Vendas Novas travel guide for food lovers
Vendas Novas offers a good intro to the Alentejo, at just about an hour’s drive from Lisbon. If you plan on doing a road-trip there, we would recommend pairing it with other nearby destinations such as Montemor-o-Novo and Arraiolos , for a beautiful mix of history, natural sites and, of course, great Portuguese regional cuisine.
This small municipality, which belongs to the district of Évora, was once upon a time a strategic rest stop for travelers. Already back in the 16th century, King D. João III decreed that this should be a place for travelers to come to rest and eat – something we still love to do around there until today. As such, the town’s historical roots are deeply intertwined with the nobility and their travels between Lisbon and the Spanish border.
Feat photo by Bifanas & Companhia on TripAdvisor
Photo by Deutsch-Portugiesische Gesellschaft
It was here that D. João V commissioned the construction of a regal palace in 1728, intended as lodging for the royal family during their travels. This palace, known as Palácio das Passagens (Av. da República S/n), was built with remarkable speed to accommodate a significant event in Portuguese history: the exchange of princesses between Portugal and Spain, which saw D. Bárbara of Portugal marry into Spanish royalty and D. Mariana Vitória of Spain became part of the Portuguese royal family. Today, the palace serves as the Regiment of Artillery No. 5, but it still retains its majestic aura, with original frescoes and the historical hunting grounds now used for artillery training.
Besides its rich history, Vendas Novas is a haven for nature lovers and foodies. The town is renowned as the ‘capital of the bifana,’ a claim to fame often rivaled by the northern city of Porto. But, in Porto, if you ask us, you could always focus on Francesinha instead.
These pork sandwiches are famous all over Portugal, but Vendas Novas draws visitors from the entire nation to taste the craft locals claim to have perfected over decades. The bifana here is prepared with tender pork loin, seasoned with garlic, wine and spices, fried in a rich sauce usually made with lard, and finally tucked inside a crusty bread roll, offering a simple but ever so satisfying bite which you can enhance by adding a squeeze of mustard and/or piri-piri sauce to taste.
Photo by Expresso
The town takes its role as bifana ambassador so seriously that, in 2024, it set a rather delicious record: the world’s largest bifana, measuring 15 meters (about 49 feet) in length, made from 32 kg of pork and 50 kg of flour for the bread. The mega-sandwich was served free of charge to an eager crowd during the Festas do Concelho, Vendas Novas’ biggest annual celebration.
Photo by CM Vendas Novas
The event also hosted a playful but fiercely competitive eating contest, challenging locals and visitors to see how many bifanas they could devour in just 10 minutes. Divided into male and female categories, the champions of this flavorful showdown were crowned as the Bifana King and Queen. If that sounds like your kind of fun, consider planning your visit in September, but be warned as the spots for male contestants tend to fill up in record time!
Photo by Público
The surrounding landscapes of Vendas Novas are crisscrossed with trails that invite visitors to explore on foot, quite literally intertwining the natural beauty with the culinary delights. They even have a trail called “the bifana route”, in which you cross villages and urban areas where you can taste bifanas from a variety of vendors, as you keep walking to offset the calories.
Whether you’re stopping by this town to sample a bifana by a roadside eatery, or would like to experience other wonders of Alentejeno cuisine, these are the best restaurants in Vendas Novas:
Where to eat the best bifanas in Vendas Novas
Café Boavista – Casa das Bifanas de Vendas Novas
In Vendas Novas, a humble town with a mighty appetite, Café Boavista is known as the original temple of the bifana. This modest looking roadside eatery is an institution of Portuguese food. Located along the Estrada Nacional 4, Café Boavista has been churning out their now-legendary pork sandwiches for over 30 years, even before bifanas became a national icon and a source of local pride. Behind the counter is Maria Clara Isabel, who inherited the café from her landlords and turned it into what it is today: a go-to place for anyone craving a good bifana. What started with a few braised snails (caracóis) and bean stews (feijoadas) on the menu eventually became a one-hit wonder, in the best possible way. Demand dictated the shift, and the rest is savory history. The recipe? Still a well-kept secret. What we can tell you is that the pork meat is thin and juicy, and the sandwich comes in a crisped carcaça roll that’s gently toasted for that perfect bite. Boavista prepares up to 500 bifanas a day. That’s just one café, in a town where around a dozen eateries dish out an estimated one million bifanas a year.
