Belém Bites: Top 5 Food & Drink You Simply Have to Try

Planning a trip to Belém, Portugal? That means you’re in for a treat, because it’s more than just a pretty place packed with history, and it’s also a goldmine of seriously delicious food and drinks that’ll have your taste buds doing the samba, and you’ve just gotta try these Belém staples.

1. Pastéis de Belém: The Iconic Custard Tart

Pastéis de Belém? Oh man, Actually, going there isn’t just chomping on a pastry, you also kinda step back into the 1800s – so cool!.

Heads up, this place is super famous, so there may be a long line snaking out the door, yet it’s actually very worth the wait, especially if you get a bunch to share, or just keep ’em all for yourself; nobody judges in Belém. Remember this: try these warm straight out of the oven, with that sprinkle of cinnamon, and you are set for one very happy moment, and also try combining with a coffee if that seems okay.

2. Bifana: Portugal’s Tasty Sandwich

Fancy something on the savory side? Give the Bifana a go! Now this one is just one terrific sandwich from Portugal, featuring thin slices of pork that’s marinated till it is loaded with flavor, then cooked in garlic, white wine, and perhaps a bay leaf. They jam this delicious pork into a crusty bread roll (the kind they call a “papo seco”) so itaks all that flavor, soaking up all those amazing garlicky, wine-y juices.

Okay, everyone in Portugal has their favorite spot for this sandwich, but trying it while you are in Belém can take things to another height, as there might be some cool spots in the area offering their own unique twists, plus you are on vacation! It’s a totally different experience depending on where you snag it – some are swimming in garlic, others go heavier on that wine flavor, still, there’s a bit of spice somewhere and it’s a total blast to find your ideal Bifana.

Don’t overthink about it, a Bifana‘s ideal moment occurs while you’re trotting the city streets, exploring the attractions, and craving a quick nibble – there you have it!, get that Bifana between your hands, maybe grab a beverage to clean it all up with (more on that below!), and you are going to feel pretty content as you keep taking over Belém. Just very cool vibes all around.

3. Caldo Verde: Portugal’s Famous Soup

Need some comfy food that sort of warms your soul? You need to have a Caldo Verde moment!, one very traditional soup which most people regard as a must-try across Portugal, more or less a classic made from just a few ingredients yet they create something wonderful; namely, that’s potatoes, collard greens (they shred these greens really fine!), a bit of onion and garlic, plus a chunk of chouriço sausage to spice things up a notch and gives a tasty, smoky richness. Sometimes, simplicity is best!, and Caldo Verde confirms this like no other dish.

As a starter, as a light meal, or heck, if you just happen to feel a little under the weather, so, this soup hits the spot all day, particularly when you discover it served hot, perhaps in an earthenware bowl, at a modest local joint. Many people feel it resembles like a warm hug from a Portuguese grandma; now that you’re exploring the Tower of Belém, imagine finding one old cafe nearby that hands out that great, steamy bowl. Talk about good!

Oh!, you should know, that, very often, you get slices of that chouriço sausage swimming around in your soup, and maybe a drizzle of good olive oil right on top; this not only contributes to the soup flavor but also to its soul warming feels. Do not feel weird about having your Caldo Verde along a chunk of rustic bread to dunk; you may even surprise people about how many variations can exist regarding Portuguese bread. Get your hands, dunk it and taste that greatness!

4. Vinho Verde: Refreshing Green Wine

Let’s speak a little bit about drinks, shall we?, and first up there’s Vinho Verde; and that actually translate to “green wine,” that comes from the Minho region up in northern Portugal; by the way, it does not exactly means that the drink is green, however that refers to its “young” profile; and it tastes fresh, ever-so-slightly fizzy, and it makes it all quite an ideal choice when you’re visiting around Belém in that warm sunlight. Consider it a summery daydream bottled up just for you.

Normally, you have both red and white versions to find, but typically the white Vinho Verde it’s pretty much adored, offering an aroma of green apples, lemons, or some mineral undertones that contributes for an interesting sip; that hint of fizz tickles the tongue making that experience a thing to savor; in essence, picture you’re sitting at a cafe in Belém, people-watching, perhaps feasting on some goodies and the only thing that it needs is this glass of Vinho Verde on your hand!

You’ll get to find Vinho Verde literally everywhere: any bar, any restaurant; but it would be excellent for you to grab a bottle straight from a wine shop and have yourself your picnic by the riverside to feel all those breeze with the wine that has a reasonable price by the way! Just bear in mind it often has lower alcohol amount making you feel happy the entire afternoon!. Salud!.

5. Sumos Naturais: Fresh Fruit Juices

After wondering around and getting delighted in Belém landmarks, a glass of fresh squeezed juice (Sumo Natural in portuguese), makes up something refreshing!. The moment you walk across the town streets, surely, so you’ll encounter a good amount of shops squeezing lots of combinations with many different seasonal and fresh fruits.

A well regarded choice includes orange juice; I’m telling you, but go beyond it because other very tempting combinations with pineapple, mango, or berries that would leave that burst sensation onto your taste buds; and the moment you go around Portugal, you would also have the option of asking some milkshakes made of the same combinations that feel really comforting. Ask away for these combinations without regrets!.

Not only does it fulfill a moment of ultimate refreshing but the vitamins found on the ingredients may carry on all good benefits making the travel smooth so you keep enjoying it;. Look into some ingredients made from local places, because some places put a great amount of spotlight at some providers of natural fruit produce; try them out and see how such ingredients would blow you completely!.