These Weird Portuguese Dishes Are Not for the Faint of Heart, From Fermented Treats to Unexpected Seafood Pairings

If you love your foods, which, let’s face it, who doesn’t, and you’re planning a vacation to Portugal, you’re in luck because Portuguese cuisine has much to offer. Portugal has everything from fresh seafood and delicious local produce to beautiful wines and tasty sweet treats. However, Portugal hides a world of strange and obscure foods beyond its famous cuisine.

For example, did you know cows’ hooves and eel eyes are popular in Portugal? If not, you’ve come to the right place. In this list, you’ll find 12 weird foods in Portugal. If you want to try something completely different and test your tastebuds, try one of the foods from this list.

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Feeling adventurous? Which of these delicacies would you actually try in Portugal?

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Courato 1/5

Weird Foods in Portugal Omelete de Mioleira

Omelete de Mioleira 2/5

Baba de Camelo 3/5

Caracóis 4/5

Weird Foods in Portugal Mão de Vaca Com Grão

Mão de Vaca Com Grão 5/5

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Courato

1 0

Omelete de Mioleira

0 1

Baba de Camelo

1 0

Caracóis

1 0

Mão de Vaca Com Grão

1 0

Mão de Vaca Com Grão

At first glance, mão de vaca com grão looks incredibly delicious. However, you might find it hard to stomach when you hear what goes into making it. For the most part, this traditional Portuguese dish consists of pleasant ingredients, including sausage and chickpeas, but things quickly take a turn for the worse.

A seemingly unnecessary and weird inclusion in mão de vaca com grão is cows’ legs, specifically cows’ hooves. This dish originated in Angola, Central Africa, where Portuguese explorers adopted it and brought it home. As a main dish, mão de vaca com grão has a rich, salty, earthy, savory flavor and a smooth, gamey texture.

Try Local Tascas for Authentic Cuisine – Skip the touristy spots and visit small, family-run tascas (traditional Portuguese eateries) for the best local flavors, including mão de vaca com grão and other regional specialties.
Use Public Transport in Cities – Portugal’s cities, like Lisbon and Porto, have excellent public transportation systems, including trams, metro, and buses. Avoid renting a car in urban areas, as parking can be tricky and streets are often narrow.

Omelete de Mioleira

Generally speaking, the humble omelet is a safe option for fussy eaters to order when traveling. After all, it typically only contains eggs, cheese, and vegetables. However, in Portugal, fussy eaters should order omelets with caution because omelete de mioleira is one of the world’s weirdest types of omelet.

So, what makes this omelet dish so strange? Well, the simple answer to that question is brains. Yes, you read that right; omelete de mioleira contains brains. This medieval-style dish is usually made of calves’ brains or pigs’ brains, raw eggs, salt, and pepper. Some versions of the dish also contain greens like spinach or kale. Luckily, the brains’ odd taste and creamy texture are less pronounced in an omelet.

Learn a Few Basic Portuguese Phrases – While many Portuguese people speak English, especially in tourist areas, knowing a few words like “Obrigado” (thank you, if you’re male) / Obrigada (if you’re female) and “Por favor” (please) can go a long way in showing respect and making connections with locals.
Try Pastel de Nata at a Local Bakery – This iconic Portuguese custard tart is best enjoyed fresh from a traditional bakery. Pastéis de Belém in Lisbon is famous, but you’ll find delicious ones in pastry shops all over Portugal!

Baba de Camelo

Baba de camelo makes our list not because of how it tastes or what it consists of but because of its weird name instead. Translated to English, baba de camelo means “camel drool,” which, for obvious reasons, doesn’t sound like the most delicious of dishes. However, beyond the strange name, this dish is super tasty.

Baba de Camelo is a traditional caramel dessert with a mousse-like texture. It’s usually made using condensed milk and eggs and topped with crushed almonds, ice cream, or chocolate. This vibrant dessert is likely called baba de camelo because of its camel color and slightly runny texture, which falls off your spoon like drool.

Learn Basic Local Phrases – Even if you’re traveling to a place where English is widely spoken, knowing a few local phrases (like “hello,” “thank you,” and “excuse me”) can go a long way in making connections and showing respect for the culture.
Pack Light & Smart – Choose versatile clothing, bring only the essentials, and always leave some space in your bag for souvenirs. A good rule of thumb: if you’re unsure whether you’ll need an item, you probably don’t!

