Christmas in Portugal is a warm, family-centred celebration, and food plays a central role in bringing everyone together.
From the North to the islands, each region has its own festive dishes — and an important distinction between Christmas Eve (December 24) and Christmas Day (December 25) meals, dishes that have been passed down through generations..
Here’s a delicious journey through Portugal’s most iconic Christmas meals, from hearty main dishes to irresistible desserts.
North of Portugal
✨ December 24 – Christmas Eve (“Consoada”)
Bacalhau da Consoada
The most traditional dish is boiled salted cod with potatoes, cabbage, carrots, and a generous drizzle of olive oil.
This simple meal reflects the Catholic tradition of eating fish before midnight.
Polvo à Lagareiro (in some areas)
In several northern towns, roasted octopus is just as traditional and may replace cod.
Rabanadas do Norte
The famous northern-style rabanadas — often soaked in wine or port — are essential on Christmas Eve.
🎉 December 25 – Christmas Day
Roast Meats
Christmas Day in the North is much richer, featuring:
Roast lamb (borrego)
Roast goat (cabrito)
Roast veal (vitela assada)
These dishes are slow-cooked and served with potatoes and oven juices.
Toucinho do Céu and Bolo Rei
Desserts on the 25th include almond-based sweets and the traditional Bolo Rei.
Central of Portugal
✨ December 24 – Christmas Eve
Bacalhau Cozido
Like most of the country, the central regions serve boiled cod with vegetables.
Filhós & Sonhos
These fried pastries—thin filhós or pumpkin sonhos—are everywhere on Christmas Eve.
🎉 December 25 – Christmas Day
Cabrito Assado
The star of the 25th is roast kid (cabrito), served with potatoes and a flavorful sauce.
This meal is richer and more festive than the lighter Christmas Eve dinner.
Arroz Doce and Bolo Rei
Rice pudding and fruitcake complete the day.
Lisbon and Surrounding Areas
✨ December 24 – Christmas Eve
Bacalhau com Todos
Lisbon follows tradition with simple, comforting cod with all the vegetables.
Azevias and Broas Castelares
These sweet pastries — filled with chickpea or sweet potato — are especially popular on the 24th.
🎉 December 25 – Christmas Day
Roast Turkey or Roast Lamb
Families in Lisbon often prepare:
Roast turkey
Roast lamb
or Pork dishes for Christmas lunch.
French Toast (Rabanadas)
On the 25th, rabanadas are served alongside Bolo Rei or Bolo Rainha.
Alentejo
✨ December 24 – Christmas Eve
Bacalhau Alentejano
Cod is still traditional on the 24th, but Alentejo flavours shine through in garlic-heavy preparations.
Azevias and Filhós de Forma
The region is known for its variety of fried sweets.
🎉 December 25 – Christmas Day
Carne de Porco à Alentejana or Roasted Pork
The Alentejo is famous for pork dishes, and Christmas Day highlights this:
Marinated pork dishes
Pork with clams
Roast pork with potatoes
Sericaia com Ameixa d’Elvas
A true Alentejano Christmas dessert.
Algarve
✨ December 24 – Christmas Eve
Seafood Dishes
In some coastal families, Christmas Eve includes:
Fish cataplana
Seafood stews
Cod is also common, but seafood plays a bigger role than in the north.
Doce Fino and Dom Rodrigo
Egg-rich, almond-based sweets are a must.
🎉 December 25 – Christmas Day
Roast Turkey or Lamb
Christmas lunch is usually meat-based, similar to Lisbon:
Roast turkey
Roast lamb
Pork roast
Morgado do Algarve
A traditional almond sweet often served on the 25th.
🏝 Madeira
✨ December 24 – Christmas Eve
Carne Vinha d’Alhos
The island’s most iconic Christmas dish — pork marinated for days in wine, garlic, and spices — is fried and served on the 24th.
Bolo de Mel
Though eaten all season, the honey cake is very traditional on the 24th.
🎉 December 25 – Christmas Day
Roast Turkey or Roast Kid
Christmas Day lunch often features meat dishes, especially:
Roast turkey
Roast kid (cabrito)
Queijadas da Madeira
Small, sweet cheese pastries complement the meal.
🏞 Azores
✨ December 24 – Christmas Eve
Fish-Based Dishes
Cod or other fish dishes dominate Christmas Eve, respecting the tradition of avoiding meat before midnight.
Coscorões
Crispy fried pastries are especially popular on the 24th.
🎉 December 25 – Christmas Day
Alcatra da Terceira
A slow-cooked beef stew with wine and spices, deeply comforting and aromatic — perfect for Christmas lunch.
Massa Sovada
A soft sweet bread traditionally eaten on special occasions, including Christmas Day.
Final Thoughts – About Christmas Food
Across Portugal, Christmas Eve is traditionally simpler and focused on fish dishes, reflecting long-standing religious customs.
Christmas Day, however, brings abundance to the table, with rich roast meats and a wide variety of regional desserts.
Exploring these traditions about Christmas food in English is a wonderful way to discover Portugal’s culinary diversity and share its festive spirit with learners around the world.
Which region would be your favorite place to spend Christmas?
What do people do at Christmas?
During Christmas in Portugal, families come together to celebrate traditions that have been passed down for generations. On December 24th, relatives gather for the “Consoada,” a warm and intimate dinner where everyone shares stories, prepares traditional dishes, and enjoys homemade desserts. After dinner, families often attend Midnight Mass, known as the “Missa do Galo,” before returning home to open a few presents.
On December 25th, the celebration continues with a long and festive lunch. This is a day filled with laughter, conversation, and generous portions of regional food. Children play with their new toys, adults relax around the table, and the atmosphere is cozy and joyful. For many Portuguese families, Christmas is not only about food — it is about being together, strengthening bonds, and creating memories that last for years.
What is Christmas like in your country?
