Spain and Portugal have some of the tastiest cuisines in Europe, and this is perhaps best evidenced in their capital cities, where all those amazing flavors combine. Traveling between these two capitals will take you past a wealth of local delicacies and specialties, as we’ll discuss here.
Most vineyards are in the north of these two countries and there are also some famous dishes and produce down south. So, this won’t be an as-the-crow-flies journey, but if you’re willing to make a few detours as you take the train to Madrid or Lisbon, you’ll encounter some amazing food and drink.
Migas In Extremadura
Extremadura is a Spanish community that sits on the border with Portugal. If you’re taking a train or bus between Madrid and Lisbon, you will pass directly through the community, which includes the city of Cáceres.
You’ll find many standout dishes in this region, but migas is arguably the most famous. Migas is a dish born out of necessity, as it was made by hungry shepherds looking to stretch their food as far as they could. They would take stale bread/tortillas from the previous day, soak it, fry it, and then add ingredients such as spices and eggs. It’s a simple but delicious meal. It’s also incredibly versatile, and while it was invented to ensure that not a single morsel was wasted, it’s now a popular dish in many Iberian restaurants.
Meat Stews And Soups In Alentejo
Alentejo is a region in Portugal that includes the city of Evora, which you’ll pass on your journey between the two capitals. It’s a region that underwent a lot of hardship in the early 20th century, and it responded to this by being resourceful and creating cheap, wholesome dishes.
Alentejo cuisine relies heavily on seasonal produce and uses a lot of high-quality lamb, pork, and bread, keeping things simple. Olive oil and garlic are used liberally, and the most famous dishes in the region include soups and stews, such as ensopado de borrego, a type of lamb stew, and sopa de tomate, which uses a base of tomatoes. If you like hearty dishes made with simple but tasty ingredients, make sure you stop off in this.
Wine In The Douro Valley
The Douro Valley is a little out of the way if you’re taking the train to Madrid or Lisbon, but it’s worth the detour as this is where some of the world’s best port wine is made. It encompasses a wide area that’s split into several regions, including Baixo, Cima, and Douro Superior. The unique topography and climate make for some unique wine varietals, many of which become fortified wines.
Seafood And Pastries In Lisbon
You can’t discuss a gastronomic tour of Portugal without mentioning the iconic pastel de nata, one of the biggest things to come out of Lisbon in recent years. This crispy custard tart has been around for a very long time, but it seems that outsiders are only just waking up to how amazing it is.
You will find these tarts in countless cafes, restaurants, and stores. Everyone adds their own spin, and some are much better than others, but it’s hard to get this wrong, so they’re all good!
Its location on the coast means that Lisbon also produces some fantastic seafood, as well as the bifana, a meat sandwich that is almost as ubiquitous as the pastel de nata. Other foods to try in Lisbon include:
- Sardines: You see will cans of sardines everywhere here, and they have some incredible varieties.
- Caldo verde: A hearty soup enjoyed throughout Portugal.
- Bacalhau: A type of salted cod made into a variety of dishes.
- Prego: A steak sandwich that’s loaded with garlic.
- Cozido: A meaty stew.
Squid Sandwiches In Madrid
Whether you’re spending just a few days in Madrid or staying for a couple of weeks, you have to try the squid sandwiches. It’s an affordable and delicious treat, and you can grab one on the go while you explore all that Madrid has to offer.
Squid sandwiches combine fresh, soft bread with hot and crispy calamari. You can add a generous amount of mayonnaise or any other topping. It’s not classy. It’s not decadent. And it’s probably not what you have in mind when you imagine food tours in Spain. But it’s delicious and unique—that’s all that matters.
Food And Wine In Spain And Portugal
These are just some of the dishes and delicacies that you can sample on your travels between Spain and Portugal. These countries also have great cheeses (Manchego, Tetilla, Serpa), beer (Sagres, San Miguel, Mahou), and sweet treats (churros, crema Catalana), not to mention amazing international restaurants.
So, prepare to loosen a few notches on your belt!
