Sardinhas assadas: how to put it on the menu
Sardinhas assadas are whole fresh sardines seasoned with coarse salt and grilled over charcoal, served with boiled potatoes, roasted pepper salad or on a slice of bread or cornbread.
Updated October 2026
How it reads on the menu, in each language
| Language | Name | Line for the guest |
|---|---|---|
| Portuguese | Sardinhas assadas | Sardinhas grelhadas na brasa com sal grosso, servidas com batata cozida e salada de pimentos. |
| English | Sardinhas assadas | Fresh sardines grilled over charcoal with coarse salt, served with boiled potatoes and roasted pepper salad. |
| Spanish | Sardinhas assadas | Sardinas frescas a la brasa con sal gruesa, con patatas cocidas y ensalada de pimientos asados. |
| French | Sardinhas assadas | Sardines fraîches grillées au charbon de bois avec gros sel, servies avec pommes de terre et salade de poivrons grillés. |
Usual allergens to check
- Fish
A guide based on the traditional recipe. Only your recipe and your suppliers tell you what the dish contains. How to list allergens
What Sardinhas assadas is
They are the dish of the Santos Populares festivities in June, above all Santo António in Lisbon, and the season runs from May to September, when sardines are at their fattest.
How to write it for visitors
Say how many sardines come on the plate and with what. Explain that they come whole, with bones — many visitors are not used to it. Out of season, if they are frozen, say so.
Where and when it is eaten
In Lisbon at the Santos Populares, in the Algarve (Portimão is famous for them) and along the whole coast, from May to September.
Frequently asked questions
Which allergens do grilled sardines contain?
Fish. If served on bread or cornbread, also gluten.
When is sardine season?
From May to September, peaking in June at the Santos Populares.