Being from a multicultural city like Montréal is, I’ve had plenty of Portuguese chicken and pasteis de nata (I even used to live in “Little Portugal” in 2015). Therefore, I was already a bit familiar with the cuisine.
One of the first meals I ate were these delicious charcoal smoked pork ribs, when I was in Sintra. I was walking towards the village area when I passed by this cute outdoor restaurant and the wonderful smell of meat cooking on charcoal; my mind was set and there were no regrets.
When I was in Lagos, I was told to do the cliff walk above the ocean and rocks and to go all the way to the end and eat a bowl of seafood rice at Antonio’s restaurant. Although not as good as a seafood risotto, it was still a nice and rewarding meal after the hike I’d just done to get there. Bonus points for the cheap glasses of wine.
Since Lagos is by the ocean, I figured grilled calamari would be served at all restaurants; boy was I wrong. I probably went to 10 different restaurants before I finally came upon one that did. Their grilled calamari was delicious, but I can’t say as much for their side dishes. Good thing there was wine and bread.
Once I returned back to Lisbon for a day, I had to eat everything I hadn’t had the chance to yet. I started things off with a chicken bifana, which is a grilled chicken sandwich. Top that with some piri piri sauce and it’s a real delight. For dessert, I had a delicious pasteis de nata, which is a traditional Portguese dessert, consisting of a little custard pastry.
Later on in the day, as a pre-dinner snack, a friend and I shared a grilled chouriço that was served still smoking. So yummy.
UP NEXT: My restaurant review of Le Passé Composé! (MTL)
*All photos are my own (or taken by someone with my device)
