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  Until just a few generations ago, shopping for groceries in Lisbon was almost a daily affair. People stopped by the local market, greeted the fishmonger by name, and carried fresh ingredients home for that day’s lunch. There were no freezers stuffed with meal preps for the entire week, nor impulse buys of vegan cheese…

  A pastelaria defies easy classification. It’s not quite a café, although you can sit down with a cup of coffee and linger as long as you like. It’s not exactly a bakery either, though the counter is stacked with typically Portuguese pastries. And calling it a snack bar or lunch joint misses the point…

  If you’re the kind of traveler who prefers tascas over tourist traps, then you should consider Moita as the destination for your next day trip from Lisbon. If you’re in the Portuguese capital, this laid-back town is on the south bank on the Tagus river. Visiting offers an insight into everyday Portugal, complete with…

  Portugal is one of Europe’s biggest rice lovers. We’re not just saying that because we adore rice recipes, whether it’s as a main dish or as a side; we literally are the Europe continent’s largest consumers, eating more rice per capita than most countries on this side of the world. To be more precise,…

  We’ve all been there. One minute you’re clinking glasses of ginjinha in Alfama, or saying “just one more” to that deceptively smooth vinho verde… and the next morning you wake up feeling like the bells of Lisbon’s cathedral are ringing inside your skull. Lisbon has a way of seducing you into a longer night…

  Just about an hour north of Lisbon, Peniche is a popular summer destination and an easy day trip that could easily be extended, to the very least, into a full weekend of fun. This coastal town is known for its beaches and powerful waves so, in recent years, similarly to Nazaré, it has become…

  There’s no shortage of great restaurants in Lisbon. But when you’re celebrating something meaningful, whether it’s a big birthday or a moment that might end with a ring, you want more than just a good meal. You want a setting that feels right for the moment, food that is worth slowing down for, and…

If there’s one ingredient that sums up the contradictions of Portuguese food culture, it’s bacalhau. A dried, salted fish that doesn’t even swim in our waters, but somehow made its way into our national DNA. You’ll see it hanging stiff in markets, soaking in tubs behind restaurant counters, and showing up at Christmas dinners, weddings,…

  Nazaré is a coastal town on Portugal’s Silver Coast, about 120 kilometers north of Lisbon. Known internationally for its massive waves, it has become a reference point in the world of surfing while still remaining very connected with its fishing traditions. The town is divided into two main areas: the lower town, next to…

  Bread, in its many forms, is a universal staple – simple but so essential. It is a foundation of daily nutrition for cultures across the globe and, here in Portugal, it is an element traditionally present at every meal. The origins of bread in Portugal trace back to ancient times. Already during the age…

  Lisbon runs on sugar and espresso. Walk into any pastelaria and you’ll see how seriously the city takes both. Counters are crowded from early morning, staff move fast, and regulars don’t need to say much. The system is loud, efficient, and built on routine. Some of these pastry shops have been open since before…

  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…