We Asked 3 Travel Experts the Best Dish to Try in Portugal-and They All Picked the Same Thing

"The tiny pastel de nata sure does get a lot of love. Before I moved to Lisbon about four years ago, I heard time and time again, "You're going to love the pastel de nata." And you know what? People aren't wrong about the tiny egg tarts. First produced in the 18th century by Catholic monks in the Jeronimos Monastery, these treats should be an absolute staple of any trip to Portugal."

"The Portuguese have perfected the art of catching and cooking fish. You cannot fight me on this. It's essentially science. According to one 2022 study, Portugal is the second-highest consumer of fish in the European Union, with about 134 pounds of "live-weight per capita consumed annually." And that fish usually comes out in the form of a dish known as Bacalhau à Brás."

""If I had to pick just one dish, I'd say bacalhau, especially Bacalhau à Brás, is the most iconic and meaningful to try in Portugal," Ponce shared. "It's more than just food; it tells a story. Portugal has over 365 ways to prepare codfish, but this version with shredded cod, onions, straw fries, eggs, and olives strikes the perfect balance between tradition and comfort.""

Pastel de nata originated in the 18th century when Catholic monks at the Jeronimos Monastery first produced tiny egg tarts and they remain a beloved Portuguese pastry. Fish holds central importance in Portuguese cuisine, with the nation consuming about 134 pounds of fish per capita annually, the second-highest rate in the EU. Grilled sardines are a summertime favorite eaten outdoors. Bacalhau à Brás combines shredded salted cod with eggs, potatoes, onions, parsley, and olives as iconic comfort food with centuries of history. Regional variation yields over 365 traditional cod preparations, reflecting deep culinary diversity.

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