Best Places to Eat in Lisbon
There is no such thing as a bad meal in Lisbon – from the simplest of dishes to the most elaborate, Lisboetas take food seriously. It’s impossible to condense everywhere you can taste mouth-watering cuisine in Portugal’s capital city in one article, but we’ve cooked up a list of the best places to eat in Lisbon for all tastes and budgets.
Best Cheap Eats
O Trevo
Known by local workers as a place for a cheap and quick bite, since Anthony Bourdain visited O Trevo in 2012, the cafe became widely recognized as the place to eat the best bifana in Lisbon. The sandwich of thin slices of marinated pork meat pairs well with a cold beer. Mustard is optional.
Koppu Ramen Izakaya
Intimate Koppu Ramen Izakaya, on a side street of Avenida da Liberdade, serves as the perfect spot for ramen lovers. You don’t need to rush in this laid-back environment, and slurping is actively encouraged.
A Valenciana
The menu showcases Portuguese cuisine; however, the main star at A Valenciana is undoubtedly the piri-piri grilled chicken. The crispy-skinned, juicy chicken is served with crisps, white rice, and piri-piri sauce on the side.
Best High-End Dining
Canto
The latest venture of renowned Portuguese chef José Avillez is a curated culinary and musical experience called Canto. Avillez collaborated with prominent Portuguese singers António Zambujo and Ana Moura to create an experience that’s distinctly Portuguese, from the menu to live concerts at dinner. Signature cocktails at the bar include two named in honor of Zambujo and Moura.
Café de São Bento
A stone’s throw from the Portuguese Parliament, Café de São Bento has been a favorite lunch and dinner spot for government officials and political leaders since 1982. Although spotting a top Portuguese politician inside this Victorian-style restaurant is less common today, two things have remained constant: the friendly staff and the city’s finest steak. Bife à Café de São Bento, swimming in its creamy sauce, is still the dish worth hunting this institution down for.
Faz Frio
Unlike other restaurants in Príncipe Real that have succumbed to gentrification, Faz Frio has reinvented itself while maintaining its roots. This 150-year-old restaurant allows you to experience history at one of the private cabinets, where you’ll discover modern twists on traditional dishes like bacalhau à Zé do Pipo (gratin cod with mashed potatoes and mayonnaise) or bacalhau com todos (boiled cod with eggs, chickpeas, and seasonal vegetables).
Top Vegan and Vegetarian
Os Tibetanos
The very first vegetarian restaurant in Lisbon, Os Tibetanos has served as a reference point for veggie food since it opened over 30 years ago. This city classic is renowned for its Tibetan momos, either steamed or fried. The tranquil environment encompasses a shop, a Buddhist temple, and a school situated on the top floor.
Jardim dos Sentidos
Jardim dos Sentidos provides a daily buffet of vegan and vegetarian dishes with a fixed menu for lunch. During dinner, indulge in Portobello mushroom lasagne or gluten-free chili. Save room for dessert; go for a slice of the raw cake of the day or the apple and plum crumble with vanilla ice cream. Weather permitting, be sure to book a table in the delightful garden.
Organi Chiado
The vegetarian menu at Organi Chiado adapts with the seasons while consistently featuring organic, locally-sourced ingredients. Located in the bustling Chiado district, this restaurant welcomes vegetarians and those on plant-based diets with simple dishes that can be complemented with a refreshing juice, organic wine, or a natural, sugar-free cola.
Top Traditional Restaurants
Imperial de Campo de Ourique
Imperial de Campo de Ourique, known among locals as ‘Tasca do João’, is run by a friendly owner who greets everyone, even first-time visitors. The portions are substantial and hearty, characteristic of a restaurant managed by a family from the Minho region in northern Portugal.
Varina da Madragoa
Among the few traditional restaurants remaining in Madragoa, locals and food experts assert that Varina da Madragoa serves the best bacalhau à brás in town (shredded cod sautéed in a mix of eggs and fries). The good news is you don’t have to wait for a specific day to try it, as they prepare this famous dish on-demand, even if it isn’t on the daily specials.
Mão-Cheia
Operated with the assistance of the same not-for-profit organization behind Mezze, Mão-Cheia employs chefs who are over 65 years old. It offers a dining experience reminiscent of a grandmother’s home-cooked meal. Every day at this restaurant, located in the museum, Fundação Arpad Szenes-Vieira da Silva, you’ll get to savor the cook of the day’s specialty—ranging from the typical cozido à portuguesa (stew with meat, sausages, and vegetables) to Brazilian-style feijoada (stew with beans, beef, and pork).
Best of Mouraria
O Cantinho do Aziz
Adventurous eaters can explore typical Mozambican food at O Cantinho do Aziz, where the dishes are as colorful and warm as the ambiance. Savor traditional recipes such as chicken muamba or lamb chacuti. However, take caution; the wait staff’s word on the spiciness of the samosa sauce should not be underestimated if you are sensitive to heat.
Tasca Zé dos Cornos
This small but always bustling eatery, Tasca Zé dos Cornos, provides swift service during lunch, ensuring a steady flow of patrons. Be prepared to share a canteen-style table with strangers while enjoying the family-owned restaurant’s signature dishes: grilled spare ribs with chips and bean rice, available on select days.
Infame
A high-end restaurant situated in the Art Nouveau 1908 Lisboa Hotel, Infame features a menu that reflects the cultural melange of Mouraria. Dishes like Kung Fu Ragu or their unique take on typical grilled octopus include a side of pak choi cabbage.
Best Pastel de Nata
Manteigaria
At this tiny pastry shop in Chiado, numerous visitors line up daily for a fresh batch of warm pastéis de nata. For those caught off-guard, the staff at Manteigaria tolls a bell to inform the neighborhood of a new batch. Pastel de nata is their sole specialty, alongside a selection of hot and cold drinks. Buttery, not overly sweet, and creamy—many Lisboetas claim Manteigaria’s pastries are the best in the city.
Antiga Confeitaria de Belém
The birthplace of the pastéis de nata craze, Antiga Confeitaria de Belém boasts the oldest recipe for custard tarts in Lisbon. This establishment has been handcrafting these delicious treats since 1837, and legend has it that bakers take an oath of secrecy regarding the recipe. Unlike other variations made across Lisbon, pastéis de Belém are best enjoyed immediately while still warm.
Pastelaria Batalha
In a nation where egg yolks are a key ingredient in traditional pastries, family-owned Pastelaria Batalha has dared to innovate by creating a vegan pastel de nata. Free of butter, milk, and eggs, their vegan custard tarts are just as creamy, flavorful, and crispy as the classic versions.
