Ok, we’re calling it… Portugal is one of Europe’s best places to eat. You’ve got everything here. Pasta del Nata (we can polish off a fair few in one sitting), piri piri chicken, francesinha, bifana… we really don’t have the word count to mention them all. And while summer brings its share of seasonal produce, the months beyond reveal another side of Portugal’s culinary scene, making any time of year a good excuse to plan a trip centred around what you’ll eat next. Dig in:

Lisbon: For Portugal’s Most Iconic Dishes

The Lowdown: From perfectly flaky pastel de nata to Portugal’s most famous salt cod recipes, Lisbon is where visitors can savour the dishes that have defined the country’s culinary identity for generations. The capital’s vibrant food scene blends traditional tascas with contemporary restaurants, neighbourhood wine bars and bustling food markets, making it an essential stop for anyone wanting to experience authentic Portuguese cuisine.

What to Eat: No visit is complete without trying bacalhau à Brás, the much-loved dish of salted cod, finely shredded potatoes and egg, or enjoying a warm pastel de nata fresh from the oven from the Pastéis de Belém bakery where they first originated. Beyond the restaurants, food lovers should explore the Time Out food market and neighbourhoods including Mouraria, Intendente and Príncipe Real, where independent cafés, wine bars and traditional taverns sit side by side.

Where to Stay: Located in the heart of Intendente and with a coveted restaurant, 1908 Lisboa Hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring Lisbon’s thriving culinary scene. Its restaurant, Infame, has become a destination for Lisbon locals and creative types, serving modern Portuguese cuisine inspired by seasonal ingredients from local producers, while the adjoining bar offers inventive cocktails and an impressive selection of Portuguese wines.

Main dishes start at Infame from €15

Rooms at 1908 Lisboa Hotel start from €140 per night

Amarante: For Michelin-Starred Dining

The Lowdown: Hidden between Porto and the Douro Valley, Amarante is one of northern Portugal’s best-kept culinary secrets. Set in the heart of the Vinho Verde region, it’s the destination for travellers seeking exceptional food paired with equally impressive wines.

What to Eat: At the heart of the town sits Casa da Calçada, home to the Michelin-starred Largo do Paço, one of Portugal’s most celebrated fine dining restaurants. Here, beautifully crafted tasting menus showcase the finest seasonal ingredients from northern Portugal, combining traditional flavours with contemporary techniques. At the helm of the Michelin-starred Largo do Paço, 27-year-old chef Francisco Quintas has been recognised by the Michelin Young Chef Guide 2026, celebrating his talent, creativity and rising influence in the culinary world.

Beyond the hotel, visitors can explore local Vinho Verde estates, enjoy leisurely riverside cafés or wander Amarante’s charming historic centre, where independent bakeries, wine shops and artisan producers celebrate the flavours of the region.

Largo do Paco’s exclusive tasting menus start from €150

Rooms at Casa da Calcada start from €230 per night

Alentejo: For Timeless Portuguese Cooking

The Lowdown: If there’s one region that captures the soul of Portuguese cuisine, it’s Alentejo. Here, timeless recipes, exceptional local produce and slow, seasonal cooking come together to create some of the country’s most memorable dishes.

What to Eat: Signature dishes include porco preto, the region’s prized acorn-fed black pork, and açorda alentejana, a rustic bread soup flavoured with garlic, coriander and olive oil.  Visitors can spend their days discovering family-owned wineries, sampling acclaimed Alentejo wines made from local grape varieties such as Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez and Antão Vaz, alongside exceptional olive oils and the region’s traditional cuisine, before exploring picturesque whitewashed villages where long, leisurely lunches remain a way of life.

Where to Stay: Surrounded by nature near Montemor-o-Novo, Sleep & Nature Hotel provides an ideal base for exploring the region’s celebrated food and wine scene. The hotel’s Monte do Vagar Restaurant celebrates the flavours of Alentejo, showcasing regional dishes filled with artisan cheeses, traditional breads, exceptional olive oils and the region’s renowned wines, inspired by the surrounding landscape and the hotel’s philosophy of wellbeing.

Main dishes at Monte do Vagar Restaurant start from €12

Rooms at Sleep & Nature Hotel start from €115 per night

Azores: For the freshest Atlantic Seafood

The Lowdown: Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores are a paradise for seafood lovers. From freshly landed tuna to just-caught fish served overlooking the water, the islands offer some of Portugal’s freshest and most distinctive flavours.

What to Eat: The volcanic landscape also produces the renowned Queijo São Jorge cheese and unique mineral-rich wines grown in volcanic soils, creating a food and wine scene unlike anywhere else in the country. Beyond the coastline, local markets and waterfront restaurants celebrate the islands’ exceptional produce, while Angra do Heroísmo provides a beautiful setting for discovering Terceira’s culinary traditions.

Where to Stay: Overlooking Angra’s marina, The Shipyard Angra, is ideally located for discovering the island’s vibrant food culture. Its restaurant A Oficina champions local seasonal island produce, while the carefully curated wine list introduces guests to the distinctive wines of the Azores such as Verdelho and Arinto dos Açores – alongside favourites from mainland Portugal.

Main dishes at A Oficina start from €12

Rooms at The Shipyard Angra start from €150 per night