There’s no official “Little Portugal” in Rhode Island, but it can certainly feel like you’ve entered one sometimes.

New England’s Portuguese communities have an expansive history , traceable to 19 th century whaling expeditions that would set sail from New Bedford or Fall River and stop in the Azores to recruit crew members. Waves of Portuguese immigrants later settled in Rhode Island to staff textile mills or take up farming, finding opportunities far from the economic and political upheaval going on back home.

Today more than 10% of the population claims Portuguese ancestry, so it’s no wonder there’s an abundance of authentic restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores to visit.

Dessert

East Providence is a hub for Portuguese dining, so I decided to head there for some pastries.

Th

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