The best (food) hotspots in Lisbon, Portugal
The best - read: the VERY best of Lisbon? We have. We went (for years, several times a year) to the city of the seven hills, also delved into the archives, asked team Portugal, and we have lovingly listed all our findings for you. Sit down comfortably, it has become a long long list (because gosh, Lisbon is fun, tasty, wonderful!).
Magnolia's sister (and neighbor) is Calma Wine BarCalma is small but charming, and you can choose to dine outside on the incredibly charming square or indoors by candlelight. We can't say for sure, as both are incredibly inviting. Calma specializes in natural wines (please try the sparkling orange wine, it's fantastic), saké, and specialty cocktails. And then there's the menu—do you have a moment? Dishes are perfect for sharing, and the portions are generous. Recommended: the steak tartare (with plenty of Parmesan), all the special vegetable dishes, and for dessert: the oven-baked Camembert with a caramelized layer of honey.
Yes, Calma is a winner!
Pizza and pasta (and lots of fun) are served at The Crazy Pizzeria Taken to the next level. Not only do they let the dough rise for 24 hours—which ensures that perfectly light, crispy, yet perfectly thick crust—the pizzas are also more than generously topped. And believe us: we're more than enthusiastic about all the starters with stracciatella and various charcuterie, all imported directly from Italy.
La Matta has two locations: one on a cozy street in Graça, and the other right on the waterfront in Cais do Sodré. Inside, it's also incredibly atmospheric. And let's not forget the cocktails and wines – just the way you like them. Yes, La Matta. Let's go.
We dare to say it: this is the best Italian cuisine in Lisbon. Think of delicious pasta with lamb and pasta with gorgonzola. And that in a mega cozy, handsome place, with the icing on the cake very friendly service. Don't forget to make a reservation!
A piece of Italy in Lisbon. Fantastic food in a bombastic interior. It almost feels like you are walking into a theatre. And everywhere you look, there is something going on. Art on the walls, red velvet, kitschy lamps. All this could easily distract you from what it is all about: the food. But that too is taken care of down to the last detail. There are two more low profile bars (the Gastrobar and the Cudo Bar, where, if you try hard, you can hear the Italian sea…) and an Italian restaurant. It is an experience and a place to feast.
Tucked away in Belém, Canalha has taken Lisbon by storm. Despite only opening in late 2023, it’s already at the top of CNT’s Hot List 2024. And rightly so. Chef João Rodrigues cooks the way he lives: without boundaries. His cuisine? A cheeky love story between Portuguese tradition and worldly creativity. With ingredients so fresh you can almost taste the sand. The interior is reminiscent of an authentic Portuguese canteen, where you can watch football among the locals while tasting sublime dishes. Canalha means ‘rascal’ in Portuguese – and you can taste that in every rebellious, yet perfectly executed dish. Make your reservation quickly, because this is where you want (have to!) eat.
Forget everything you thought you knew about vegetarian food. At Arkhe, the chef transforms his vegetables into such spectacular dishes that you won't even (ever) miss meat. And that in (meat-addicted) Portugal. Dive into the five- or seven-course menu and prepare yourself for a sensational explosion of taste. For the real foodies: beg for the cheese board from the wine cellar. Co-owner Alejandro (cheese influencer in a previous life) lets you taste in a fairytale cellar with stone walls, arches and a mini library of cookbooks. Yes, it's just as fantastic as it sounds, you won't want to leave.
If you're looking for that authentic Lisbon feeling that locals and tourists alike queue for, O Velho Eurico is the place for you. go to place. This once modest tasca, hidden on the way to São Jorge Castle, transformed from a neighborhood cafe to must visit restaurant. The young chefs here transform traditional Portuguese classics into dishes that you will dream about for a while: from bacalhau with a twist, to polvo that makes you long for a life by the sea. Our favorite? The suckling pig pie. It is divine. Bring your friends, order shamelessly, and settle in for an evening of food, drink and fun. As it should be in Lisbon!
