Mouthwatering Portugal?

If you like port wine, splurge a little when you are there. You can taste some mighty wonderful aged stuff for a little extra.

We loved the food there (though as it was 2001 when we were there I can't remember specific restaurants). We got caldo verde with nearly every meal. The olives are fantastic and they usually brought them over to the table when you sat down (often there was a small fee for them which they charge you unless you refuse... we never did). I remember lots of really yummy fish - very flavorful. Great fish stews... my mouth is now watering too.

Portugal, these days, is Tourist Central

Find some nice little Coastal villages orf the beaten track and get some serious Local grub down your gullet...

Please report back.

As I remember, the Algarve coast if chock-a-block with tourists but go to the wonderful West coast with the wild Atlantic...

Forgot to mention Chicken Piri Piri and Chilli clams, forget how it's called....

I live here and have done for over 30 years and dedicate far too much of my time to eating well. Where are you planning on going? There are many regional variations in the cuisine and just as many tourist rip-offs to watch out for. My knowledge is mostly in the Algarve (where I live) and Lisbon where I commute to once a week and probably know even better when it comes to restaurants. I also know Madeira well as my work takes me there once a month.

I agree with #1 about Port, it really is worth spending a bit more and trying some of the better stuff - a 20 or 30 year old tawny or a good vintage for example. But there is a lot more to Portuguese wine than Port and again it is worth spending a bit above average occasionally. White wines such as a good Alvarinho (try Muros de Melgaço - about 16 euros in the shops) are excellent but Portugal is better generally on red wine than white. The Douro region in the north produces the best reds and and down south, the Alentejo is now producing some excellent quality wines, many in the new world style.

My best tip would be to get hold of a copy of the just published "The Wine & Food Lovers Guide to Portugal" by Charled Metcalfe. It is without doubt the best book of its type yet published on Portugal and has in-depth coverage of where and what to eat and drink in all price ranges and covering the whole country. If you can't find find a copy PM me. I am helping the publisher out with distribution here in Portugal and can arrange a copy by mail order if you want.

Ah, I guess a little more information might have been in order when posting a question about an entire country!

Unfortunately Hedonist, we won't be in your neck of the woods on this trip. Had initially been thinking Lisbon/Luso/Porto/Guimaraes/Viana do Castelo as various overnight stays to allow exploring. However, after some back and forth with other posters we're rethinking the plan and want to spend more time inland. Possibly Lisbon, then work up the coast to Porto and Guimaraes, head inland and work our way back south to Evora, then back to Lisbon. (You just got the very limited version obviously.)

We'll be checking out the Ports and various wines, and are actually more fans of reds than whites... but must keep an open mind so will try many! (smiles) We have no troubles walking into any place that attracts our eating interest, and hope to be able to keep out of the "tourist traps". As so many are aware the small, out of the way and "hidden" places can be gems. Lisbon and other suggestion gladly noted!

In Lisbon, be sure to try some Goan food. It's a unique kind of Indian food from Goa in southern India that used to be a Portuguese colony. few people know that the work Vindaloo stems from the Portuguese "vinha de alhos" (wine or vinigar marinade with garlic). Go to Tentações de Goa in downtown Lisbon. Absolutely not a tourist trap, great value for money and amazing food.

Be sure to try the wonderful fresh-baked custard tarts from Belem (next to Lisbon). I enjoyed the Portuguese tradition of stopping each day for espresso and pastry around 4 p.m.

We went to the Port Wine Institute in Lisbon, which has ports available from a wide variety of vintages by the glass.

Excellent cheeses in Evora and elsewhere. You're in for a treat.

If you like to try food different than at home, I've got a few more suggestions:
- probably in whole Portugal - picanha, a meat (steak) dish, originating from Brazil, served with black beans. There are restaurants that specialise in that dish
- Porto - tripe (bbq-ed)
These two places are between Porto and Lisbon:
- Mealhada - a small town famous for leitão (suckling pig). There are 40-50 restaurants in the area, you can choose from
- Miranda do Corvo - chanfana, a goat caserole, long cooked in wine
There is also bacalhao - the portugese dried cod made in different ways. Pasteis (bolinhos) de Bacalhao - fish cakes are quite nice as a snack, or even as a light dish.
Apart from the wines and port, try the portugese brandy, Macieira which is inexpensive and has a nice, smooth taste.