This past July, the TasteAtlas platform updated its list of the 50 best pork dishes in the world, and Portugal was very well represented, with four specialties on the list and three of them in the top 10.
Bairrada suckling pig just shy of the podium
The highest-ranked Portuguese specialty is Bairrada suckling pig. It secured 3rd place on the list, with a rating of 4.4 stars—behind only Greek kontosouvli and Mexican gringas. According to TasteAtlas, the best pigs for this dish come from the Bairrada wine region, particularly the Mealhada area, and are raised primarily on acorns. The meat is seasoned with coarse salt, garlic, and pepper, and roasted in an oven fueled by eucalyptus and grapevine wood until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender. Among the restaurants recommended by the platform to try this specialty are Pedro dos Leitões and Nova Casa dos Leitões, both in Mealhada, and Restaurante do Capador.
Alentejo-style pork and roast suckling pig round out the top 10
Right behind it, in 5th place, is Alentejo-style pork, which combines cubes of marinated pork with clams in a slightly spicy wine-based sauce. Despite its name, some argue that the dish originated in the Algarve, even though its name pays homage to the black pigs raised in the Alentejo. In 6th place is oven-roasted suckling pig, a more generic version of this delicacy, typically seasoned with garlic, white pepper, salt, and sometimes a touch of spice.
The bifana also makes the list
Further down the list, in 38th place, is one of the most popular classics found in Portuguese cafés: the bifana. Made with thin slices of seasoned pork cooked over low heat, it is traditionally served in a bun and remains a staple of Portuguese street food, even if it falls short of the podium.
How the TasteAtlas ranking works
TasteAtlas is a digital gastronomic encyclopedia, founded in 2015, that brings together traditional dishes, ingredients, and restaurants from around the world. Its lists are based on the average of ratings left by users of the platform, using an automated system that helps identify and filter out votes deemed unreliable. At the top of the list of pork dishes is Greek kontosouvli, followed by Mexican gringas; the top 10 rounds out with specialties from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and South Korea.
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