Bar Foxtrot is one of the oldest bars in Lisbon. With over 45 years of existence, it is safe to say that it is a household name in Lisbon's nightlife, both for the locals as for tourists and they go together very well here. The Foxtrot Bar has the concept of a typical English pub, is located in São Bento and offers four half-lit rooms with art deco decoration, background music and a garden for warm summer evenings. In winter you can warm up by the fireplace in one of the rooms. It is also a great option for an after-work drink (ok ok, after a day of shopping, strolling and hanging out on the terrace it works very well too!). We found it a cool place!
Ok, we get it: strolling all day, from shop to bar, from restaurant to bar, and that on repeat. Without a reservation, just drop in anywhere. Not possible here. You MUST make a reservation for this shop. Secure it. Tie it in. You want this. You have to have this. Ofício Tasco Atípico is so popular with locals that they practically camp out for a table – and if the locals in Lisbon like something, you want it too. Chef Hugo Candeias, created during the lockdown a cheese cake that is so divine that people have religious experiences with it. Try a piece… or just order the whole pie (we won't judge, we encourage it!). The staff can talk so passionately about the food and wines that it feels like a free masterclass. And the menu… oh that menu. Just go yourself.
Ssssshht, don't tell anyone! This gem is one to keep for yourself. But then our platform would become very boring, so very quickly and only for you: vTucked away on an inconspicuous residential street in the trendy Anjos district, Trinca is a truly delightful dining experience housed in a charming traditional building. This mini-paradise serves a small but oh-so-perfect menu that touches on the world: think Japanese precision, South American passion and Portuguese warmth in every mouthful. The wine list is equally impressive, and the staff are so friendly and passionate that you’ll feel like you’re dining with friends.
At Prado (“meadow” in Portuguese), chef António Galapito transforms every meal into a feast. This culinary wizard, who once trained under star chef Nuno Mendes, creates plates of pure Portuguese magic. There are no fancy imported ingredients here – everything comes from local farmers, fishermen and winemakers. Pumpkin with roasted butter, fish swimming in (divine) lobster emulsion, and a white port and chocolate brioche that we secretly wanted to put in our bag for the road. Great with friends, because the table is full of shareable dishes. At Prado, you celebrate the best that Portugal has to offer.
Tucked away on the lively Praça das Flores is Magnolia. The perfect place for brunch and dinner. Since 2022, the owners (a Brazilian-Belgian duo) have been serving up mouth-watering dishes: melt-in-the-mouth camembert in puff pastry with thyme honey, tuna tartare with avocado-mango, and shrimp croquettes (well hello!) where we want the recipe. Their pistachio croissant is so good that we expected a TikTok queue here. The owners can be seen, on their own terrace, enjoying themselves among the locals, sipping tea and sharing gossip. At Magnolia you can taste the real Lisbon!
Imagine an intimate restaurant where you sit at a semi-circular bar, eye to eye with the chefs. Welcome to O Frade – the local darling and we totally get it. With only 18 seats inside (and a terrace outside) it feels like an exclusive party. O Frade is so popular that they have also secured a spot in the always bustling Time Out market. But for the real experience you have to go to the original restaurant. Tip: book early!
Looking for the holy grail of authentic Portuguese food? We give you: A Taberna da Rua das Flores. This restaurant consistently tops lists of “Best Portuguese Restaurants” – and after one bite you’ll understand why. For example, the super fresh tuna tataki, the sardines on toast and the fried aubergine with Madeira honey. The wine list is also impressive, with tigrowing vinho verdes to local gems. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations and the line can be quite long. Tip from flip: put your name on the list, grab a drink nearby, and come back for what may be the best meal of your trip!
Tucked away in an unassuming alley, far from the selfie sticks and city guides, you’ll find this locals’ favorite. Ring the bell (yes, really, you have to ring the bell) to enter this culinary speakeasy with its velvet red couches and nostalgic photos. This is where you eat Portuguese c at its best! Start with the classic couvert (bread, butter, tuna pate). Then comes the Bacalhau à Brás and a Bitoque (steak with fried egg, our Anne's favorite). No fuss, just damn good (cheap) food.
