When people join our Porto Food Tours, one question comes up again and again: “What exactly are these petiscos I keep seeing on menus?”. And every time, we love diving in to answer. Because these dishes aren’t just small plates – they’re small stories, small pieces of tradition that are an important part of Portuguese gastronomy. So today, let’s pull back the curtain on a few of our favorite petiscos!
Which Petiscos can we try in Portugal?
As a port city, Porto has always been influenced by different cultures, leading to a rich variety of petiscos, traditionally found in tascas. Tascas are small, family-run bars where you often eat Portuguese petiscos at the aluminum-coated counter. With a small glass of wine in hand, you can soak up the atmosphere alongside locals, usually older gentlemen discussing football or the latest dramatic news headlines.
The best part? There are so many delicious options to choose from! The good thing is that they come in small portions, allowing you to order three or four of them without feeling guilty. Let us take you on a tour of some of our favorite petiscos.
Octopus salad
Usually served with minced onion and parsley, mixed with plenty of Portuguese olive oil, this octopus salad is absolutely divine. And tastes as good as it looks! You can season it with salt, pepper, and vinegar according to your taste. Mouth-watering, isn’t it?
Psst… read this other blog post to find out the difference between Portuguese petiscos and Spanish tapas »
Smoked ham, sausages and cheeses
Just like the Spanish, we also love smoked ham, sausages and cheese and you won’t have any trouble finding these boards full of regional deliciousnesses.
Amêijoas – Clams
The most famous recipe is Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato. It is as simple as it is delicious. Clams cooked in a buttery and garlicky flavor are what make this dish into one of the most delicious Portuguese petiscos.
Pica-Pau
Pork, sausages, cheese, and pickles. This requires no further explanation!
Moelas – Chicken Gizzards
In Portugal, almost nothing goes to waste in the kitchen. Moelas is a good example. We managed to take a part of the chicken that would usually go to the trash and created this tasty dish: Portuguese chicken gizzards stew. I know it might look a bit unappealing for some, but trust us, this is one of those classics you can’t skip while in Portugal (not chewy at all!).
Pataniscas – Salt Codfish Cakes
Pataniscas are so simple yet incredibly delicious petiscos. These are especially good if the idea of codfish turns you off. In these lovely little packets, we combine codfish with onions and parsley then bread it up and fry it, what’s not to love? A Portuguese classic at its best.
There are dozens (if not hundreds) of petiscos all around the country. Tradition and culture in Portugal are intrinsically linked to its cuisine. We hope we have provided you with an insight into this wonderful portion of Portuguese cuisine. And we hope that you will take a chance and try some petiscos. Who knows, you might discover a new favorite flavor.
Taste buds craving for more local flavors?
After trying our petiscos, explore and savor lesser-known local traditional dishes and wines on our Downtown & Bolhão Market Food Tour. Guided by a passionate local host, you will experience the Porto that travelers rarely see, taste important elements of our cuisine and learn about the history, architecture and culture while walking the streets of our beloved city. Let us share our love of Porto with you!
Bom apetite!
Taste Porto Foodie Team
