What is in season in Lisbon. and what to order when the market changes.
Spring
- Cherries from Fundao: March through May, the Fundao Beira-Baixa cherries appear in Lisbon markets and are the base for the ginjinha season ahead.
- Spring lamb (borrego pascal): Easter weekend, roast lamb is everywhere, with Alentejano herbed preparations leading the bistros.
- Sweet peas (ervilhas): April peas, often paired with poached egg, smoked sausage and a slice of bread, make the canonical spring tasca lunch.
Summer
- Sardines (sardinhas assadas): June through August, the charcoal-grilled sardines of Santos Populares fuel the whole city, peak 12 to 13 June for Santo Antonio.
- Watermelon (melancia): August melon from Almeirim is the late-summer street snack, sold by the wedge at markets and beach kiosks.
- Tomato (tomate alentejano): July to September, the heritage tomato makes acordas and gazpachos sing across the lighter Lisbon menus.
Autumn
- Roast chestnuts (castanhas assadas): October through December, charcoal castanha carts appear on every Lisbon corner, the canonical Sao Martinho snack on 11 November.
- Wild mushrooms (cogumelos silvestres): September to November, the Alentejano boletus, chanterelle and saffron-milk-cap arrive on Lisbon menus, often with poached egg and toast.
- Pumpkin (abobora): October to December, soups, mostarda and the canonical pasteis de Tentugal feature pumpkin alongside chestnut and the new wine.
Winter
- Bacalhau: Christmas Eve dinner is bacalhau cozido, salt cod simmered with potatoes, eggs and cabbage, the Portuguese family staple of December.
- Bolo Rei: Mid-December through 6 January, the crown-shaped Christmas cake introduced to Portugal at Confeitaria Nacional in 1875 appears in every Lisbon pastelaria.
- Tangerines and oranges from the Algarve: January to March, the Algarvean citrus tastes like a different fruit than the supermarket version, sold by the kilo at every Lisbon market.