Leave the tourist chaos of Cais do Sodré behind and step into Restaurante Brilhante. The cozy interior is built around the open kitchen, where you have a direct view of the chefs preparing the dishes. And labout birds Attention! The intimate two-person seats along the windows, under fringed lampshades, are the perfect setting for an evening full of old school flirting practices. At Brilhante ('brilliant' in Portuguese, man) you will discover why this name is no coincidence.
The name “pica pau” comes from a traditional Portuguese dish, namely pieces of beef bathed in a sauce of beer, garlic and mustard. This dish is so delicious here that all other restaurants can actually pack it in. The cod cakes are also exceptionally delicious, as is the octopus. The minimalist interior and the creative cocktails make this the perfect place for an introduction to Portuguese cuisine, but even seasoned enthusiasts will get their money's worth here. Oh, and just for a moment: the bread with dip. We would go there just for that.
Casa Reîa combines the best of Lisbon: spectacular food and the beach! Fancy a tasty lunch or dinner after a day at the beach? This is your place. Think oysters, courgette baba ganoush, sea bass sashimi or a delicious summer salad. The star of the menu (in our opinion) is the paella with juicy prawns and tender octopus. Top it all off with a cold glass of beer, wine or Sangria and you will never want to go home.
You may already know the name, the restaurant already had a branch in London and now also in Lisbon. And you can understand why, because here British classics meet Mediterranean flavours. We mention Algarve oysters with pickled kachumber, Madagascar prawns, sea bass with green coorgi sauce and (rapapa rapapa) the most delicious prawn toast everAdd to that delicious local wines and it is a perfect place for a long evening of dining.
JNcQUOI is not just a restaurant, it is a lifestyle concept. Yes, itchy. But hey, you can't always sit in traditional Portuguese tascas, sometimes you feel like high end, private events and more of that. There are multiple locations and each JNcQUOI location is a lively meeting place where boundaries blur. A beach club, a private member club, multiple high end restaurants that look really cool and where you can eat well, villas in Comporta, etc. etc. In the world of JNcQUOI there are no limits to what is possible, you just have to feel like it.
A place full of greenery and colorful flowers, it is not surprising that you get the name Fauna & Flora gives. It doesn't matter, not at all, because let's just love all that green stuff here. At Fauna & Flora you can have breakfast and brunch. On a little side note…it's almost impossible here not to take pictures of your food, no matter what you order. Everything looks top notch! And whether it is also tasty: you can sip the freshest juices, the tastiest cups of coffee, oh and delicious as a salted caramel brownie. Breakfast and brunch the day away!
Pizza is always a good idea, because it's cheap and you'll mostly find locals there (because tourists don't think about pizza, that's true). Anyway. Pizza then. You're welcome. The best in Lisbon? Voila:
Lupita – immediately the hippest of the bunch. Make no mistake: it may also be the most delicious of the bunch. Pizzeria where it is simply very good and always pleasant. Also a very good plan: have Lupita delivered to the park of your choice. Use it to your advantage!
Valdo Gatti – if they have the artichoke pizza, go for it, it's delicious. Image via Valdo Gatti's website.
Retrogusto84 – locals we said, right? Well, here you will find that in the young, cool, arty version.
The Crazy Pizzeria – previously mentioned, but definitely a keeper. The Montanara is a must-try: generously topped with truffle, burrata, and Parma ham. Need we say more?
Bistro Gato Pardo - a wonderful casual bistro where it is also extremely affordable! The house wine is really good (and only costs 2,60 per glass). Thief of your own wallet. And vacation.
Largo da Graça – This is a nice place to sit in the sun for a moment of nothingness. Good idea: at Graça77 get a drink and wine!
Acores na Feira - A sunny spot where there is a nice flea market on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Vino Vero - a so-called hidden gems, run by Italians. You will find the small shop in an equally small and narrow alley. Don't miss it
Breakfast, brunch or would you rather eat a little later and looking for a good lunch? Bee Home cafe you eat the most delicious dishes all day long (okay almost, until 18:00 PM and with a little smuggling maybe a little longer). And just like in the above restaurant, all dishes are prepared down to the last detail. How we like it.
