Setubal Food Tours

Perhaps, indeed, Setubal is quite favorable to pedestrians. The old town, the waterfront, and many of the best restaurants and food options are all a manageable walk from here. The beautiful gatprenils and active squares are nice for a walk in a calm and friendly atmosphere. The Livramento market which sells fresh-cut seafood, fresh meats, fruits, and all traditional Portuguese products is just a five-minute walk away. When moving through the city, you can always easily walk from one restaurant to another to taste the local dishes.

Some of the key stopping points for food tourism in the Setubal area include the Livramento fish and meat market, which, with more than 50 fishmongers, cheese sellers, and other specialist Portuguese food shops displaying their huge and mouth-watering stocks of fresh and selectively sourced, high-quality fish, cheese and other traditional Portuguese produce, cannot be missed. Also, not less captivating is the possibility of tasting the muscat of Setúbal, the famous sweet wine. Eat grilled fish, and induce the fish stews and soups in traditional restaurants and any fish market, especially the one in Mercado de Setúbal. Other recommended places of interest to visit are some local coffee shops, confectionery, and pastry shops where you may try pastéis de nata and other kinds of Portuguese sweets.

If children are involved, there are plenty of fun things to do in Setubal that can be incorporated into a food tour for the family. The Livramento market is very entertaining for children since they get to see the many types of fresh foods. At some locally available restaurants, there are specific provisions or options on the menu that are prepared with children in mind. There are also children’s cookery courses, so the young generation can have a taste of Portuguese cuisine as well. An option is to have lunch on the beach at Praia de Galápos or a comfortable and hearty dinner in a restaurant suitable for families with kids is also an option. 

Apart from always popular cafés and restaurants, there are several gems of gastronomy in Setubal. Search for eateries that are located on the side streets, which are owned and operated by locals and serve traditional Portuguese meals. Handmade specialty and gourmet stores are frequent in each town, and it is possible to come across various local products that are not indicated in any guidebook. Some of them are even the younger generation of wineries which may not be famous as big winemakers, but very often serve great wines and provide focused wine tastings. Take the word of locals regarding the places that they prefer to try local cuisine and then explore those places on your own.

For a traveler to immerse themselves and get the true tastes that Setubal has to offer though, it is recommended that the traveler spends a minimum of 2 to 3 days there. One day it is enough to cover the major markets, restaurants, and wine-making places. Having one additional day affords one the chance to have a taste of more dishes that are local to the area and also to eat leisurely in different restaurants and some of the best-kept secrets of good restaurants that offer excellent meals. Staying longer means that you will have time to walk around the city without hurry and taste all the tasty in the city without having to almost immediately start a new city, and also spend some time on travel and sightseeing in the surrounding nature.