Navigating Portugal’s Food Scene With Picky Eaters
A Practical Parent’s Guide to Stress-Free Family Dining
Portugal is a dream destination for food lovers.
But if you’re traveling with children who think anything green is suspicious or refuse to eat foods that touch each other, dining out can feel less like a vacation and more like a negotiation.
The good news is that Portugal is one of the easiest countries in Europe to navigate with picky eaters. With a little planning and the right expectations, family meals can stay relaxed, predictable, and even enjoyable.
This guide is written for families traveling Portugal with kids, especially those exploring Lisbon, Porto, and beyond, and focuses on what actually works when eating out with picky eaters.
Why Portugal Works So Well for Families With Picky Eaters
Portuguese culture is deeply family-oriented, and that shows in restaurants.
Children are genuinely welcome. You won’t get side-eye for bringing kids to dinner at 8:00 pm. In fact, that’s considered early by local standards. Servers are patient, meals are unhurried, and high chairs are commonly available, especially in Lisbon, Porto, and popular family travel areas.
Portuguese food is also surprisingly kid-friendly by default:
Mild seasoning
No heavy sauces unless requested
Simple preparations
Very little spice (piri-piri is optional and always separate)
In other words, much of Portuguese cuisine already aligns with what cautious eaters tolerate best.
Safe, Familiar Foods You’ll Find on Almost Every Menu
Even in traditional Portuguese restaurants, there are reliable options for picky eaters. Look for these items when scanning menus.
Batatas Fritas (French Fries)
Fries are everywhere and usually excellent. They’re hand-cut, crispy, and served hot. Fries paired with grilled chicken can easily become a full meal. Asking for ketchup is perfectly acceptable when ordering for a child.
Arroz Branco (Plain White Rice)
A common side dish across Portugal. Simple, unseasoned, and familiar.
Frango Assado (Grilled or Rotisserie Chicken)
One of Portugal’s most popular everyday foods. Mildly seasoned, juicy, and usually a hit with kids.
Massas (Pasta)
While not traditional Portuguese cuisine, most restaurants that serve travelers offer pasta with tomato sauce, butter, or cheese. Asking for pasta “simples” is common and well understood.
Bitoque (Steak With Egg)
A thin, small steak often served with fries or potatoes. You can easily order it “sem o ovo” (without the egg), which many parents do for kids.
Kids’ Menus Are More Common Than You Expect
In tourist-friendly areas, you’ll often see:
Menu infantil
Menu para crianças
These typically include:
Chicken nuggets
Fish fingers (douradinhos do peixe)
Hamburgers
Fries
They’re usually affordable and sized appropriately, making them a low-stress option on busy sightseeing days.
Timing Meals to Avoid Stress
Portuguese dining hours work to your advantage.
Lunch: 1:00–3:00 pm
Dinner: 8:00–10:00 pm
Arriving earlier, around 7:00–7:30 pm for dinner, means quieter dining rooms, faster service, and more patience from staff. It’s ideal for families, especially if kids are tired after a full day of exploring Lisbon or walking historic neighborhoods.
Simple Portuguese Phrases That Help
You don’t need fluent Portuguese, just a few key phrases:
Sem molho – without sauce
Simples – plain / simple
Para a criança – for the child
Portuguese servers are generally happy to adjust dishes. Plain pasta, grilled meat without seasoning, or vegetables on the side are all reasonable requests.
Pastelarias Are a Parent’s Secret Weapon
Portuguese pastry shops (pastelarias) are perfect for families.
Beyond pastéis de nata, you’ll find:
Plain croissants
Bread rolls
Ham and cheese sandwiches (tosta mista)
Mild pastries like queijadas
Fresh orange juice
They’re ideal for breakfast, snacks, or low-pressure lunches when everyone needs something quick and familiar.
Use Grocery Stores as Backup (Smart Family Travel Tip)
Every parent traveling with picky eaters should build in a grocery stop.
Portuguese supermarkets like Pingo Doce and Continente stock:
Yogurt
Bread
Cheese
Fruit
Crackers and cookies
Keeping snacks on hand makes restaurant meals easier and removes pressure from every dining decision.
Don’t Skip Dessert
Dessert often saves the day.
Pastéis de nata are essentially custard in pastry, very approachable for kids
Chocolate mousse is widely available and consistently good
Gelato shops are plentiful in Lisbon, Porto, and coastal towns
Even reluctant eaters often rally for dessert.
The Bigger Picture: Family Dining Without Pressure
Eating out in Portugal with picky eaters isn’t about turning them into adventurous food lovers overnight. It’s about keeping everyone fed, calm, and able to enjoy the trip.
Order the plain chicken and fries. Let them snack on bread while you enjoy seafood rice. Accept that some meals will be smoother than others.
Portugal’s warmth toward families makes dining out far less stressful than in many destinations. And if your child tries a pastel de nata by the end of the trip, great. If not, you still traveled well.
Meal timing is just one part of keeping family travel stress low. Check out our 7-day Lisbon itinerary for families blog for more tips.
FAQs
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Yes. Portugal is one of the easiest countries in Europe to travel with picky eaters. Many dishes are simply prepared, mildly seasoned, and served without sauces. Restaurants are family-friendly and used to accommodating children.
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Common safe options include grilled chicken (frango assado), plain white rice (arroz branco), grilled fish, French fries (batatas fritas), pasta with tomato sauce or butter, steak without egg (bitoque sem ovo), bread, and simple sandwiches.
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Many casual restaurants and those in tourist areas offer kids menus (menu infantil). These often include chicken nuggets, fish fingers, hamburgers, and fries, usually at reasonable prices.
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Families often find it easiest to eat dinner between 7:00 and 7:30 pm. Restaurants are quieter at this time, service is faster, and staff are generally more attentive to families with children.
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Yes. Portuguese servers are typically happy to accommodate simple requests such as food without sauce (sem molho), plain preparation (simples), or meals specifically for children (para a criança). Don’t overdue it - stick to a couple key requests and enjoy the rest as prepared by the chef.
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Very much so. Pastelarias offer familiar and mild options such as croissants, bread rolls, ham and cheese sandwiches (tosta mista), custard tarts (pastéis de nata), and simple cakes that most kids enjoy.
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No. Portuguese food is not spicy by default. Piri-piri sauce is optional and served separately, so you can easily avoid spice for children.
Plan once. Explore freely. Até já.
