In the 16th century, while the Portuguese discovered half of the globe, new ingredients were brought to the Old Continent, transforming common recipes into a stimulating experience to all five senses.
From Asia, sailors brought rice and tea, coffee came from Africa, and from the New World came tomatoes, potatoes and pineapples. Did you know that traditional English tea was introduced to the English royals by the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza?
Eventually, Portuguese influence in the world declined the people adjusted the newfound recipes to the ingredients available, which resulted in a rich variety of dishes from north to south.
In the morning, going to a pastry shop for an espresso and a “Pastel de Nata” is a traditional routine for the Portuguese. Sweet pastries are the Portuguese favourites, which is why you will find such a variety in the local pastry shops.
Breakfast times may vary according to each person’s daily routine, however, it is socially acceptable to have this meal until 10.30 a.m.
Within walking distance from your apartment to rent in Ferragudo, you can get freshly baked bread from “Casa do Panito” and take it home for a traditional Portuguese breakfast. The bakery and pastry shop “Quente Quentinho” offers fresh bread and pastries to take-away, or you can have them on-site.
In Ferragudo, as more and more tourists and expats established themselves in the village, brunch became a part of the Sunday morning routine.
In case you wish to sleep in on the weekend and wake up feeling hungry, “Brunch in Rio”, located 5 minutes away from your vacation rental, will offer you a menu composed of hamburgers, tortillas, avocado on toast with tomato and pesto, bowls of granola with fresh fruit and plenty of egg options.
This is a Portuguese favourite! In Portugal, since lunch is considered a social gathering, it is common to last more than an hour, even during working hours, and is from noon to 2 p.m.
The traditional Portuguese lunch varies between a wide array of options. However, the most common lunch is composed of vegetable soup, a fish or meat dish, and fruit or dessert. An example of this could be a bowl of “Caldo Verde”, fried mackerel accompanied by tomato rice, finishing with a spoon full of chocolate mousse and an espresso.
When a Portuguese person is rushing, going to local low-key restaurants and having the “Dish of the Day”, or a “Bifana”, a pork sandwich, are the most common options. These restaurants are usually frequented by working-class Portuguese people, as prices are lower and the food is ready to serve.
If you would like to dive into the local cuisine, close by to your Ferragudo accommodation, there is the restaurant “Toc Toc” which offers “Dishes of the Day”, prepared with the freshest local ingredients.
Another option is “Quente Quentinho” bakery since at lunchtime they often serve traditional Portuguese food like “Bacalhau à Brás” and “Tiras de Choco Frito”.
Having a slow and tasty meal, while drinking a glass of wine, is something the Portuguese enjoy doing when they are not in a hurry. Therefore, you will probably see family gatherings at local restaurants, especially on Sundays.
In Ferragudo, the restaurant “Sueste” offers you a menu of fresh fish, “Cataplanas” and “Arroz de Marisco”, while you enjoy the view over Portimão and the Arade River. “Rei das Praias” is another option, if you are looking for grilled fish, seafood and want to contemplate the ocean as it bathes Praia dos Caneiros.
Over the summer, local restaurants like “O Barril” and “Maré Viva” have the famous grilled sardines. These are best served at lunchtime since they are caught overnight and arrive at restaurants early in the morning. Since the fishermen have Sundays and Mondays as their days off, if you find a restaurant serving sardines on these days, it is best to avoid them, as they might not be the freshest.
The cheapest lunches are usually where Portuguese workers go. There you get the most authentic Portuguese food. The quality may vary, but why not take a chance on something different from the tourist traps? Here are some in the area:
At this time of the day, usually between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., it is common for the Portuguese to have a grilled ham and cheese toastie, called “Tosta Mista”, or any kind of sweet pastry.
As the times change, more people tend to focus on healthier options and choose fruit or granola bars as a light snack.
The pastry shops and bakeries are usually the places to go if you are looking for a snack before dinner time. The “Wonderland Tea Room” is also an option if you are looking for a place to get a “five o’clock tea”.
As at lunchtime, dinner dishes also vary between fish and meat options. Although for some people a bowl of soup will do, others prefer “petiscos”, a Portuguese version of the Spanish Tapas, or a full meal with plenty of time to finish.
In Ferragudo, you will find many restaurants open at dinner time, most of them within walking distance from your holiday apartment.
The restaurants “V5 Petiscaria” and “Taberna 39” offer you traditional Portuguese petiscos such as “ervilhas com ovos”, “biqueirão”, “caracóis” and “salada de ovas”. For tourists, these are probably some of the weirdest dishes in Portuguese cuisine. However, these are also the more authentic.
Pork, chicken, and beef grilled on charcoal are a big part of traditional Portuguese cuisine. The restaurants “Farragood” and “Velho Novo”, have been serving these specialties for more than 20 years, and offer you the opportunity to enjoy the famous chicken Piri-Piri, a recipe so simple and yet so delicious. Considering the popularity of these restaurants, it is recommended to book a table in advance.
“Sueste” and “Rei das Praias” are also open at dinner time and are usually chosen for dinner when you wish to celebrate a special occasion.
The recently opened “Kool Cocktails” is located on your way to the village center. The entrance is hidden between other shops, but it is the perfect location to grab a seat and enjoy an evening with friends. The menu offers famous cocktails, such as Cosmopolitans and Margaritas, but you can also find beverages based on Portuguese drinks and mocktails.
The bar “Os 3 Macacos”, located inside a refurbished traditional house on Vasco da Gama Street, hides an outdoor terrace in the back. Having an ice-cold beer and playing foosball is something very Portuguese to do, which you can try as well! On the other hand, if you prefer to relax and enjoy the ambiance, order a gin or cocktail and watch local musicians performing cover songs and jazz music. If you can sing, perhaps you could join them!
The gastro bar “Ferragudu’s Terrace”, located two minutes away from your Ferragudo accommodation, is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and have the freshest oysters of the day. The terrace offers a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy an evening cocktail.
If you ask a local about how much you should tip them, as humble as they are, they will probably tell you to forget about that, as they feel embarrassed to ask for extra money.
In case you would like to reward the food and service quality by tipping, give the staff the amount you feel is fair.