Portuguese cuisine is well known for its flavor and variety. It has been said that the Portuguese know how to appreciate the pleasures of life, which explains why one can eat so well here. The Portuguese cuisine is closely related to the Meditarrean cuisine with a strong influence of the former colonial occupancy, noteable especially in the big range of spices, such as piri piri, black pepper, cinnamon or saffron. You can also choose a really simple way to flavour all dishes using  olive oil  .

Since Portugal is a country of fishermen and because of its location by the sea,  fresh fish  is always available, usually prepared in a simple style, normally grilled or fried, and served with boiled potatoes, vegetables or a simple salad. Although Portugal has a big variety of different species of fish, the most tipical is  bacalhau (codfish) , which is mostly used salted and dried, keepeing the old tradicion of the Pourtuguese cuisine. They say, there are 365 different way to prepare dishes of bacalhau, different recepie for every day. Other kind of fishes are recommended to try, for example  grilled sardines, fried  sole fish  with lemon,  sea bass  fillet,  salmon , or  tuna  prepared in every possible way.

Lisbon and its surrounding areas are the ideal place to try delicious dishes of fish and  seafood . Seafood can be served as a starter or main dish.  Octopus salad  (boiled octopus with olive oil and garlic), fried or boiled  shripms  as a starter (with lemon and salt) or with pasta as a main dish,  crab , boiled or fried  clams  with butter, olive oil and garlic or bolied  snail  are popular in Portugal, as well as  limpets  on the islands of Madeira and Azores.

However fish and seafood are really tipical, meat is also an excellent choice, as are the many cakes and typical desserts. The  pastéis de Belém , for instance, are a must. They are made according to a special recipe originally conceived by a nun from the Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, and have been a delight for over 160 years.

The Lisbon area offers a wide range of dishes and excellent  wines , which go very well with our special gastronomy. Visitors can choose from the best Portuguese wines: either red or white, or vinho verde. They all have different characteristics according to their specific region of origin.  Vinho verde  is originated in the Minho province, the north-west of Portugal. However the name "Vinho verde" means green wine, it may be red, rosé or white.  Vinho do Porto  is maybe the most known Portuguese vine, which is produced in the northern provinces. Basically it is red and sweet wine, served for dessert, but dry, semi-dry and white varieties are also availabe.  Vinho da Madeira  is a regional wine from Madeira, has a sweet taste, similar to sherry.  Ginja  is a tipical liquer is made of sour cherry, can be served as a shot with a little piece of fruit or from a chocolate cup.