Although bacalhau is considered to be Portugal's national dish, the pastel de nata is its most famous. This pastry is quite simply perfection in two bites. There are other Portuguese cakes and pastries, and other great savoury Portuguese dishes, but nothing comes close to the pastel de nata.
Pão de Ló de Ovar may be the most famous Portuguese cake, dating back to the 18th century when it was made in convents by nuns.
Pastel de nata
It's one of Portugal's most famous cakes and, not only will you find them in just about every pastelaria in Portugal, but you'll also find them in many bakeries around the the world as well.
You will see that most of the Portuguese desserts and pastries are an intense yellow colour, orange even. Such is the concentration of egg yolks in each sweet bite. Plus, every small town and village in Portugal has a local delicacy.
This is the cake you're likely to spot on a side table at the Crawley family's afternoon tea on "Downton Abbey." Madeira cake, named after the fortified Portuguese wine with which it was often paired, was a favorite throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Pastel de Nata (Custard Tart)
The pastel de nata is the most iconic food of Lisbon, a city where time seems to stand still for life's little pleasures — particularly food and sweets.
Pastel de Belém is a traditional Portuguese egg custard tart and a predecessor to the famous pastel de nata. The tarts are made with a pastry shell that's filled with a combination of milk, eggs, sugar, lemon, and cinnamon.
Fios de ovos (literally "egg threads", also known as "angel hair" in English) is a traditional Portuguese sweet food made of eggs (chiefly yolks), drawn into thin strands and boiled in sugar syrup. They are a traditional element in Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine, both in desserts and as side dishes (only in Brazil).
Pastel de Nata are the most famous and delicious Portuguese Dessert. The creamy custard that caramelizes while baking in a light and flakey pastry crust is a must try!
The Portuguese translation for gelato is gelados.
Bacalhau, which translates to cod in English, is Portugal's national dish, a symbol of the country's identity, and one of the most popular foods in restaurants across the country. Bacalhau is such a go-to staple in Portuguese cuisine that it even has an endearing nickname: fiel amigo, or faithful friend.
We're describing pastel de nata, without a doubt, the most popular pastry in Lisbon and all across Portugal. If there is one thing that many visitors look forward to trying when they travel to Portugal, it's the uber popular Portuguese custard tarts.
Port is a sweet, red, fortified wine from Portugal. A Port Wine Glass is smaller than a regular wine glass and the serving size is 3 oz (85 ml) Port wine is most commonly enjoyed as a dessert wine because its richness. There are several styles of Port, including red, white, rosé, and an aged style called Tawny Port.
Queria uma sobremesa. I would like a dessert. Queria um café.
Pasteis de nata, or Portuguese custard tarts, with their signature flaky crust and sweet custard filling are world-famous, and incredibly delicious.
Nearly every Portuguese person grew up eating Maria Cookies (Bolacha Maria)—thin, crisp, sweet biscuits that virtually melt in your mouth. While these tasty delights can be enjoyed on their own, they're also used in dessert recipes as a crumble, cake base, or cake layer.
The most popular sweet is arguably Lisbon's pastel de nata. It's fine to ask for a custard tart. Everyone knows what that means. Sound like a local, however, by asking for a pastel de nata.
If there is one dish that epitomizes Lisbon it has to be the Pastel de Nata Lisbon, the Portuguese egg tart known around the world. I quickly fell in love with these pastries and found myself eating them at least once a day (or more) during our first trip to Portugal years ago.
Portugal may be known for its pastries, but it's also a chocolate lover's paradise.
When in Lisbon, do as the locals do and drink ginjinha. Trying ginjinha in Lisbon is a travel must. Also known as ginja, this is a sweet liqueur made from Morello (sour) cherries soaked in a distilled spirit called aguardente.
There are a few things that complete a trip to Portugal, and ordering from a local pastelaria is one of them. Although the name pastelaria translates to “pastry shop” these shops are so much more, somewhere between a café, a restaurant, and a bakery.
What is Portugal famous for? Wine, for sure; this is where you'll find some of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world. In fact, two of Portugal's wine-growing regions, the Douro Valley and Pico Island in the Azores, are protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Espumante (pronounced 'esh-pu-man-te') is the Portuguese term for sparkling wine and it is produced throughout the country (however surprising that may be!).