10 Portuguese Foods Every Traveller Should Try (and Wear)
Fabio Goncalves(And yes – we’ve turned some into T-shirts)
Portugal is a feast for the senses – salty Atlantic air, sun-ripened produce, grilled fish on a charcoal fire, and bakeries that smell like heaven. Food here isn’t just nourishment – it’s culture, identity, and celebration.
Whether you’re visiting Lisbon for the first time or returning to your grandma’s village in Alentejo, Portuguese food leaves a mark – and sometimes, a craving you carry home.
At The Atlantic Wave, we’ve even made some of Portugal’s most beloved dishes part of our clothing designs – because wearing your favourite memory is sometimes better than eating it (at least fewer calories).
Here are 10 must-try Portuguese foods – and a few you can wear long after your trip is over.
1. Pastel de Nata
- What is it? A flaky custard tart with caramelised top and buttery layers.
- Try it where: Pastéis de Belém (Lisbon) or any corner café across the country.
- How to wear it: Our pastel de nata tee, printed with a playful vintage-style pastry design. A fan favourite, and a conversation starter.
2. Grilled Sardines (Sardinhas Assadas)
- What is it? Salted, grilled whole sardines served at festivals and by the sea.
- Try it where: During the Festas de Lisboa in June or any seaside town in summer.
- How to wear it: Our sardine-inspired minimal logo tee or our large sardine graphic is perfect for summer vibes and brings a splash of Portuguese colour.
3. Francesinha
- What is it? A Porto-born mega sandwich with steak, sausage, ham, melted cheese and beer sauce.
- Try it where: Café Santiago, Porto.
- Wearable version? Not quite – but our Porto tees pay tribute to the city that made it legendary.
4. Bacalhau à Brás
- What is it? Shredded salted cod with eggs, onion and matchstick fries.
- Try it where: Any tasca in Lisbon or central Portugal.
- Fun fact: There are over 365 ways to cook bacalhau – one for each day of the year.
5. Caldo Verde
- What is it? A comforting green soup made with kale, potatoes, garlic and slices of chouriço.
- Try it where: Northern Portugal – often served at festas or before a meal.
- Wear it? Not directly – but a hoodie for chilly nights by the sea wouldn’t go amiss.
6. Queijo da Serra
- What is it? Creamy sheep’s cheese from the Serra da Estrela mountains.
- Try it where: Regional markets or rustic restaurants inland.
- Pro tip: Let it warm before eating – then spread it like butter. Bliss.
7. Chouriço Assado (Flaming Sausage)
- What is it? A spicy sausage flambéed at your table, often in a clay pig dish.
- Try it where: Rustic taverns – look out for the pig-shaped roaster.
- Wear it? No tee yet – but we’re tempted.
8. Bifana
- What is it? A garlicky pork sandwich, often served in a crusty roll with mustard.
- Try it where: Lunch counters, especially near football stadiums.
- Perfect pairing: A cold Super Bock beer. Saúde!
9. Arroz de Marisco
- What is it? A rich seafood rice with clams, prawns, and sometimes lobster.
- Try it where: Coastal towns or big family Sunday lunches.
- Sustainable vibes: Seafood here is often local and seasonal – great for eco-conscious eaters.
10. Bolinhos de Bacalhau (Salt Cod Fritters)
- What is it? Golden cod croquettes – crispy on the outside, creamy inside.
- Try it where: Lisbon markets or anywhere near a beach bar.
- Best with: A squeeze of lemon and a sunny seat.
Why We Turn Food Into Fashion
For us, food is memory. That flaky tart eaten at a train station. The grilled sardines that almost burned your tongue. The bacalhau that grandma made “just right.”
We design our food-inspired shirts not just for fun – but because they carry stories. Wearing one says, “I’ve been there. I’ve tasted that. And I’ll never forget it.”
Food-Inspired Picks from The Atlantic Wave
🟡 Sweet Like Nata Tee – For pastel lovers.
🐟 Minimal Sardine Logo Tee – A subtle ode to summer.
🐓 Surfing Galo Tank Top – Okay, not food, but still deliciously Portuguese.
🧂 Bacalhau Graphic Tee – Salty, stylised, and proudly local.
Ready to Take a Bite Out of Portugal?
If you’re planning your next trip – or just missing the taste of Portugal – let your outfits do the reminiscing. Whether it’s a sardine on your sleeve or a nata on your chest, these designs bring a little Portugal com sabor into your everyday.