FLAVOURS FROM THE COAST AND THE PLAINS
Among the reasons for visiting Sines, the quality of its cuisine is, without doubt, one of the most important. It would be difficult to leave any of the many restaurants in the area without a feeling of satisfaction, especially as most of them combine the pleasure of fine food with stunning views over the ocean.
Fish and shellfish are at the heart of the traditional local cuisine, which always uses fresh ingredients, especially fish straight from the local fishing ports at Sines and Porto Covo. Dishes such as “açorda de marisco” (shellfish with a bread porridge) and “feijoada de búzios” (whelk bean stew) are typical examples of the influence of the Alentejano hinterlands on the local cuisine, resulting in an irresistible combination of flavours from the coast and from the plain.
Although the main element of Sines cuisine is fish in all its forms - served hot, in salads or in hors d’oeuvres - the regional cakes known as “Vasquinhos” - small almond cakes named after Vasco da Gama, the great navigator who was born in Sines - should not be missed.
TASQUINHAS SINES - SUMMER FOOD FESTIVAL
A festival celebrating the local cuisine of Sines is held in July. Tasquinhas Sines, 10 days of celebration for the taste buds (with an accompanying cultural programme) is very popular and includes a wide variety of small “taverns” where restaurants and other local food houses serve their specialties.