Top 15 Must-Try Portuguese Street Food Dishes

One of the most popular options when it comes to street food in Portugal is sandwiches, and one can not go wrong with Bifana - the delicious pork sandwich. Even though the snack differs slightly depending on the region, it is usually made with pork seasoned with garlic and spices, and a bread roll, also known as papo seco adding up to the simplest but the most delicious combo.

Another popular on-the-go snack and a calorie-bomb worth exercising for, Francesinha is also a must-taste sandwich while in Portugal. The traditional delicacy is made with various meats, cheese, and a special beer-based sauce. In addition to that, the hearty sandwich is topped with an egg and served with a side of fries.

Make sure to add Prego to the list of your must-taste Portuguese sandwiches. A popular street food dish, Prego is made with thin slices of beef, cooked with onions and wine, and seasoned with garlic, which gives the sandwich its name. Prego stands for a nail in Portuguese; therefore, the dish was given this name because of garlic cloves that were added like nails to the meat while seasoning.

Next on the list is Alheira, a typical Portuguese sausage made with meats and bread. The dish originally came from the northern part of the country but can now be found in locations all over Portugal with different twists on the original recipe. The horseshoe-shaped sausage is a popular on-the-go meal, making it a must-taste street food dish while touring the country.

Don't miss the chance to taste Pão com chouriço or Chorizo Bread while in Portugal! Made with Portuguese Chouriço pork sausage, seasoned with garlic and paprika, the snack resembles another sandwich that Portuguese street food is famous for. Make sure not to wait for too long after getting your Pão com chouriço; it's best while still warm!

The renowned Piri Piri Chicken is a popular dish all over the world and surely a delicious thing to sample while roaming the streets of Portugal. Also known as Peri Peri Chicken, it is slowly roasted and covered in the authentic Piri Piri sauce made with paprika, garlic, and of course, chili. The finger-licking specialty will undoubtedly leave you wanting for a second plate.

Usually made with seafood, Cataplana is a stew that originated in the picturesque Algarve region. It is cooked in a special Cataplana pan, a piece of cookware similar to clamshells, which closes and seals tightly when cooking. The hearty dish varies in its ingredients and types of seafood used; however, you can be sure that it's going to be delicious if you try it in Portugal.

Standing for the word cod, Bacahlau usually refers to dried and salted codfish - a delicacy found in almost every store in Portugal. The salty specialty is one of the most popular ways of eating the fish; however, Portuguese cuisine is brimming with recipes for codfish, such as Bacalhau Suado à Lisboa, Pataniscas de Bacalhau, and many more!

Another delicacy for seafood lovers, grilled sardines, or sardinhas assadas, is a traditional dish in Portugal popular among locals and visitors likewise. The classic charcoal-grilled sardines are not only a common street food option but a must-have during festivals and open-air events, during which hundreds of sardines are cooked on a huge grill.

The before mentioned codfish is an endless source of recipes for authentic Portuguese dishes; however, when it comes to snacks and street food, Bolinhos de bacalhau is worth emphasizing for sure. The savory codfish cakes are made from a mix of cod, potatoes, onions, parsley, and egg and then deep-fried until they become golden brown. Sounds delicious, doesn't it?

If grilled sardines is not something you enjoy, don't miss the chance to taste another roasted specialty - roasted chestnuts. Known locally as Castanhas assadas, it is a popular street food choice by adults and little ones as well. Soft on the inside, chestnuts make for the perfect on-the-go snack, don't you think so?

Similar to the iconic Churros, Farturas is, without a doubt, the joy of those with a sweet tooth! The Portuguese style doughnut is fried until golden brown and covered in sugar before serving. The mouth-watering delicacy is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, making it the perfect combo for a quick street food dessert.

Originated in Portugal, Malasada is a snack that is now popular in places all over the world, including Hawaii! Malasada is a ball-shaped yeast doughnut, deep-fried before covered in sugar. Unlike the usual doughnut, the original delicacy has no filling or a hole in the middle, yet numerous variations of the specialty can be found.

One of the most popular choices for sweet street food dishes, Bolas de Berlim, is something that will leave you speechless. It is a Portuguese twist on the renowned Berliner doughnut - a soft ball of fried yeast dough, filled with egg-based cream typical to most of the Portuguese desserts. Before handed to you, it is covered in sugar to add even more sweetness to the fluffy delicacy.

Last but not least, the dessert that needs no introduction - Pastel de nata. One of the most popular desserts in Portugal has people standing in lines just to get a taste of the renowned pastry, and for a reason! The authentic crisp tarts are filled with an egg-based custard, typical to a Portuguese dessert, making your mouth water just by looking at it.