With a labyrinth of cultures represented in every nook and cranny of town, Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in America. To celebrate this world-class melting pot, we’ll be exploring a new region of the globe through a Houston lens each week, from annual festivals and museums to restaurants and cultural experiences. Join the journey with our Around the World in Houston series.
Experience the richness of Portugal by noshing on petiscos (the Portuguese cousin on Spanish tapas), shopping for Portuguese wines, hitting a language meetup and more.
Museums & Cultural Organizations
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – Step inside this Museum District gem to peruse the works of Portuguese artists.
Portuguese Food & Drink
- Oporto Cafe – This Greenway/Upper Kirby food and wine café is the perfect place for date night, with a menu made for sharing. Linger over petiscos—small, Portuguese-inspired plates like queijo de gabra (goat cheese) baked and served with garlic tosta, croquetas de bacalhau (crispy salt cod fritters), camarões piri-piri (shrimp in Madeira wine and chili oil), and bife à portuguesa (beef cutlet with spicy potatoes, garlic and bay leaves). Finish with bolo de bolacha, a Portuguese-style tiramisu with port-laced cream.
- Oporto Fooding House & Wine – A younger sibling to Oporto Café, Oporto Fooding House & Wine sits on the cusp of Midtown and Montrose off West Gray. Hit the chic spot to indulge in things like wood-grilled sardines, pressed Portuguese octopus salame, smoked linguiça sausage, piri piri chicken, and paelha (Portuguese paella with saffron, hangar steak, shrimp, bacalhau, clams, mussels, and charred chile). On weekends, brunch traditions include pastel de nata (lemon custard in pastry), malasadas rechadas (Portuguese brioche doughnuts), Portuguese-style migas, and salted cod hash. Don’t forget to visit the library of Portuguese wines, ports, and coffees.
- Ibiza Food & Wine Bar – This Mediterranean hotspot draws a crowd thanks to its wall of wine and vibrant plates. Get a taste of Portugal with 22-month-aged Jamón ibérico, la plancha-style Portuguese octopus with green zhug and chorizo, and fresh grilled fish.
- Houston Wine Merchant – Shop for Portuguese wines at this vino boutique, from Caves Sao Joao Arinto to Barros – Colheita Vintage Port.
- Phoenicia Specialty Foods – Hit the Downtown or Westside location of this massive international market to shop for ingredients commonly found in Portuguese cuisine—cod croquettes, octopus, Portuguese wines, and spices like saffron, cinnamon, and vanilla.
Language Classes, Education Centers, Groups & Meet-Ups
- Portuguese Courses at European School of Languages – Take a Portuguese class designed for all adults and education professionals who either want to start learning Portuguese for the first time or who want to maintain or improve their level of comprehension and pronunciation.
- Portuguese Language Program at Rice University – These Portuguese courses are designed to provide students with basic language patterns and practical vocabulary, with levels from beginner to advanced.
- Portuguese and Brazilian Language Meetup – This Portuguese-language meetup offers speakers the chance to make friends and network.
Other Notables
BBVA Compass Stadium – Football fans can get their fix at this EaDo soccer stadium, home to both the Houston Dynamo and the Houston Dash.
