Guerin® Blog
Gastronomic itinerary in Portugal: a trip through iconic tastes and dishes
More than paradisiacal beaches, good weather and varied landscapes, Portugal is also built on tradition and strong flavors. It is also through the local food that this country tells its story, taking advantage of the heritage left by the Mediterranean people. So, if you are thinking of taking advantage of your holidays to discover the most beautiful villages or its beaches from north to south, take the opportunity to also make a gastronomic itinerary in Portugal.
Gastronomic itinerary in Portugal, from North to South
Each of Portugal's regions (Alentejo, Algarve, Porto and the North Region, Centre Region, and Lisbon Region) has a unique gastronomic identity that reflects the experiences of its population and local traditions.
United, they create a memorable journey of flavors, which promises to delight all those who have already been won over by our country and those who still wish to discover it. Rent your Guerin car, follow our suggestions and get ready for a gastronomic itinerary of Portugal.
Porto and North: Gastronomy and Tradition
The region of Porto and the north makes its gastronomy a welcome passport to our country. A region of customs and traditions still very much present, it does not allow its harsher climate to affect the quality of its products. On the contrary, the soil is rich and has adapted to the climatic conditions, allowing an enormous agricultural variety.
Here the meat is known for its quality and unique breeds that mark this region, with its renowned sausages, cheeses and a wide variety of wine, in a gastronomic itinerary that takes you compulsorily to know the history of the famous Port wine, for example.
Main dishes to try:
- Francesinha
- Braga style codfish
- Posta à Mirandesa
- Alheira (smoked sausage)
- Pudding of Abade de Priscos
- Cozido à Portuguesa
Where to eat:
- Tascö (Porto)
- Casa Dias Restaurant (Vila Nova de Gaia)
- Barca Restaurant (Póvoa de Varzim)
- Bagoeira (Barcelos)
- Taberna do Migaitas (Braga)
- Retiro da Cabreira (Vieira do Minho)
- Taberna Da Misarela (Ferral)
- Casa do Pedro (Boticas)
- Restaurant Míscaro (Redondelo)
- Benito Tavern (Chaves)
- A Adega Restaurant (Mirandela)
- Villar de Masaedo (Macedo de Cavaleiros)
- Solar Bragançano (Bragança)
- O Mirandês (Miranda do Douro)
Guerin stations in Porto and North
- Maia
- Braga
- Bragança
Gastronomy of the Central Region: tastes of the land and sea
The heart of Portugal lives in a diversified landscape that is well represented in the various dishes that arrive at our table.
From the coast to the mountains that make up its interior, we can taste fresh seafood and several different fish dishes, but also delight ourselves with the meats cooked in freedom in the vast mountainous landscapes. Honey, cheeses, sausages, wine and lots of vegetables rise to the table in this gastronomic itinerary representing the center, with pork and goat being the most used.
What to eat:
- Ovos-moles
- Lamprey à Bordalesa
- Bairrada suckling pig
- Serra Cheese
- Fish Soup
- Langoustine
Where to eat:
- Maré Cheia (Aveiro)
- Colmeia (Viseu)
- Vallecula (Belmonte/Guarda)
- Casa das Muralhas (Covilhã)
- Palitão (Castelo Branco)
- Rei dos Leitões (Mealhada)
- Taberna à Cautela (Pombal)
- Tasquinha da Vila (Vila de Rei)
- Vintage Restaurant (Batalha)
Where to find the Guerin stations:
- Aveiro
- Viseu
- Tondela
- Coimbra
- Covilhã
- Leiria
Lisbon and Tagus Valley region
The region where the capital of Portugal is located is a hub that attracts numerous cultures, and this is also reflected in a varied range of restaurants and hotels. The sea and the river are very present in the gastronomy, with diversified dishes based on fresh fish and shellfish, but also on vegetables, fruit or goat and sheep cheeses. The region's vineyards and respective wines were also highlighted. However, it was one sweet that brought it fame all over the world and is a true ambassador of Portugal. We talk about the Pastel de Nata, of course. Discover other delicacies of the region.
