When staying at the best luxury hotels in Lisbon, it’s worth knowing what to order when you’re out. We outline the best Portuguese appetizers below.
Appetizer in Portuguese translates as Aperitivo, so now you know what to ask for next time you are at a Portuguese restaurant! If you want appetizers for free, book a hotel with a club lounge. We have already outlined the best club lounges in Lisbon for you to peruse if you like to be fed throughout the day.
It is worth noting that one of the best Four Seasons hotels in Europe sits in the center of Lisbon, so if you want to splurge, splurge here! Book your next luxury hotel stay via our luxury travel concierge, and we can secure you free loyalty-style benefits (on top of your own status and membership benefits), room upgrades and perks, for no extra cost.
Portuguese cuisine offers a delightful array of appetizers, known as “petiscos,” that are perfect for starting a meal or enjoying with drinks. These are just a few examples of the many delicious appetizers you can find in Portuguese cuisine. Each region of Portugal has its own specialties, so be sure to explore and try a variety of dishes to experience the full range of flavors the country has to offer. Here are some of the most popular Portuguese appetizers:
1. Bacalhau à Brás
This popular, authentic appetizer is based on a traditional Portuguese dish made with salted cod, onions, potatoes, eggs, and olives. It’s flavorful and hearty, often served as a main course but also enjoyed as a starter.
An unusual version of Bacalhau à Brás might incorporate unexpected ingredients or preparation methods while still maintaining the essence of the traditional dish. A Portuguese appetizer recipe with an imaginative twist added to this classic Portuguese appetizer would be Bacalhau à Brás with Sweet Potato and Coconut Milk.
The ingredients required are Salted cod (bacalhau), soaked and shredded, Sweet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced, coconut milk, onions, thinly sliced, garlic, minced, eggs, fresh cilantro, chopped, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
To create this dish at home you would follow the following instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil
- In a skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced sweet potatoes and cook until they are tender and lightly golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside
- In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed and sauté the sliced onions until they are soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant
- Add the shredded salted cod to the skillet and cook until it’s heated through and combined with the onions and garlic
- Pour in the coconut milk, enough to create a creamy sauce that coats the cod mixture. Let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and pour them over the cod mixture in the skillet. Stir gently to incorporate the eggs and cook until they are just set
- Transfer the cod mixture to the prepared baking dish. Arrange the cooked sweet potato slices on top in an overlapping pattern
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are golden and crispy around the edges
- Once out of the oven, sprinkle the chopped fresh cilantro over the top for a burst of fresh flavor
- This unusual version of Bacalhau à Brás combines the rich and creamy texture of coconut milk with the sweetness of sweet potatoes, adding a tropical twist to this beloved Portuguese dish
2. Caldo Verde
For a Portuguese sausage appetizer, look no further than Caldo Verde, a classic Portuguese soup made with kale, potatoes, onions, garlic, and slices of chorizo or linguiça sausage. It’s hearty, comforting, and bursting with flavor.
3. Pasteis de Bacalhau
This famous Portuguese appetizer is made from are codfish cakes made with salted cod, potatoes, onions, and parsley. They are typically deep-fried to crispy perfection and served as a delicious appetizer or snack.
4. Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato
This is a dish of clams cooked with garlic, coriander, olive oil, and white wine. It’s simple yet incredibly flavorful, and the sauce is perfect for dipping crusty bread into.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato com Vinho Verde. This is a twist on the classic Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato. This version incorporates Vinho Verde, a light and slightly effervescent wine from Portugal’s Minho region, into the dish’s broth. The wine adds a refreshing acidity to the clams, enhancing their natural flavors and creating a unique and memorable appetizer.
5. Chouriço Assado
Grilled or roasted chouriço sausage is a popular appetizer in Portugal. The smoky, spicy flavors of the sausage are enhanced by grilling, and it’s often served with bread and olives. If you don’t like sausage, you could substitute the sausage for shrimp, which works equally well and is delicious grilled with lemon and salt, fresh bread and olives.
6. Queijo Assado com Mel
Grilled cheese with honey is a delicious and simple appetizer idea for parties as it’s easy to make and easy to cut up into bite sized pieces. Queijo fresco or another soft cheese is grilled until golden and gooey, then drizzled with honey for a sweet and savory flavor combination.
7. Carne de Porco à Alentejana
This dish combines marinated pork with clams, garlic, and potatoes, creating a flavorful and unique appetizer that showcases the diverse flavors of Portuguese cuisine. Mixing seafood with meat is popular in Portugal. Be aware that many of their dishes contain shellfish fish, so if you have any allergies or dislike eating sea creatures that live in shells, it’s worth researching each menu item in detail.
8. Ovos Mexidos com Farinheira
Ovos Mexidos com Farinheira: This dish consists of scrambled eggs mixed with farinheira, a type of Portuguese sausage made from pork fat, flour, and seasonings such as paprika and garlic. The farinheira gives the eggs a rich and savory flavor, and it’s often served with toasted bread or potatoes.
9. Fígados de Cebolada
Fígados de Cebolada is a dish made with sautéed chicken or pork livers cooked with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and spices. It’s a rich and hearty appetizer that is often served with crusty bread or rice. While liver might not be everyone’s first choice for an appetizer, this dish is a flavorful and satisfying option for adventurous eaters.
10. Caracóis
Caracóis are for the more adventurous eater as they are edible snails, which are a popular delicacy in Portugal, especially during the warmer months. They are typically cooked with garlic, herbs, and spices, resulting in a flavorful and tender appetizer. Eating caracóis is a social and leisurely activity, often enjoyed with friends and accompanied by cold beer or wine.
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