Is Portugal on your travel bucket list, but you’re a bit uneasy due to your shellfish or fish allergies? While it can be stressful planning a fish or shellfish free Portugal trip, especially with so many coastal towns booming with fresh seafood, it is possible to navigate your travels while eating according to your dietary needs. In this blog post, I’m going to help you lessen the overwhelm and feel confident dining out. You’ll find tips for navigating Portuguese cuisine, along with shellfish free Portugal meal ideas, including fish free ideas.
For more information, meal, and restaurant planning tips for traveling to Portugal with food allergies, check out my Portugal food allergy guide as well as my blog posts on traveling to Portugal while eating gluten free, nut free, egg free, dairy free, or soy free.
Navigating Portugal With Shellfish Allergies or Fish Allergies
Similar to those navigating Portugal with egg allergies, fish and shellfish allergies are a bit trickier since they are staples in Portuguese cuisine. With the major cities in Portugal being along the coast, such as Lisbon, Porto, and Algarve, you’ll find a range of seafood options in each restaurant. Cross-contamination risks are higher in these kitchens as well.
However, just because fish and shellfish are common in Portugal doesn’t mean you can’t have a shellfish free Portugal vacation. Having this understanding and knowing that it’ll be something you encounter and have to take extra precaution with will help you set realistic expectations and prepare accordingly.
If you are looking for shellfish free Lisbon and Porto options, these larger cities do have other cuisines, such as Italian, Mexican, Indian, Brazilian, and more. Although these options may not be traditional, sometimes it’s more about the comfort of eating out and enjoying the scenery than eating local food.
While these cuisines may be less likely to pose a risk for those with shellfish or fish allergies, it’s still important to do your restaurant research, understand kitchen protocols and ingredients, and double-check for cross-contamination no matter where you dine.
Always carry your food allergy chef card in Portuguese to communicate to chefs and restaurant staff of your fish or shellfish allergies. An Italian restaurant may still use shellfish with its pasta or offer fish dishes as well, so be aware of that.
It’s also important to know a few key phrases in Portuguese to help communicate your food allergies and watch out for them on menus. A few of these are:
- Shellfish – marisco.
- Fish – peixe.
- I’m allergic to seafood – sou alérgico a mariscos.
If dining out feels overwhelming and you’re not comfortable doing so, staying in an apartment accommodation would be a good option so you can have the flexibility to cook some of your own meals.
Shellfish Free Portugal Meal Ideas
When planning which restaurants to visit and which menu items you can order with your shellfish or fish allergy, keep these meal ideas in mind when navigating Portugal with shellfish allergies.
Breakfast
Many breakfast items will be naturally fish and shellfish free in Portugal, but depending on the type of breakfast served, whether American, British, Portuguese, etc, you may find some fish or shellfish in certain dishes. For example, smoked salmon is a big one at many restaurants for brunch or on hotel buffets.
Be sure to ask your hotel if you can request a la carte items or items from the back to ensure they are free from these ingredients as well as cross-contamination. Always go over food allergy protocols with hotels and restaurants. If you choose to stay in an accommodation with a kitchen, you can always cook your own breakfast before setting out for the day. Fresh fruit and yogurt, scrambled eggs, toast, or pastries are all typically fish free options that you can enjoy with confidence.
Lunch
When visiting Portuguese restaurants at lunch, fish and shellfish will likely be present, so be sure to prepare for that and ask questions about how meals will be prepared separately and what their kitchen and cross-contamination protocols are. Traditional Portuguese sandwiches like Bifanas and Francesinha are good options as long as there is no addition of shellfish or fish ingredients or cross-contamination. Be sure to ask about the addition of fish sauce or oil in marinades or dipping sauces as well.
Dinner
At dinner, opt for fresh grilled meat dishes, such as steak, duck, lamb, and more, as these are staples in Portuguese restaurants. Be cautious of anything fried, as this can be a big cross-contamination risk with shellfish and fish ingredients likely being in the kitchens.
Arroz de Pato is a delicious meat, vegetable, and rice dish that can be a great option. Just be sure to double-check and ask questions about the ingredients and how they prepare it, as some restaurants make a seafood version. Ensure the dish is prepared separately and cross-contamination protocols are in place so you can make a confident decision. Rice and vegetables are staple side dishes along with potatoes, which can all be good options for those eating shellfish free in Portugal.
Dessert
After dinner, you may want to indulge in a sweet treat, and Pastel de Nata is an iconic Portuguese pastry that you can enjoy shellfish and fish free. Just make sure this dessert is made in a separate kitchen or bakery that is free of shellfish or fish and has food allergy protocols in place.
Plan Your Shellfish Free Portugal Vacation
While Portugal is known for its fresh seafood, you can still enjoy your trip and the culinary delights of the country while eating shellfish free in Portugal. With careful planning, trusting your gut and comfort level, doing your research, and communicating thoroughly, you can ensure you have a memorable trip.
If you’re looking for more guidance to plan your shellfish free Portugal trip, book a consultation with me or inquire about my full-service travel planning on my contact page. I’d be honored to help you check Portugal off of your travel bucket list while keeping your food allergy needs top of mind.
