Having spent most of December travelling, I thought that would be my travel fix done for a few months. Little did I know my friend decided to treat me to a weekend away in Porto for my birthday! True to form I tried all the local food I could manage and here are the five things that you absolutely need to try on your next visit.
Pastel De Nata
You simply cannot visit Portugal, in general, without trying a pastel de nata and Porto is no different. These little custard pastries are available in a lot of supermarkets in the UK but they taste nothing like the fresh ones available in Porto. Crisp and flaky pastry is filled with a soft but set custard, and you absolutely need to eat them warm from the oven with a cup of coffee.
The absolute best place in Porto to eat pastel de nata is Manteigaria – Fabrica de Pasteis de Nata. Their kitchen is completely open and you can watch each element of these little delights being prepared. From the custard being hand whipped, to the pastry being lovingly layered, they ring a bell outside when the pasteis de nata are fresh from the oven and that is the time that you absolutely need to head in and grab one. Nothing tastes like a fresh pastel de nata!
Port
Most people have heard that Porto is famous for the production of Port, but did you know that it is actually produced in the town over the bridge from Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia? It’s literally next door though and you should absolutely visit at least one port house when in Porto. There are lots to choose from and I particularly loved Cockburns, as it is a brand that I have had in the UK before. Their port house is the largest wooden port cave in Vila Nova de Gaia so it is a real treat to have a tour, listen to how they make their port and then sample the goods.
I also visited Real Companhia Velha and, whilst the methods are pretty much the same in terms of how they make their port, their stories and products are so different. I’ll tell you more in future posts but you absolutely need to try a few different ports when in Porto, including the white port in a Porto Tonic.
Coffee
The Portuguese people LOVE their coffee and the coffee culture in Porto is absolutely electric. You are welcomed with open arms to sit in or outside any of the pretty coffee shops, grab a cuppa and chat with friends or watch the world go by. The coffee is a lot stronger than in the UK and our guide told us that, when he lived in the UK, he brought his coffee over with him as ours just wasn’t strong enough. The Portuguese all drink is short and black, like a double espresso but on acid and I am a total convert.
Francesinha
A delicacy famous in Porto is the francesinha. It sounds strange but what you will be presented with is a sandwich filled with ham, steak, 2 types of sausage and potentially other roasted meats, that is then topped with melted cheese and covered in the famous tomato beer sauce.
You can find these sandwiches in most restaurants but, like with most foodie delicacies, every Porto resident has their favourite and we tried a few to see where was ours. Brasao was my favourite for the fried egg sat on top and the slightly spicy sauce that wasn’t overly hot. You’re served a huge platter of chips that absolutely should be dipped in that sauce and you get a little pot of extra sauce in case you run out.
I’d highly recommend ordering half a francesinha the first time you try one, they are seriously filling!
Eclairs
Perhaps something you didn’t expect to see in my line up is eclairs but these are far too good not to include. Our guide told us that each Portuguese city has a famous pastry and the eclair is the Porto sweet of choice. His favourites are from Leitaria da Quinta do Paco, who have been making dairy products for the people of Porto since 1920. Their chantilly cream is still sold by weight in the shop but you absolutely need to try it in one of their classic eclairs. It manages to be light and not overly sweet, so when piped into a crispy pastry and topped with sweet milk chocolate, it creates the most beautiful eclair I have ever eaten.
A lot of people in Porto start their day with something sweet and a strong coffee, I’d highly recommend you head here.
Have you been to Porto? Would you add anything different to the list?
