When in Portugal: what is typical Portuguese food and drink?
Oh oh Portugal. So beautiful, so nice, and so much delicious food and drinks. From savory to sweet pastries, and from refreshing to heavy wines, Portugal has a lot to enjoy. And liqueur! With this list we give you tips for your holiday in Portugal, but also a few for at home, if you can't wait. Or if you just like these Portuguese delicacies as one stack want to have in your home.
Here you will find all our Portugal tips from Porto to the Algarve, and everything in between.
Never tasted this popular Portuguese herbal liqueur? The liqueur is sweet and spicy with hints of orange blossom, cinnamon and caramel. How is it made? We are not allowed to tell that, and neither do we nor the rest of the world know, except the makers themselves. A case of Coca Cola: a centuries-old kept secret. Pretty cool!
Liquor Beirão is often drunk in Portugal as an aperitif or digestif, neat or with ice, but is also added to cocktails. So besides being in the cupboard (or on the table) in every Portuguese household, you will also see the liqueur in the hippest bars in Lisbon. But of course in a cocktail. And you can also make it at home. Whoops, on to the Gall & Gall.
Caipirao – Uh that sounds a bit like Caipirinha? With the Caipirão you use Licor Beirão instead of Cachaça (Brazilian rum). How do you make it? Very simple: muddle lime wedges and a teaspoon of sugar in a glass. Add Licor Beirão and fill the glass crushed ice. Stir well and garnish with a slice of lime. Easy peasy lime squeezy.
Beirao Sour – Sour, a refreshing counterpart to the sweet liqueur. Place the Beirão, fresh lemon juice, a dash of sugar syrup and an egg white in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Add a slice of lemon and drink!
Pure – Simply good and powerful. Add a generous handful of ice to your glass (or without ice is also allowed), and serve with the Beirão. It's a classic, that's why it's so good. Tip: add a little fresh lemon juice and a slice of lemon.
Just for sale at Gall & Gall
Monsantos Open Air – Psst, don't tell too many people. This is another undiscovered gem in Lisbon. In the Garden you will find live music concerts, there is also a restaurant and nightclub in Monsanto Park. Here you drink Beirão as a shot or as an aperitivo.
Restaurant Brilhante – looking for a quieter and fancy setting? Then go to Restaurant Brilhante. Here you will find classic dishes such as foie gras and sea bass beurre blanc. A bit of French, Spanish and Portuguese. Delicious, those classics, and Licor Beirão is also on the drinks menu here.
Another Portuguese drink is port. But what is that actually? A Portuguese wine, but to keep it good during the long sea voyage, she added brandy to make it last longer. Smart, and delicious. Now it is no longer drunk at sea, but served as an aperitif, digestif or as a dessert wine around dinner.
Why is it called port? The grapes are not grown in Porto, but because Porto was (and still is) the large port city by the sea, they named it after the city. You will also learn something! So there is no better place to drink Port wine than in Porto.
The Royal Cocktail Club – To stay in the cocktail atmosphere, this is the place to be; this club has won several awards. Here you can try the Caipirão aka Caipirinha with Licor Beirāo. Let's go!
tasco – You can certainly drink Port there, and it's good too. But this place also has (already) damn good cocktails. But the food is ultimately the showstopper. Portugal is known for its fresh fish. So craving tuna sashimi, or a ceviche? Never mind, would like a fish soup with lobster bisque, thank you. Not much of a fish lover? Ribeye or Black Angus are also options. Do you like the port wine? Then have dessert with port syrup.
Have you ever been to Portugal (or more times)? Then you know that you can get these on every street corner. One tastier than the other, but actually always good. In the morning with coffee, for breakfast, at the end of the afternoon to keep the sugar level up, or as a dessert after dinner. Any time of the day is actually perfect.
Do you want to join the real original are, then you have to knock on the door (or queue up earlier) at Pasteis de Belem in Lisbon. Our tip? Just try it everywhere, these delicious sweet pastries often only cost 1 to 2 euros.
At least for a moment taste testing? Via Mister Nata you can order straight to your home. They also have stores on Van Woustraat in De Pijp and on Haarlemmerdijk in Amsterdam.
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