For ten days at the end of August, the seaside town of Vila do Conde turns into an absolute heaven for food lovers. From August 22 to 31, 2025, the 25th Cozinha à Portuguesa – Feira de Gastronomia changed the Jardins da Avenida Júlio Graça into a lively celebration of Portuguese culture, flavours and tradition.
This year’s edition was special not only for the flavours on offer, but also for the warm tribute to Camilo Castelo Branco, one of Portugal’s great Romantic writers. The fair gave visitors a unique mix of literature and gastronomy, mixing heritage with innovation, and once more showing why it remains one of the nation’s most loved food events.
A Literary Touch: Camilo at the Table
The 2025 fair placed Camilo Castelo Branco at the centre of its theme, marking the bicentenary of his birth. A special restaurant, “À Mesa com Camilo,” recreated meals inspired by the world of the author, drawing on recipes compiled in Elzira Sá Queiroga’s book of the same name. Visitors could savour dishes that mirrored the breakfasts, dinners, and feasts described in Camilo’s novels—an experience that fused storytelling with the sensory pleasure of food.
By seating Camilo’s literature alongside regional cooking, the fair created something more than just a tribute: it reminded visitors that Portuguese gastronomy, like literature, is a living expression of memory and imagination.
Flavours From North to South
As always, the regional restaurants were the real heart of the festival. Five different spaces showed off Portugal’s rich culinary mix: Trás-os-Montes & Alto Douro, known for itsintenseg flavours, mountain sausages and slow-cooked stews; Douro Litoral, packed with fresh fish and sea food; Alentejo, home of the famous Porco Preto (Black Pig ham) with its cured meats and hearty bread dishes; Alto Tâmega & Barroso, where rustic meats and smoky tastes stand out; and Madeira, bringing bold flavours and island-style specialities.
The porco preto of the Alentejo garnered a lot of attention, with its cured ham, sausages, and grilled cuts full of that deep flavour from acorn-fed black pigs. While many compare it to the Spanish pata negra, the Portuguese black pig ham has established its own reputation as one of the country's true culinary gems.
Alongside these restaurants, more than 70 stalls filled the gardens with aromas of fresh bread, cheeses, honey, jams, olive oils, vinegars, pastries, wines, and herbal teas. Petisqueiras and tabernas poured wine by the glass, offering visitors a casual way to taste the essence of Portugal.
Showcooking and Michelin Stars
The fair was not just about tasting—it was also about learning and sharing. Every evening between August 23 and 30, at 7:00 p.m., the stage was lit up with showcooking sessions by Michelin-recognised chefs and rising culinary stars. Figures such as Paulo André, Hugo Rocha, and Hugo de Sousa wowed audiences with modern interpretations of classic Portuguese dishes.
Elisabete Ferreira, the 2024 Best Baker in the World, was one of the main attractions. Her show cooking drew a large audience, eager to watch her turn ordinary flour into something extraordinary. Events such as these demonstrated how Portuguese food continues to change while maintaining its traditions and roots.
A Festival for All
The Feira de Gastronomia is designed to welcome everyone. Entry is free, and the fair’s schedule allows for both leisurely afternoons and lively evenings: Fridays to Sundays from 15:00 to midnight, Monday to Thursday from 17:00 to midnight, and daily lunch service from 12:00 to 14:30.
Families strolled through the shaded gardens, groups of friends gathered at wooden tables with plates of cured ham and glasses of vinho verde, and tourists wandered between stalls discovering flavours for the first time. It wasn’t just an event—it was a community celebration where food, culture, and friendship blended seamlessly.
Conclusion
The Vila do Conde Gastronomy Fair is much more than a place to eat. It’s a real celebration of what it means to be Portuguese, bringing together the regions, the culture, the writers, and the people at one big shared table. With porco preto and cured ham taking centre stage, the fair showcased just how much pride Portugal holds in its rich food traditions. At the same time, the tribute to Camilo Castelo Branco connected the flavours of the past to the stories that continue to shape the nation.
Walking through the fair, you could hear the crackle of grills, catch the scent of smoked sausage in the air, sip wines from different terroirs, and taste slices of black pig ham so rich they seemed to melt on the tongue. It reminded everyone that food is much more than filling the stomach — it carries memories, culture, and feelings all at once. When the lights of Vila do Conde faded each night, the sound of laughter, the ring of glasses, and the taste of lingering flavours remained in the air, showing that Portuguese gastronomy is vibrant, ever-changing, and always ready to embrace the world at its table......LEARN MORE
