Start your food journey with sampling traditional delicacies at Mercado de Campo de Ourique. Vendors offer a fantastic range of seafood, meat, and sweet treats, sourced straight from local farmers. This is a perfect opportunity to discover what Portuguese cuisine has to offer while mingling with locals.
Sintra is a fairy-tale town stuffed with lavish nineteenth-century palaces, castles and chapels. Make sure to try the "Pastel de Sintra" which is a local specialty packed full with delicious egg and almond flavor. You can find the best Pastel de Sintra in the cafes nearby the National Palace.
Porto is a place that is famous for its wine - Port wine, which is a major product which tastes best when paired with local cheese. Visit any of the wineries in Porto, Douro Valley, and taste some of the most delicious wines in Portugal, accompanied by traditional cheeses such as "Serra da Estrela" or "Queijo da Ilha."
Start your day with a traditional breakfast at "Café Santa Cruz," one of the most iconic coffee shops in Coimbra visited by tourists and locals alike. You can enjoy your breakfast in picturesque surroundings which include spectacular views of the Old City. "Chanfana" is a must-try dish made with goat meat. The best place to try this dish is at the popular restaurant, "Restaurante A Cozinha da Maria."
Aveiro is also known as "The Portuguese Venice" because of its striking scenery that lies along a lagoon-colored waterway. Alongside the famous canals, enjoy a must-have sweet treat - "Ovos Moles." Made with sugar and egg yolks, these unique treats can be found in various cafeterias along the way.
The Algarve is a haven for seafood lovers due to its position as a popular seaside destination. Seaside local restaurants are famous for their Grilled Sardines with boiled potatoes and vegetables. "Restaurante Rui" is a go-to restaurant in Algarve for a classic seafood meal in a stunning seaside location.
To make the most of your foodie adventure in Portugal, add another day in Lisbon to try "Bifanas" (pork sandwiches), "Ginjinha" (sour cherry liquor), and "Pastel de Nata" (egg tart pastries). If you have additional time, go to Nazare (127 km from Coimbra) to try "Caldeirada" - a fish stew. In Algarve, swap Grilled Sardines for "Cataplana" - a dish made of various seafood such as shrimp, clam, and monkfish.