You might think of Portugal as a destination for sun and sand, but the local food scene offers a brilliant way to connect with the culture as a family. Planning your trip around regional markets allows you to discover fresh flavours that you won’t find in a standard supermarket. Getting the most out of your visit means choosing a location that suits your family’s pace and timing your journeys to catch the best produce.
Time your visit for the Saturday markets
If you want to experience a Portuguese town at its most authentic, you should plan your trip around the Saturday markets. These bustling hubs offer a mix of sun-ripened fruit and seafood that varies depending on what the local boats caught that morning. Visit the Moorish-style market in Loulé early in the morning to avoid the dense crowds that make navigating with a pushchair difficult. Arriving before the lunch rush also ensures you get the first pick of the local cheeses and cured meats before the stalls begin to empty.
Source fresh ingredients for your villa
When you choose a Portuguese villa, you gain the freedom to cook family meals without the high cost or formal atmosphere of a restaurant. You find the best Atlantic sea bream or octopus at the large fish markets in Olhão and Nazaré. Grill your haul over a charcoal barbecue to recreate a laid-back dining vibe while the kids play safely in the garden. This approach lets you enjoy fresh local ingredients in a setting where you don’t have to worry about the children being too noisy for other diners.
Explore the gourmet food hall concept
You don’t have to secure a table at an exclusive restaurant to sample work from top-tier chefs. At the Mercado da Ribeira in Lisbon, you find a collection of stalls where experts prepare high-end versions of local staples. Look for the bacalhau (salted cod) or the meaty francesinha sandwiches so you can experience authentic Lisbon flavours in a casual setting. This communal space allows your children to pick simple snacks like ham croquettes while you enjoy a more sophisticated meal.
Follow the regional specialities
Different regions in Portugal focus on very specific ingredients and cooking styles that can help you decide where to stay. Northern menus often feature spicy sausages and rich stews, while southern kitchens specialise in pork and clam combinations. Order the “Prato do Dia” (Plate of the Day) to ensure you eat whatever the chef sourced fresh from the market that morning. Choosing this option helps you discover seasonal dishes that offer better value for money than the permanent tourist menu.
Embrace the coffee and pastry ritual
Local life in Portugal revolves around the daily visit to the pastelaria, which serves as a great pit-stop for tired parents. You can pick up a coffee and a pastry for a few Euros, which offers an affordable way to refuel between sightseeing activities. Check the shop windows for “Fabrico Próprio” signs to ensure you buy treats made from fresh dough rather than frozen alternatives. This simple check means you enjoy a much higher quality of snack that even the pickiest toddlers will likely enjoy.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
