Portuguese restaurants: menu guide

Açorda: Found in just about every Portuguese restaurant, this well-known dish consists of mashed bread with garlic, coriander, olive oil, water, salt and eggs. It will also be found in Portuguese restaurants as açorda de marisco (with seafood) or as açorda de bacalhau (with cod).

Aguardente: Meaning "burning water", this is a strong alcohol distilled from Portuguese grapes and is a popular after-dinner drink in Portugese restaurants. It gets its name from the burning sensation it causes on the throat. Portuguese restaurants will serve many different types of aguardente, usually ranging from 30 to 50 per cent in volume (or more...).

Bacalhau: Portuguese for cod, the most consumed fish in Portugal. You'll find lots of cod recipes in Portuguese restaurants—it's said there are 365 ways of preparing cod: one for each day of the year!

Chouriço: A type of sausage made from pork meat seasoned with paprika, wine and salt. This is served both as a main dish with salad or rice, or as a snack, in Portuguese restaurants.

Cozido: Portuguese for stew, you'll find many different types of this in Portugese restaurants, containing various meats and vegetables.

Leite crème: Offered as a dessert in Portuguese restaurants, this egg custard pudding is renowned as Portugal's favourite.

Peixe: Portuguese for fish. As a seafaring nation, you'll find a wide variety of fish and ways of preparing it in Portuguese restaurants.

Piri piri: A spicy sauce served in Portuguese restaurants. It's normally spread on chicken and other meats, with the recipe differing slightly between Portuguese restaurants. It can also come in a range of different strengths.

Queijo: Portuguese for cheese. Portugal makes especially fine goat's cheeses and sheep's cheeses and you'll find a wide variety of cheese dishes on the menu of any Portuguese restaurant.

Vinho: Or wine, of which you'll find plenty of options for on a Portuguese restaurant menu. Portugal produces a vast array of wines, so what better way to enjoy a meal at a Portuguese restaurant, than with a delicious glass of vinho?