Portugal’s food scene is hearty, comforting and full of flavour, with seafood, slow-cooked dishes and sweet pastries all playing a starring role. If you are visiting Lisbon for , here are five classic dishes worth seeking out between conference sessions and networking events.
1. Pastéis de nata
Portugal’s famous custard tart is an essential Lisbon experience. Best enjoyed warm with cinnamon and icing sugar, these flaky pastries are found all over the city, although many visitors make a pilgrimage to Pastéis de Belém for the most famous version.
2. Bacalhau à Brás
Salt cod is deeply woven into Portuguese cuisine, and Bacalhau à Brás is one of the country’s best-loved dishes. Made with shredded cod, onions, crispy potatoes and egg, it is rich, comforting and appears on menus throughout Lisbon.
3. Grilled sardines
Simple, smoky and unmistakably Portuguese, grilled sardines are a Lisbon staple, particularly in summer. Usually served with potatoes, salad or rustic bread, they are at their best in traditional neighbourhood restaurants or during local street festivals.
4. Prego steak sandwich
A favourite late lunch or post-night-out option, the prego is a garlic-marinated steak sandwich served in crusty bread, often with mustard or piri-piri sauce. It is simple but extremely satisfying after a long day exploring Lisbon.
5. Seafood rice
Known locally as Arroz de Marisco, this rich seafood rice dish sits somewhere between a risotto and a stew. Packed with prawns, clams and shellfish, it is one of the best ways to experience Portugal’s love affair with Atlantic seafood.