The Flavours of Lisbon

16.05.2026

At the edge of Europe lies the small country of Portugal. In April 2026, I was in Lisbon. 

What’s worth trying in Portugal?

Definitely seafood. My favourite dish is octopus – polvo à lagareiro (roasted octopus). I could eat it all the time, and I did have it several times during my stay in Lisbon this year.

Perhaps you’re used to dishes served in a certain way. In Lisbon, you won’t find that, or it’s only in upmarket restaurants. The dishes I tried were served in a homely style. The most common side dish for fish is potatoes. Sometimes chips and rice – together, on one plate.

I also recommend the fish soups.

Of course, two fish reign supreme here – cod and sardines. The undisputed king is bacalhau (Atlantic cod), prepared in as many ways as there are days in the year – that is, 365, including the popular Bacalhau à Brás (with potatoes and egg). And here’s an interesting fact: did you know that the Portuguese are the world’s biggest consumers of cod, even though they import it from Norway and Iceland…

But back to cod dishes – one of those 365 dishes is pastéis de bacalhau, which literally translates as ‘cod cakes’. Fortunately, they aren’t made as a sweet treat! These croquettes are made from potatoes and salted cod and are deep-fried. I recommend a place where you can try these cod cakes – right next to the Elevador Sta. Justa lift – namely Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau. As well as a delicious snack, you get a spectacular view of the city thrown in! They serve the croquettes here with a glass of white port. I visited this place on the national holiday, 25 April 2026, and received a glass marked with the date of their holiday as a gift. 😊

In second place are sardines. The sardine is considered a symbol of Portuguese culture and tradition and is one of the healthiest and least polluted sea fish. Its flesh is a source of complete protein, Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D and B12, and easily absorbed calcium.

Coffee in Portugal.

You won’t find poor-quality coffee here. In various places around Lisbon – at the counter, in a park or at a table in a restaurant – the price of an espresso ranges from €0.70 to €2. Be sure to order a pastel de nata to go with your coffee. It is a small puff pastry tartlet filled with a custard-like filling, consisting mainly of egg yolks, milk and sugar.