What to try:
- Pastel de Nata or Pastel de Belém
- Codfish Pataniscas
- Clams à Bulhão Pato
- Sausages
- Cod Fish Brás Style
- Small Vegetable Garden Fishes
- Half Desfeita
- Eels Stew
- Fried Cuttlefish
- Celestes de Santa Clara
Where to try:
- Decor and Salteado (Setúbal)
- O Formiga (Sesimbra)
- Sentido do Mar (Costa da Caparica)
- Casa do Pescador (Montijo)
- Gaúcha (Lisbon)
- Cod in the Village (Sintra)
- Adraga (Colares)
- João da Vila Velha (Mafra)
- A Grelha (Santarém)
Guerin Stations in Lisbon:
- Santarém
- Cascais
- Cacém
- Barreiro
- Almada
- Setúbal
- Sines
Tradition at the table: Gastronomy in the Alentejo
It was once a region of wheat and great plains, which gave it the name of "Celeiro de Portugal" (Portugal's Barn). Here it was common to see pigs grazing freely in the fields and olive groves. Therefore, bread, pork and olive oil became the main ingredients for several well-known dishes, in a smooth combination with aromatic herbs such as coriander, parsley, rosemary, oregano, pennyroyal or mint.
The Alentejo cuisine is represented by its strong flavored dishes, in an authentic fusion of everything that is best to taste in this region, without ever forgetting the incredible wines of the region.
What to try:
- Gazpacho
- Shark soup
- Purslane soup
- Tomato soup
- Açorda à alentejana
- Alentejo's gazpacho
- Migas of various flavors
Where to eat:
- O Padeiro (Ponte de Sor)
- A Cavalariça (Entradas - Castro Verde)
- O Poço (Brotas)
- A Talha de Azeite (Grândola)
- Restaurant Tordo (Torrão)
- Restaurant O Templo (Évora)
- Restaurant Aloendro (Reguengos de Monsaraz)
- Retiro do Ernesto (Moura)
- Dom Dinis Restaurant (Beja)
- Restaurant Fio d'Azeite (Aljustrel)
- Restaurant Alento (Vila Nova de Milfontes)
Where to find the Guerin stations in the Alentejo:
- Évora
Gastronomy of the Algarve
The Algarve, with its mild Mediterranean climate and healthy gastronomy, attracts thousands of national and foreign tourists every year. The taste of its fish is considered by many to be one of the best in the world and so it is not surprising that this gastronomic itinerary takes in the region's outstanding fish and seafood dishes.
However, the Algarve, with its landscapes painted with orange and almond trees, also makes use of them for some of the best-known sweets, using eggs and nuts, such as almond or fig.
What to Eat:
- Conquilhas à Algarvia
- Oysters
- Cataplana
- Swordfish
- Fried Choquinhos à Algarvia
- Octopus at Santa Luzia Style
- Xerém
- Dom Rodrigo
- Morgado and Morgadinho
Where to eat:
- Várzea (Aljezur)
- O Luar da Foia (Monchique)
- A Tia Bia (Barranco do Velho, Loulé)
- Cais ao Mar (Albufeira)
- Retinto - Rodízio & Wine (Vilamoura)
- Marisqueira Sol e Mar (Quarteira)'.
- À do Pinto (Faro)
- D'Gusta (Tavira)
- Dona Bela (Monte Gordo)
Where to rent a car in Algarve:
- Portimão
The best gastronomic itinerary starts at Guerin
To complete this gastronomic itinerary of the regions of Portugal, from north to south, you can rely on renting a car with Guerin.
Select the Guerin rent-a-car station nearest you, choose the car from our fleet which is most suitable for your trip, from passenger cars to luxury sports cars or 7 or 9-seat vans.
We have been in the car rental market for over 30 years and are part of Grupo Salvador Caetano.
