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Easter bookings for Portugal are rising, that means extra guests than ever could have a possibility to find one other aspect to the Iberian nation’s legendary delicacies. After making an attempt some much-loved Portuguese Easter meals final yr, I rapidly discovered that I’d made an enormous mistake not visiting at the moment of yr earlier than!

I want I might embrace a few of my favourite regional Easter specialties in my Lisbon meals excursions or Porto meals excursions, however most of those dishes are solely accessible throughout and after the Lenten interval. Nonetheless, this makes them really feel a bit of extra particular! 

On this article, I’ve damaged down all of the best Portuguese Easter meals and included suggestions for the place to search out them.

The Significance of Easter Meals in Portugal

Easter is taken into account essentially the most sacred time of yr for Catholics. On condition that Portugal has had a predominantly Catholic inhabitants for hundreds of years, it’s no surprise that locals take their Easter celebrations significantly.

Meals, in fact, is entrance and heart all through Lent and Easter, serving each as a non secular image and a method of bringing the group collectively. Whereas conventional Portuguese Easter desserts are usually the preferred seasonal choices, there are many savory alternate options for these with much less of a candy tooth.

Lots of the dishes are very a lot aligned with traditional Portuguese flavors, and since Catholics keep away from meat each Friday throughout Lent, favorites like bacalhau, which is salted codfish, are much more well-liked than typical!

High Conventional Portuguese Easter Meals

Folar da Pascoa

I can’t discuss Portuguese Easter meals with out mentioning folar da Pascoa. This Easter bread is available in candy and savory varieties, however the latter is essentially the most conventional folar da Pascoa. Bea in Porto says:

“The custom of folar is linked to the act of providing bread as a present throughout Easter, particularly between godparents and godchildren. Prior to now, godchildren would go to their godparents on Palm Sunday to obtain a blessing, and in return, they’d be given folar on Easter Sunday.”

It’s sometimes produced from flour, sugar, butter, and eggs and is flavored with anise and cinnamon. Within the heart, you’ll normally discover hard-boiled eggs to characterize the resurrection. The bread differs relying on the place within the nation it’s made, however I like the flippantly candy model from Padeirinha Doce in Porto.

Bacalhau

Bacalhau is arguably Portugal’s most iconic meals. This dried and salted cod is used to create a plethora of flavorful dishes all yr spherical, that are becoming decisions on Fridays throughout Lent when many locals select to keep away from meat.

The Lisbon area is especially well-known for its bacalhau, together with Sintra’s bacalhau espiritual, a casserole produced from cod, béchamel sauce, bread, and carrots. It’s typically solely accessible as a particular, and I snagged some at Bacalhau na Vila.

Pão de Ló

Pão de ló is a much-loved candy Portuguese Easter meals. It’s a comparatively easy sponge cake produced from flour, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and a touch of lemon.

This pleasant dessert is believed to have been first crafted in a monastery within the Oeste e Vale do Tejo area between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries. In the event you occur to make it to Alcobaca, make your technique to Pastelaria Alcôa for some sensational pão de ló!

Amêndoas

Amêndoas, which is the Portuguese phrase for ‘almonds,’ could look like a shocking addition to this record. Nonetheless, at Easter, locals get pleasure from these crunchy nuts with a layer of sugar or chocolate, and their resemblance to eggs means this snack is taken into account a logo of rebirth or new life.

Almond manufacturing has lengthy been related to the Algarve area, and I’ve picked up sugar-covered variations in varied shops like O Cabaz Algarvio in Faro.

Cabrito Assado

Cabrito assado is commonly the culinary spotlight of the Easter Sunday celebrations in Portugal. Translating to ‘roasted goat,’ cabrito assado is without doubt one of the most symbolic Easter meals in Portugal and is believed to replicate the paschal lamb from the Outdated Testomony.As such, some folks swap out the goat meat for lamb.

The goat or lamb is slow-roasted till tender and is seasoned with garlic, paprika, white wine, and bay leaves. This dish hails from northern Portugal, so I counsel making an attempt it in Porto‘s very good A Cozinha do Manel.

Regional Easter Meals Traditions

Portugal has a prolonged record of regional Easter specialties. Though most dishes can be found throughout the nation, some can solely be present in particular areas. Listed here are the highest meals to pattern by area.

Lisbon: Bacalhau

Northern: Cabrito assado

Central: Ovos moles

Alentejo: Ensopado de borrego

Algarve: Amêndoas

Oeste e Vale do Tejo: Pão de ló

Conclusion

Visiting Portugal throughout Semana Santa is an extremely enriching expertise for foodies and tradition buffs alike. With regards to Portuguese Easter meals, you’ll be able to count on all the typical native flavors with some tasty twists! 

Sources

Cash Tourism. (2024, April 5). 16.8% enhance in Easter 2025 bookings – Spain and Portugal within the high positions. https://money-tourism.gr/en/16-8-increase-in-easter-2025-bookings-spain-and-portugal-in-the-top-positions/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Lisbon meals excursions & culinary experiences. https://www.eatingeurope.com/lisbon/

Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Porto meals excursions & culinary experiences. https://www.eatingeurope.com/porto

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Padeirinha Doce, Porto. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g189180-d3958680-Critiques-Padeirinha_Doce-Porto_Porto_District_Northern_Portugal.html

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Bacalhau na Vila, Sintra. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g189164-d12609293-Critiques-Bacalhau_na_Vila-Sintra_Sintra_Municipality_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html

Pastelaria Alcôa. (n.d.). Pastelaria Alcôa. http://www.pastelaria-alcoa.com/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). O Cabaz Algarvio, Faro. https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attraction_Review-g189116-d19932317-Critiques-O_Cabaz_Algarvio-Faro_Faro_District_Algarve.html

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). A Cozinha Do Manel, Porto. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g189180-d3136043-Critiques-A_Cozinha_Do_Manel-Porto_Porto_District_Northern_Portugal.html