Mealhada

This is the reason people come to Mealhada. Leitao da Bairrada (Bairrada-style roast suckling pig) is roasted whole in wood-fired ovens until the skin is impossibly crispy and the meat is tender and juicy. It is served with roast potatoes, salad, and slices of orange. The town has dozens of restaurants specialising in leitao, and the competition keeps the quality extremely high. Order a half portion (meia dose) if you are walking the next day. Pair it with Bairrada espumante (sparkling wine)

The Bairrada wine region surrounds Mealhada, and the local wines are excellent. The sparkling wines (espumante) are made using the traditional method and rival many Champagnes. The still reds, predominantly from the Baga grape, are structured, tannic, and age beautifully. Several small producers offer tastings in the area. At minimum, order a bottle at your leitao restaurant and appreciate how well the wine and the pork work together.

The countryside around Mealhada is vineyard country. If you arrive early or have time before dinner, walk out along any of the small roads leading from town into the vines. The Bairrada landscape is gentle, green, and well-tended. After the open plains of the Ribatejo further south, this region feels more intimate and cultivated.