Who hasn't heard of peri-peri chicken from Nandos? Ever since Vasco da Gama discovered the sea route to India at the turn of the 16 th century, exotic spices have been regularly used in Portuguese cuisine. Peri-peri, a Brazilian spice transplanted to the former African colonies is used to flavour chicken and shrimp.

Often confused with Spanish cuisine, Portuguese food is quite distinct. Based on regional produce, with special emphasis on fish, meat, olive oil and spices, it features hearty soups, home made bread, sheep's cheese, salty fish dishes, juicy olives and copious amounts of Portuguese wine!

The fish market at Cascais is the largest in the country whilst the Algarve is famous for its almond and fig sweets.