Loving the Food in Lisbon

When it comes to eating simple but hearty foods at affordable prices, no other European city beats Lisbon.  Of course, gourmet restaurants with their complicated preparations and presentations also exist in the capital city of Portugal since it is also a cosmopolitan city in its own right.  But if it is truly Lisboan typical fare that your heart yearns for, then we suggest the local restaurants and even the homes of friends with its authentic Lisboan fare. 

Keep in mind that Lisbon is a city of explorers both local and foreign so much so that many of the ingredients in typical foods are native to faraway countries.  For example, wheat, onions, olives, garlic and grapes were brought by the Romans while the Moors introduced almonds, rice, figs, oranges and lemons.  These ingredients are seamlessly blended into the local materials to come up with a truly unique Lisboan cuisine. 

No matter the new ingredients introduced into the local cuisine, two things remain on the menu of Lisboan fare -shellfish and fish in their fresh and dried forms.  In fact, the national dish is the bacalhau, which is dried and salted cod served with just about anything from breakfast till supper.  You will be surprised to know that there are supposedly 365 ways to prepare bacalhau, one for every day of the year. 

Other favorite fishes are horse mackerel and grilled sardines, to name just two.  These fresh fishes are often mixed in one dish to make a stew known as caldeirada.  Keep in mind that Lisbon faces the sea so that its dishes are influenced by the sea. 

You can also enjoy seafood like lobsters, shrimps, crabs and oysters that can be steamed in their own juices with just salt and pepper to taste or cooked in a more elaborate way.  Or better yet, visitors are advised to taste all of these riches from the sea through the seafood rice known as arroz de marisco. 

But if meat is your passion, don't despair as Lisboans are meat lovers, too.  You can savor the nationaldish known as cozido à portuguesa, a thick stew made from a variety of vegetables and of meats although pork is the most favored.  You might even be able to enjy the richness of roast suckling pig as well as chouriço and linguiça (pork sausages).

As for desserts, Lisboan sweet treats are usually milk-based as evidenced by the likes of flan and caramel custard as well as rice-based as is the case with cinnamon-flavored rice pudding.  Or you can take your pick from other sweet treats like barriga de freira (nun's belly), pastel de nata (custard tart), toucinho do céu (bacon from heaven) and papos de anjo (angel's chests).

You will find yourself loving the food in Lisbon and everything that comes with it.  Plus, you will love the fact that your holiday apartment was booked online in advance, which made for easy exploration of the local cuisine in the fully-furnished kitchen (if you are cooking) or the dining room (if you are going take-out).

Find information about the best tourist attractions in the following link: Lisbon attractions.

Lisbon lodging