I am spending my semester studying in Salamanca, Spain, so I of course had to make a weekend trip to Lisbon! It has been one of my favorite trips so far, not only for the incredible views and vibrant culture, but also for the delicious and rich Portuguese food. Although I was only there for 5 days, I wanted to try as many typical dishes as I could.
On our first day, After a walk around the port, I stopped to try one of Portugal’s most famed pastries, the pastel de nata. The café we went to sold nothing else but this sweet treat and coffee! With a creamy, custardy inside and a crunchy caramelized outside, I was instantly searching for places in Spain that sold this delicious pastry.
Directly outside of our hostel, Café Nicolau served one of the best brunches I have ever had. Although it wasn’t a typical Portuguese meal, the flavors were incredibly strong, making for an amazing and fulfilling meal. In addition to my pancakes with ham, eggs, crispy onions, and chives, I ordered a delicious salted caramel latte. Anything besides café con leche is not typical to order in Spain, so a more Americanized coffee was such a treat! If I ever get the chance to visit Lisbon again, I will absolutely return to this spot, along with the eccentric hostel above it.
Our first night in Lisbon, we decided to try one of Portugal’s most popular cocktails, the Capirhana. This drink actually originated in Brazil, which has had a visible culinary impact on Lisbon. Tasting almost like a margarita with extra lime, this cocktail was the perfect sweet for my first night in the city.
Nearly everything we had heard about Lisbon detailed that a trip there is not complete without a day trip to Sintra, a smaller town an hour away that is famed for its beautiful and uniquely colorful palaces. It did not disappoint, and we finished our night at a delicious French restaurant in the center of town. I know that dill is an unpopular subject for many, but the salmon and dill tortellini here absolutely wowed me. Despite the small portion, this dish was so creamy and rich that I left very satisfied with my selection. Although not exactly a dinner typical to the region, I still can’t stop thinking about this pasta!
We closed out this amazing trip with dinner on a beautiful rooftop overlooking the entire city and the port. In addition to the beautiful sunset and views, the tapas and atmosphere of this rooftop bar were incredible. Although (as a very biased American) I would not order the nachos again, the mushroom croquetas were a favorite among my friends and I. Studying in Spain, we have tried a generous variety of croquetas, and these were some of our all-time favorites. This beautiful meal was an incredible way to close out our time in Lisbon.
If you ever have the opportunity, I would highly recommend spending time in any of Lisbon’s beautiful and vibrant cities. Their diverse and colorful cuisines were a highlight of this unforgettable trip, and I’m already thinking of when I can come back!