📍 Rua da Boavista Estrada nacional 4, Vendas Novas 7080-063
Photo by RestaurantGuru
Mercado das Bifanas
Located just off one of the main arteries that connect Lisbon to the Algarve, Mercado das Bifanas is a pit stop that hits all the right notes: it’s fast, filling, and full of flavor. Don’t expect fancy linens or polished service. What you can expect is a juicy, garlicky pork bifana tucked into a crispy bun that for sure is in the Portuguese podium of roadside snacks. Besides taste, this Vendas Novas eatery is also known for its generous portions and low prices. Besides the classic bifana, you can order variations with egg, cheese, or even a side of chips for a full-on comfort food experience. Their home-made chicken pies (empadas – pictured here) are truly wonderful as well. In summer, we’d recommend pairing your choice of sandwich or empada with some house sangria. During the colder months, though, we’d suggest opting for a hearty bowl of sopa da pedra, a traditional Alentejo soup with beans and cured meats. If you are coming to Vendas Novas, or simply driving through on your way elsewhere in the Alentejo or even the Algarve, stop for a juicy meaty bite at Mercado das Bifanas.
📍Rua da Boavista 38, 7080-063 Vendas Novas
www.instagram.com/mercadodasbifanas
Photo by O Mercado das Bifanas on TripAdvisor
Bifanas & Companhia
Here’s another eatery that deserves a spot in the ever-growing lineup of Vendas Novas’ restaurants claiming bifana fame. Bifanas & Companhia does the classic well, but manages to also stand out while playing with the traditional formula. Yes, the traditional version with thinly sliced garlicky pork on a crispy Portuguese roll is excellent, but here you can also get it tucked into a bolo do caco, the soft, chewy Madeiran flatbread that gives this Alentejo favorite new life and appeals to a more contemporary clientele of foodies, always looking to try new things. The restaurant is small but the team here is known for their warm service and welcoming vibe. Beyond bifanas, the menu features other comforting dishes like Portuguese chicken soup (canja) and daily specials (pratos do dia), always served promptly and with a smile.
📍Rua da Boavista 34A, 7080-063 Vendas Novas
www.instagram.com/bifanasecompanhia
Photo by Bifanas & Companhia on Facebook
O Canto das Bifanas
Sometimes, all it takes is one perfect bite to know you’ve found the place, and many say O Canto das Bifanas is exactly that. Tucked in its own cozy corner of Vendas Novas (the name literally means The Corner of Bifanas), this place doesn’t rely on flash or frills. It just does what it does exceptionally well: bifanas that hit the spot. The secret? Paper-thin pork, juicy from a long soak in a garlicky marinade, tucked into crusty slightly toasted bread so crisp it cracks when you bite in. Pair it with a rich, warming sopa da pedra, and you’ve got a match made in Alentejo heaven. To end on a sweet note, we’d recommend choosing one of their traditional Portuguese desserts, such as egg flan (pudim de ovos), of a Berliner (bola de Berlim) with either egg jam (doce de ovos) or Nutella.
📍Rua da Boavista, 7080-063 Vendas Novas
www.instagram.com/ocantodasbifanasvn
Photo by O Canto das Bifanas on Instagram
Império das Bifanas
If your road trip cravings lead you straight from the highway into the heart of bifana territory, Império das Bifanas might be your very first stop. Not only that, this is also a strong contender for one of the best. Open since 2016, this spot may be newer on the Vendas Novas scene, but it’s already won over die-hard fans with its wide variety, efficient service, and a few unexpected extras that make all the difference. The classic Bifana de Vendas Novas is done justice here. But what is for sure surprising are the three vegetarian options, so that all customers feel included. Because bifana pairs ridiculously well with a cold one, Império das Bifanas also has a nice selection of beers. First stop off the highway, maybe. But it might also be the one you keep coming back to.