Caracóis

If you’ve been to France before, you might have tried something similar to this Portuguese delicacy, as they have a slightly different variety called escargot, which is French for snails. In Portugal, the type of snails people eat are called caracóis, and they supposedly go very well with a chilled beer.

So, maybe the next time you go to a bar in Portugal, don’t buy a bag of peanuts; treat yourself to a plate of snails instead. Most chefs in Portugal cook this unusual snack in garlic and oregano to enhance its flavor. They are then served on their own or in a broth. Compared to French snails, caracóis are much smaller. Their taste and texture are like sauteed mushrooms.

Use Offline Maps – Download Google Maps or Maps.me offline before your trip so you can navigate without needing Wi-Fi or data. This is a lifesaver in remote areas or when avoiding roaming charges.
Wake Up Early for Attractions – Popular tourist spots get crowded fast. Arriving early not only helps you avoid long lines but also lets you experience places in a quieter, more peaceful setting.

Courato

Courato is a popular street food dish in Portugal, primarily served outside sports stadiums and at festivals and fairs. So, what is it? Simply put, courato are pieces of pork skin. They are usually eaten as a snack after being seasoned and deep-fried until crispy and golden. They aren’t too dissimilar to pork scratchings and pork crackling.

Often, the courato is marinated in white wine, black pepper, garlic, bay leaves, and red bell pepper before it hits the fryer. When it’s ready, you can eat the courato on its own or shove it in a Portuguese roll. Rumor has it that courato washes down nicely with an ice-cold Portuguese beer.

Carry a Reusable Water Bottle – Staying hydrated is crucial while traveling, and having a reusable bottle saves money and reduces plastic waste. In many places, you can refill it for free at public fountains or hotels.
Have a Backup Payment Method – Don’t rely on just one credit/debit card. Carry some cash in the local currency and a second card in case of emergencies.

Fios de Ovos

The next weird Portuguese food on our list is fios de ovos, an utterly bizarre sweet treat that we can’t quite get our heads around. Fios de ovos, or egg threads, is a traditional Portuguese sweet made of egg yolks. We’re not sure if it’s a genius idea or a crazy one, but the egg yolks taste surprisingly delicious when ready.

To make fios de ovos, egg yolks are turned into thin strands before being boiled in sugar syrup. After being boiled, they look like silly string or angel hair. They have a delicate texture and a lovely flavor. Most people in Portugal stuff their egg threads into cakes and puff pastry.

Take Advantage of Free Walking Tours – Many cities offer free guided walking tours led by locals. It’s a great way to explore hidden gems, learn history, and get insider recommendations.
Avoid Overpacking – Pack light and choose versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched. A heavy suitcase can be a hassle, especially if you’re moving between cities or using public transport.

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Iscas com Elas

If you’re a carnivore who thrives on dishes brimming with meaty goodness and unique animal cuts, iscas com elas is perfect. If you’re not a big meat eater, the thought of eating marinated liver and onions isn’t appealing. However, we still recommend trying this hearty marinated liver dish.

To make iscas com elas, the calf’s liver is cut into thin slices and marinated overnight in beer or wine, garlic, bay leaves, pepper, and citrus. The following day, the liver is fried in a pan with onions before being served on a bed of French fries. Admittedly, the liver doesn’t look tasty but has a slightly sweet and rich earthy flavor. This dish is prevalent in Lisbon.

Try to Explore Beyond Tourist Hotspots – Popular attractions are great, but venturing into lesser-known neighborhoods or towns can give you a more authentic experience and fewer crowds.
Pack a Portable Charger – Your phone dying in the middle of an adventure is the worst! A power bank ensures you always have access to maps, tickets, and emergency contacts.

Enguias

Residents of London, the capital of England, might be used to eating eels in the form of jellied eels, but most people worldwide haven’t had the pleasure, or should we say displeasure. If, for whatever reason, you feel compelled to try eel, make sure you order enguias during your Portugal vacation.

In Portugal, eels are often served with their head and eyes intact. Sounds pretty awful, right? However, this is a local delicacy that many locals across the country enjoy. The fish is usually fried and eaten with a pickled onion sauce, although many people also like to stew it. Regarding taste, enguias is compared to fatty fish like salmon and trout, but with a more robust flavor.

