These days, at least two Lisbons seem to coexist all year round. One is the Lisbon that has become part of the international travel imagination, featuring old neighborhoods, hilltop viewpoints, tiled façades, yellow trams, melancholic fado music, flaky custard tarts still warm from the oven, seafood dinners and the idea of a small Atlantic capital…

The kitchen as a field site At Oh! My Cod’s headquarters on Pico, the kitchen was already busy. The space is open, with a counter separating the cooking area from a small dining room, and both sides were in use. Chef Natacha Dias and I were preparing a meal for more than twenty people from…

Landscapes are not only seen. They are walked, cultivated, narrated — and eaten. Anthropologist Arjun Appadurai famously described food as a “highly condensed social fact” (Appadurai, 1981), meaning that food carries within it systems of value, memory, hierarchy, and exchange. Through food, we can read social structures, migration histories, ecological adaptation, and political power. Food…

The introduction of sugar into the Portuguese economy and kitchens, back during the Age of Explorations in the 16th century, revolutionized our confections. But, until that point, our life was plenty sweet thanks to honey. In fact, the same applied to the rest of Europe, where sweetness and fragrance, in desserts or otherwise, was achieved…

Many would have already heard about Madeira because of its namesake wine (vinho da Madeira), or for being the birthplace of ultra popular football player Cristiano Ronaldo. But, as one can easily imagine, the islands have a lot more to offer! This Portuguese archipelago out in the Atlantic, about 1000 kilometers from the mainland, is…

Born in Italy during the 1980s, the Slow Food movement began as an essential resistance against the rapid rise of fast food and the erosion of traditional culinary heritage. It advocates for “good, clean and fair” food, emphasizing sustainability, biodiversity, and ethical production methods that benefit consumers, producers, and the environment. Beyond gastronomy alone, Slow…

Looking at the cuisines from Portugal and Spain through a very general lens, we could say both the countries that make the Iberian Peninsula love olive oil, garlic and pork. But food is never just food. It’s how people relate to the land, to time, to each other. What we eat (and how we eat…

Sintra is often described as mysterious and magical. But beyond the adjectives that fill tourist brochures, there is something more substantial we believe is worth exploring, even if it’s just as a day trip from Lisbon. Just a short train ride from the Portuguese capital, Sintra occupies a special place in the imagination of locals,…

Sardines hold a special place in the heart of Portuguese culture. More than just a delectable fish, sardines embody centuries of history, tradition, stories of resilience, and craftsmanship. From the smoky aroma wafting through Lisbon streets during the revered Saint Anthony’s festivals to their role in sustaining Roman diets, sardines are deeply woven into the…

A little all over the world, food markets are part of the soul of a city’s day to day life. For centuries, here in Portugal, these bustling hubs have been integral to the local culture, serving as the cornerstone of Portuguese culinary traditions. From the days when sellers shouted out loud promoting their products in…

In the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, São Miguel is the biggest island of the Azorean archipelago. Known as the “Green Island” due to its lush, emerald landscapes, São Miguel offers a spectacular blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. This enchanting island lies roughly 1,500 kilometers west of Lisbon, and about 3,900…

For those with a refined palate and a love for the finest wines, Portugal is a wonderful destination. Portugal’s significance in the wine world is profound, shaped by many centuries of dedication to viticulture. The country may be small, but its geographical diversity is immense, from the green landscapes of the Vinho Verde region,…