📍Rua São João de Deus 35, 7080-031 Vendas Novas
www.facebook.com/imperio.das.bifanas
Photo by Wikiloc
Passion Café
The name of this restaurant makes it sound more like a trendy brunch spot, but this is actually one of the most beloved stops for bifanas in Vendas Novas. Located along the main road, this eatery has gained its reputation with locals and travelers, thanks to perfectly seasoned pork sandwiches and a level of service that feels personal from the moment you walk in. What makes Passion Café particularly stand out is its porco preto bifana, prepared with Iberian black pork meat. This version is ever juicier and richer. At Passion Café even plant-based folks haven’t been forgotten as they also serve a vegetarian bifana. If a sandwich and a bowl of soup sounds like your type of meal, consider ordering their filling sopa da pedra or a comforting lavrador soup which, similarly to sopa da pedra, also features a variety of legumes and cured meats. If by the end of it all you still have room for a sweet ending, don’t skip their creamy chocolate mousse for dessert.
📍Rua da Boavista 125, 7080-063 Vendas Novas
www.instagram.com/passioncafe_originais
Photo by Passion Cafe on Facebook
Best portuguese restaurants in Vendas Novas
A Chaminé
A visit to A Chaminé in Vendas Novas is a celebration of traditional Portuguese comfort food, wrapped in a cozy, rustic setting where the air smells of spices, simmering soups, and slow-cooked pork. While most places in town focus solely on bifanas, A Chaminé goes further, establishing itself not just as a local favorite, but also as a reference for those chasing the essence of Alentejo cuisine. What elevates A Chaminé beyond the iconic bifana is the variety. Think eight types of homemade empadas, ten rotating soups (amongst which tomato and caldo verde are the most popular), and even Portuguese staples like bacalhau à Brás and francesinha, all crafted in a family-run kitchen. We suggest finishing your meal with the ethereal farófias, a cloud of dessert that’s impossible to resist.
📍Rua da Boavista 51, 7080-063 Vendas Novas
https://pt-pt.facebook.com/p/A-Chamin%C3%A9-100063589178296
Photo by Vania J on TripAdvisor
Maria Petisqueira
If you travel to Vendas Novas and have no interest whatsoever in bifanas, or have simply already have one at your previous meal, Maria Petisqueira is one of the best restaurants you can head to. This is a wonderful spot to explore the rich culinary world of the Alentejo, from delicious petiscos and grilled meats, to home-made desserts. The mixed grilled meats platters are the most sought after at Maria Petisqueira. They include beef cuts like maminha or picanha, and the local favorite lagartos, which are juicy strips of Iberian black pork (porco preto). You could also consider making a meal by simply ordering a variety of appetizers and small plates to share, including refreshing roe salad (salada de ovas), alheira sausage cooked with matchstick potatoes and eggs, Brás style, (alheira à Brás) and a recipe from across the border, of fried eggs with sausage, broken atop a tower of fries (ovos rotos). Visit Maria Petisqueira to enjoy one of the best non-bifana meals in town.
📍Rua Bartolomeu Dias 23, 7080-215 Vendas Novas
Photo by Maria Petisqueira on Facebook
Taberna Lutas
If you’re after the kind of spot where time slows down, the food comes from the heart, and the menu hasn’t changed in years (and we say that in a positive way), look no further than Taberna Lutas. This is a tasca in the truest sense of the word: a no-frills, family-style eatery where homemade food is served straight from the pot, sometimes quite literally. What’s a tasca? In Portugal, it’s a small, traditional tavern or no-frills restaurant known for honest prices, big flavors, and a kind of culinary nostalgia that never goes out of style. It’s where locals gather for lunch, debate football over wine, and greet the owner by name. And Taberna Lutas delivers all that in Vendas Novas. Expect grilled fish done right, stews that simmer all morning, and plates that feel more like grandma’s Sunday lunch than anything you’d find in a tourist guide. The vibe is cheerful, laid-back, and refreshingly real. The kind of place where you come for the food but leave loving the atmosphere just as much.