Be Open to Local Delicacies – Some traditional dishes might seem unusual at first, but they’re often beloved by locals for a reason. If you’re adventurous, trying regional specialties like enguias can be a great way to immerse yourself in the culture.
Ask About Preparation Methods – If you’re unsure about a dish, ask how it’s typically cooked. Enguias can be fried or stewed, and knowing the differences can help you choose the version that best suits your taste preferences.

Burras Assadas

When we used Google Translate to look at the meaning of burras assadas, we were shocked to discover it means roasted donkey in English. Luckily, our horror was short-lived when we learned the dish wasn’t donkey. Instead, burras assadas are roasted pork. However, we were shocked again when we saw burras assadas.

While roast pork is perfectly acceptable in most cases, what seems strange to us is eating a pig’s jawbone, which is usually used to make this dish. As such, if you order burras assadas in a Portuguese restaurant, don’t be surprised to receive a plate of French fries with a jaw and teeth on top. Unless you’re a dentist, it’s best to order something else.

Know What You’re Ordering – Some dishes may have misleading names, so it’s always a good idea to check the ingredients or ask the waiter before ordering, especially if you’re not comfortable with unusual cuts of meat.
Be Adventurous but Have a Backup Plan – Trying local specialties can be exciting, but if a dish like burras assadas isn’t to your taste, have a backup option in mind or ask for recommendations on more familiar alternatives.

Dobrada

The penultimate weird food on our list is dobrada, a traditional Northern Portuguese dish that features tripe. For those who don’t know, tripe is the stomach lining of various farm animals, including cows, sheep, and pigs. Despite tripe being an acquired taste, dobrada is also a big hit in Brazil.

A type of stew, this dish is jam-packed with flavorful ingredients and spices. The tripe is flavored with tomato paste, paprika, garlic, clove, and red pepper paste. Carrots, butter beans, and onions are also included in the recipe. Once ready, the stew is most commonly served with rice. In Porto, you’ll see dobrada called tripas à moda do Porto.

Check Regional Variations – The same dish can have different names and preparations in different cities. In Porto, dobrada is called tripas à moda do Porto, so knowing local names can help you find authentic versions of the dish.
Pair with the Right Side Dish – In Portugal, dobrada is often served with rice. If you’re unsure how to enjoy it best, follow local customs and pair it with traditional sides for the full experience.

Choco com Tinta

Despite being surprisingly tasty, choco com tinta is arguably the most unappealing and unappetizing Portuguese food on this list. Translated to English, choco com tinta means “cuttlefish with ink,” which is exactly what this dish is. Across Portugal, cuttlefish can be ordered without ink, but most people order it with it.

After a few bites of this bizarre food, your tongue and teeth will be smothered in dark black ink. Regarding flavor, cuttlefish is a genuinely tasty fish known for its fresh, rich flavors and aromatic flavors of the ocean. Meanwhile, the ink has a neutral taste that doesn’t enhance or detract from the fish’s flavors. Therefore, the ink is more of a gimmick than a flavorful ingredient.

Don’t Be Afraid to Get Messy – When trying choco com tinta, be prepared for black-stained teeth and tongue! If you’re concerned, keep some napkins or water handy to clean up afterward.
Try It Where It’s Freshest – Since cuttlefish is a seafood dish, it’s best enjoyed in coastal towns where the seafood is fresh. Places like Setúbal in Portugal are famous for their choco com tinta.

Maranho

Last but certainly not least is maranho, a traditional Portuguese dish gifted to us by Sertã in the Beira Baixa region of Central Portugal. It’s a goat-based dish with a combination of goat meat, ham, mint, rice, and chouriço stuffed and sewn into a goat stomach. It might sound unappetizing, but it’s surprisingly tasty.

The fusion of aromatic flavors and gamey texture is unique but delicious. However, we can see the rubbery and bumpy texture of the stomach, understandably putting people off. Most people in Portugal serve maranho with potatoes and homemade bread during the festive Christmas period. So, what do you think? Are you willing to give it a try?

Embrace Local Specialties – If you’re visiting the Beira Baixa region, maranho is a must-try dish. Tasting local delicacies is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and history of a place.
Pair It with Traditional Sides – To get the full experience, enjoy maranho with traditional Portuguese sides like roasted potatoes, homemade bread, or a local red wine to complement its rich flavors.