Photo by Dora Dragoni. Coimbra is a charismatic Portuguese city located about 205 km north of Lisbon in the Centro region of Portugal. The city, considered the country's medieval capital, almost totally reflects the main characteristics of the typical Portuguese cuisine, deeply influenced by the Mediterranean populations that have occupied these areas over the years.
Curious to know which dishes are a must during a trip to Coimbra? Here are 10 not to be missed!
1 - Pastéis de bacalhau
Photo by Dora Dragoni. Cod is a staple of Portuguese cuisine and we couldn't fail to start this list with a dish made with this fish. These are croquettes made with cod itself, cut into slices, which are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, a speciality that can be served as an appetiser or main course.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00 per portion
Main ingredients: cod, potatoes, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, spices
2 - Bacalhau à brás
Photo by Fpenteado. With so much cod available, Portuguese cooks needed a lot of creativity to invent new recipes using this product. This dish features cod cut into slices and enriched with onions and chips, as well as olives and parsley.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €8.00
Main ingredients: cod, potatoes, milk, eggs, onions, garlic, parsley
3 - Francesinha
Photo by Filipe Fortes. A perfect reinterpretation of the simple and classic ham and cheese sandwich, increasing the amount of the latter ingredient by an exaggerated amount, using cured ham and drizzling a delicious meat sauce on top. The dish is very similar to the French croque monsieur, hence the name meaning'little French lady'.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner, snack
Average cost: €7.00
Main ingredients: bread, cured ham, cheese, meat sauce
4 - Cozido à portuguesa
Photo by Uxbona. Meat lovers will lick their chops with this typical Portuguese dish, made with chicken, beef, pork, as well as sausages and black pudding. Depending on the different versions, vegetables such as boiled carrots, beans and cabbage complete the dish.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €12.00
Main ingredients: chicken, beef, pork, sausages and blood sausages, carrots, beans, cabbage
5 - Polvo à Lagareiro
Photo by The Ogre. It's back to fish again, this time it's a roasted octopus speciality, mainly prepared at Christmas or Easter. Served as an appetiser, it is usually eaten cold and accompanied by onions, potatoes, olive oil and parsley.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €7.00
Main ingredients: octopus, potatoes, onions
6 - Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato
Photo by Mariana Aurelio. A dish that does not end when the main ingredient is finished, but continues until the last drop of seasoning is consumed. The clams form the basis of the recipe, which cannot be complete without the tasty sauce made with olive oil, coriander, garlic and white wine.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner, snack
Average cost: €6.00
Main ingredients: clams, olive oil, coriander, garlic, white wine
7 - Hot green
Photo by Mateus Hidalgo. Perhaps the most famous Portuguese dish, caldo verde is a soup made with potatoes, onions, kale and slices of pork sausage(chouriço). During the country's traditional festivities, it is never missing! Depending on preference, it can be served as an appetiser or a main course.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €6.00
Main ingredients: potatoes, kale, pork sausage
8 - Sardinhas assadas
Photo by Duarte Briz. Despite being Lisbon's typical dish, these sardines are spread all over the country. Served in restaurants but also as street food, they are especially popular during the Santo António celebrations in June. They are accompanied by slices of corn bread, with grilled peppers or boiled vegetables.
Recommended: lunch, dinner, snack
Average cost: €6.00
Main ingredients: roasted sardines
9 - Arroz de Pato
Photo by ricardo. Nothing more than a risotto with duck, cooked so that it has a crispy surface and served covered with slices of pork chouriço.
Recommended for: lunch, dinner
Average cost: €10.00
Main ingredients: rice, duck, pork sausage
10 - Arroz Doce
Photo by Moi-même. This is a milk and rice pudding that can also be enriched with dried fruit grains and cinnamon.
Recommended for: always
Average cost: €4.00
Main ingredients: milk, rice, sugar
Where to eat: best restaurants, typical places and street food
Coimbra is a magical city in Portugal, best known for its glorious university. This university has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Regarding the gastronomic tradition of this enchanting area, theprotagonist is definitely meat, in particular beef steaks, stews but also the famous local suckling pig. These are some of the typical dishes on the menus of all the restaurants along the city streets.
Despite its location far from the ocean, several restaurants offer seafood delicacies including cod and sardines.
This city, especially in recent years, has gained great importance in terms of tourism, which is why so many restaurants have been opened to cater for all tastes, with the aim of making known a long and varied tradition passed down from generation to generation among the people of Coimbra.
1 - Restaurante Giro Churrasqueira
Description: small and charming restaurant in the city centre where you can taste the best dishes of the Portuguese culinary tradition, both meat and fish.
Speciality: the Cozido à portuguesa is absolutely recommended
Average price: from €13,00 per person
Address: Rua das Azeiteiras 39 - Get directions - Facebook page
2 - A Cozinha da Maria
Description: small restaurant located in the alleys of Coimbra, the dishes served are representative of Portuguese cuisine, with attention to presentation and fresh, quality ingredients.
Speciality: Polvo à lagareiro
Average price: from €15,00 per person
Address: Rua das Azeiteiras 65 - Get directions - Facebook page
3 - Dux Taberna Urbana
Description: the place is modern and trendy, but at the same time particular with wooden details, it offers excellent beers, various wines and tapas for all tastes.
Speciality: meat and bean rice
Average price: from €20.00 per person
Address: Rua Doutor Manuel Rodrigues, 39 - Get directions - Facebook page
4 - Dona Taska
Description: modern restaurant that offers both indoor and outdoor seating, you can order tapas and snacks with Portuguese and Mediterranean flavours.
Speciality: salgadinhos
Average price: from €15,00 per person
Address: Avenida Joao das Regras - Get directions - Facebook page
5 - Restaurante Vitoria
Description: cozy Portuguese restaurant located on the edge of the old town, offering all the local specialties.
Speciality: goat meat with sauce
Average price: from €14,00 per person
Address: Rua da Sota 9 - Get directions