📍Rua do Polígono, 7080-116 Vendas Novas
www.facebook.com/p/Taberna-lutas-100063458440025
Photo by Taberna Lutas on Facebook
Canto dos Sabores
Open since 2002, Canto dos Sabores is the kind of restaurant where Vendas Novas’ regulars know to come hungry, and newcomers quickly realize they’ve stumbled upon something special. The menu is extensive and rich with traditional Alentejo recipes, from the crispy pork cracklings (torresmos), marinated pork trotters with coriander (pezinhos de coentrada) and creamy scrambled eggs with asparagus (ovos com espargos), to mains like dogfish soup (sopa de cação), bread and coriander broth poured over Alentejo bread (açorda alentejana), and savory bread pudding with salt cod (migas de bacalhau). For meat lovers, there’s roasted lamb, mutton stew served over rustic bread (ensopado), and several dishes featuring local black pork meat. Don’t leave without dessert: the typical cinnamon soft cake known as sericaia served with preserved Elvas plums, the heavy conventual sweet known as pão de rala, and the cottage cheese cake (tarte de requeijão) are all made in-house and come with the kind of aftertaste that’ll make you want to linger just a little longer and perhaps order a digestive to sip as you think about the wonderful meal you were just lucky to enjoy.
📍Rua Manuel Coelho de Oliveira 7, 7080-187 Vendas Novas
www.facebook.com/canto.dos.sabores
Photo by Gustavo J on TripAdvisor
Restaurante Casa Branca
Hidden in what was once a wine cellar, Restaurante Casa Branca feels less like a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone’s home, if that someone happens to cook like your Alentejo grandmother. With regulars calling the staff by name and steaming pots making their way from the kitchen to the table, this place is as local as it gets. The food is honest, slow-cooked, and very traditional. This is what here in Portugal we call “comida de tacho”, which literally means “food cooked inside a pot” and that stands for comforting stews often associated with a family (or at least familiar) setting. The flavors are stellar, the portions are generous and the prices are more than fair.
📍Rua Florbela Espanca 12, 7080-082 Vendas Novas
www.facebook.com/restaurante.casa.branca
Photo by Cristina on TripAdvisor
O Pastor
Set right along the main avenue of Vendas Novas, O Pastor is a classic Alentejo restaurant. Locals have been dining here for decades, and it’s easy to see why. The menu rotates daily, but quality and abundance are constant. Stand out items include appetizers like fried sausage (linguiça frita) or cured cheese (queijo seco), while mains go more robust featuring options such as migas de espargos and the classic fried pork and clams dish from the Alentejo known in Portuguese as carne de porco à alentejana. Finish strong with a generous helping of sericaia with preserved plums, or a luscious cake made with lard and ground almonds (toucinho do céu). This solid food stop serves Alentejo food like it’s meant to be!
📍Ac Particular 13, 7080-092 Vendas Novas
Photo by Vitor C on TripAdvisor
Where to have coffee and pastries in Vendas Novas
O Migalhas
Whether you’re fueling up for a long drive or just in the mood for a proper Portuguese breakfast, O Migalhas is a reliable spot that does a bit of everything. Best known for its fresh pastries, good coffee, but also main meals during lunch hours, you could come here for either a pastel de nata or a proper bitoque. Popular with locals and travelers, O Migalhas is one of the rare places that’s open even on Sunday afternoons, making it a go-to when everything else is closed. Come early for pastries, fried savory snacks and grilled sandwiches (tostas), or drop in later for a lunch of bacalhau à Brás or a bifana and a bowl of comforting soup.
📍Rua Joaquim Mendonça 19, 7080-092 Vendas Novas
Photo by O Migalhas on Facebook
Pastelaria Princesa
Pastelaria Princesa is your standard Portuguese neighborhood pastelaria, that is, a mix of café and casual eatery for sweets and savouries. Locals come here for their caffeine fix and a typical selection of pastries, but they also make a good bifana. If you’re craving a twist on the classic, try the version with cheese and fried egg, which takes the indulgence to the next level. Their coffee is strong and well extracted, and the pastry counter will certainly invite you to take a pause here after exploring Vendas Novas. The overall vibe is pleasant and relaxed, and this is a good spot for a quick espresso and pastel de nata while, if you’re not shy, mingling with the locals.
📍Av. da República (EN4) 46, 7080-094 Vendas Novas
www.facebook.com/princesavendasnovas
Photo by Pastelaria Princesa
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