In Belém, just around the corner from the famous sights, you’ll find Afonso dos Leitões – Food Store. No big restaurant, no fuss – just great food. And the locals know it well.
Come early (but it’s worth the wait)
Arrive early, before 1:00 PM if you can. After that, you might have to wait for a table. But trust us: it’s worth the wait. The staff is friendly, relaxed, and incredibly helpful. Our waiter, despite the busy place, really took his time with us. He gave us great advice – we were going to order red wine, but he suggested a sparkling white instead. Bullseye.
Leitão as the house specialty
The menu revolves entirely around pork. The leitão (suckling pig) is the absolute star, but you can also go for lombo (pork loin) and entremeada (pork belly). Everything is freshly grilled to order. The pigs are prepared elsewhere and grilled traditionally in the restaurant – creating that authentic taste.
While we enjoyed our meal, we heard the rhythmic sound of the cleaver from the open kitchen – a sign that everything here is done by hand and with heart.
We tried everything – and to be honest: the leitão was the absolute winner. Perfectly crispy skin, juicy meat, and a delicious sauce that brought it all together. The entremeada was also delightful – crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. The lombo was a bit less exciting – tasty, but compared to the other dishes a little bland.
Perfect pairing: sparkling wine
Definitely order the sparkling white wine – a bubbly that perfectly complements the rich flavors on your plate. Fresh, light, and irresistible.
Ending on a sweet note with mousse de chocolate
For dessert, we shared a homemade mousse de chocolate – rich, full-bodied, and just the right sweet note after all those savory dishes. The perfect way to end our meal.
Also for takeaway or parties
For those on the go, Afonso dos Leitões also offers takeaway. Their sandes de leitão (suckling pig sandwich) is a must-try for a quick, flavorful bite. And for special occasions, you can even order a whole suckling pig – ideal for parties.
