The Project
TASCA — Authentic Portuguese Restaurant
A project by AHRESP and Turismo de Portugal / VisitPortugal that celebrates and internationally promotes the Portuguese “tasca” — and unveils a curated guide to authentic houses across the Porto&North, Center of Portugal and Alentejo.
3
regions
AHRESP
an AHRESP · Turismo de Portugal initiative
What is a “Tasca”
Portugal's authentic gastronomic culture in its best
The “tasca” is a small-scale establishment, almost always family-run, with a counter and a kitchen, serving homemade food that is simple and affordable.
It is a place where you eat as you would at home, served by people you know or recognise, where the gesture of nourishing is repeated and comfort comes as much from the plate as from the relationship. Hard to define exactly, the “tasca” is — for the Portuguese — instantly recognised.
- Family origin
- Businesses passed down and run within the family, continuing across generations.
- Food
- Daily specials and homemade, regional flavours, close to the domestic world.
- Atmosphere
- A family welcome, affective closeness, a sense of safety and familiarity.
- Social role
- A place of gathering, where eating sits between the domestic and the public act.
The mission
Valuing the “tasca” as a tourism and cultural asset
The project celebrates and internationally promotes Portuguese gastronomy as a distinctive and sustainable tourism asset. It works on capacity-building, structuring the offer and the tourism promotion of traditional, authentic restaurants — the Portuguese “tasca” — as living spaces of sociability and culture.
It recognises “tascas” as living spaces of culture and sociability, fostering closer ties between producers, chefs, local communities and visitors around the ingredients, products and recipes of the Porto&North, Center of Portugal and Alentejo regions.
International promotion
The “tasca”, an ambassador abroad
Throughout 2026, the project takes the “tasca” to strategic markets, introducing international audiences to Portuguese cuisine as an expression of identity and culture — reinforcing Portugal's reputation as a world-class gastronomic destination.
In the Netherlands, the Portugal Food Festival – Taste the Tasca brings to The Hague, on 11 and 12 June, a menu of authentic flavours inspired by comida de tacho. It is during these activations that the curated list of Portuguese “tascas” is unveiled — an invitation to discover these houses across the country.
Japan
2025 activation
Spain
2025 activation
Germany
2025 activation
Netherlands
The Hague · 11–12 June
Brazil
2026 activation
United Kingdom
2026 activation
More than a place to eat, the “tasca” is a meeting point for the community, a stage for the authentic flavours of our cuisine, and a distinctive element in the global tourism landscape.
AHRESP
Who promotes it
An institutional initiative
The “TASCA — Authentic Portuguese Restaurant” project is promoted by AHRESP — the Portuguese Hospitality and Restaurant Association, in partnership with Turismo de Portugal / VisitPortugal.
AHRESP is the association representing the food and beverage sector and the accommodation sector — particularly hospitality, rural tourism, tourism developments, and local lodging.
It is co-financed by COMPETE 2030 and Portugal 2030, with the support of the European Union.
Portugal’s “tascas” are a living expression of who we are and how we welcome others to the table.
Taste the Tasca