folar
• Pão de Mafra
• Pão doce

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  Broa de Avintes is a dark, dense bread.

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  Portuguese sweet bread is a slightly sweet bread.

Portuguese Cheeses

Rabaçal cured cheese.

Transmontano cheese, made from goat's milk.

Portugal makes many different kinds of cheese, often from sheep, goat, or cow's milk. Each region has its own special cheeses, some soft and creamy, others firm and aged.

• Queijo de Azeitão
• Queijo de Cabra Transmontano
• Queijo de Évora
• Queijo de Nisa
• Queijo de Tomar
• Queijo do Pico
• Queijo fresco
• Queijo mestiço de Tolosa
• Queijo Rabaçal
• Queijos da Beira Baixa
  • Queijo Amarelo da Beira Baixa
  • Queijo de Castelo Branco
  • Queijo Picante da Beira Baixa
• Queijo São Jorge
• Queijo Serpa
• Queijo Serra da Estrela
• Queijo Terrincho
• Requeijão
• Saloio
• Santarém cheese
• Travia da Beira Baixa

Sweet Desserts and Treats

A bola de Berlim is like a donut.

Arroz doce is a sweet rice pudding.

Bolo de Mel da Madeira is a traditional honey cake.

Chocolate salami, or salame de chocolate, is a fun treat.

Quince marmalade, called Marmelada.

Natas do Céu means "Cream from Heaven".

Papo d’Anjo is a sweet egg yolk dessert.

Pudim Abade de Priscos is a rich pudding.

Portuguese desserts are often very sweet and many have a long history, coming from old convents and monasteries. They often use lots of eggs, sugar, and cinnamon.

Portuguese Sausages

Sausages, or enchidos, are a big part of Portuguese cooking. They come in many different flavors and are used in stews, soups, or eaten on their own.

• Alheira
• Azaruja sausage
• Botelo
• Chouriço
• Enchido
• Farinheira
• Linguiça
• Momas
• Morcela
• Paia
• Paio
• Paiola
• Tripa enfarinhada

Hearty Soups and Stews

Portuguese soups and stews are often very comforting and full of flavor. They are a staple in many homes, especially during colder months.

• Açorda
• Caldo do forno
• Caldo verde
• Canja a doentes
• Canja de galinha
• Caril de frango
• Cebolada
• Chora de bacalhau
• Cozido à portuguesa
• Gaspacho
• Sopa da Beira
• Sopa da pedra
• Sopa de agrião e feijão (watercress and beans)
• Sopa de bacalhau dos campinos
• Sopa de cação
• Sopa de casamento
• Sopa de castanhas
• Sopa de lingueirão
• Sopa de peixe
• Sopa de tomate com ovos escalfados
• Vinhadalhos
• Xarém – a thick soup from Algarve, Portugal.

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  Caldo verde is a famous kale soup, often served in a traditional bowl.

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  Xarém is a special soup from the Algarve region.

Refreshing Beverages

Portugal has a variety of drinks, from different types of coffee to unique soft drinks.

Galão is a popular milky coffee.

• Abatanado
• Bica
• Café com cheirinho
• Carioca
• Galão
• Garoto
• Laranjada
• Mazagran
• Meia de leite
• Pingado

Regional Food Specialties

Different parts of Portugal have their own unique dishes and foods that you won't find everywhere else.

• Bolo do caco (Madeira)

A Bolo do caco stand in Madeira, where this bread is very popular.

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  Location of Madeira (circled on lower-left of map).

See also

• Cataplana – a special pot used to cook Portuguese seafood dishes.
• List of Portugal food and drink products with protected status
• Macanese cuisine – a unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese foods from Macau.
• Portuguese wine