LX Factory
At this street market (it's actually a mini-village) there is a ball seven days a week. You will find the LX Factory on the edge of the city, but that is easily accessible by public transport. Plenty of eateries, plenty of shopping, live music if you're lucky and even if it isn't there, it's fun. Can you see yourself wandering here for a day?
Not included in the above link (but located in the LX Factory) is restaurant A Praça; hell of an recommended. Relaxed atmosphere, extensive menu with pasta and Portuguese “petiscos” (tapas) or the house specialty: a steak with pesto (yes!). A Praça encourages you to drop by, especially at the end of the afternoon, for a better snack on fresh products purchased at local markets. Their motto da praça para si (from our market to you) you understand. The look is retro-vintage – like much of the LX Factory – the music helps create the relaxed atmosphere, as does the wide range of cocktails and G&Ts.
Handsome, affordable, in a prime location and perhaps the very best address in the city for some time. What more could a person want? Would you also like to dream away for a weekend in one of the apartments of Baixa House? Read more here: Baixa House
This new, small boutique hotel is located in the heart of the city, close to the Baixa Chipdo shopping area, the National Theater and in the popular entertainment district of Bairro Alto. It has three stars, which is more than fine and also keeps it nice and affordable. There is no restaurant and therefore fewer staff (also a reason for the hotel's affordability) but the lobby is an excellent hangout. And there are tiger print cushions for the luxury cats among us. Tiger print cushions.
According to many, Taberna Sal Grosso is the best choice for an authentic Portuguese meal in Lisbon. So who are we to argue with this? Tried, tested and passed with flying colors.
First of all, go off the beaten track. Although this restaurant is a household name on 'the other side' of Portugal, many tourists do not know where to find this truly fantastic place. No probs, we will help you with this. Take the ferry from Cais do Sodré, across the Tagus and when you get off the ferry you walk along the water to Ponto Final. It goes without saying that you should make sure you sit here at sunset – it doesn't get any better than that.
Fish restaurant A Cevicheria, located on the edge of the Príncipe Real district, is a popular restaurant with small fish dishes on the menu, similar to tapas.
If there is only one place you really have to visit during a short city trip to Lisbon, it has to be the roof terrace called Park. It is on top of a parking garage (man) and it is a party. The perfect place for a cocktail in the evening while enjoying a beautiful view and ditto tunes from a DJ. To be honest, you are not sitting among the locals, who came, saw and went again, but hip tourists also join in.
Located in (one of our favorite neighborhoods) Bairro Alto, you will find The Decadente. This stylish restaurant serves seasonal dishes with local ingredients, in a relaxed and cozy setting. On the terrace you can sip your cocktail, or try one of their signature dishes such as slow-cooked octopus (yum!). Go for a perfect evening in the heart of Lisbon!
By far the nicest hotel lobby ever, but the rooms are also more than nice - especially the superior rooms overlooking the river. The hotel has only nine rooms and you will find Casa das Janelas com Vista in Bairro Alto, the old town of Lisbon. It is located in a deserted street around the corner from numerous cozy drinks and cocktail bars. Rua Nova do Loureiro 35, 1200-293 Lisbon.
Still along accommodation addresses? Here you will find a list of the best places to sleep in Portugal (not just Lisbon): hotels and apartments
For a more serious hang out and sun worship, take the train to Cascais for a few euros (or an Uber!). Don't expect azure blue seas and idyllic, let alone trendy, beach bars; it's mainly fantastic plastic what the clock strikes. But aren't those the best places? And what does it matter what kind of chair you sit on with beautiful sundowners and delicious fish dishes?
Pharmacia restaurant is located in a mega-large and light yellow building that used to be a pharmacy and is located behind a square from which you have an amazing view of the city. The design is inspired by the pharmacy industry and this was carried out down to the smallest detail. You can also eat Portuguese here delicacies – not the best we ate, but the restaurant is an experience – cocktails on the side.
The locals don't sit here, by the way, but right across from Pharmacia on the square overlooking the river. They get their beer and wine from the kiosk next door, to be honest: we understand that!
There is colour, there is taste, there is plenty of art: the Portuguese aristocracy hangs in the air in combination with the rock 'n' roll of the place. You have to stand up for it.
BAHR at the Bairro Alto Hotel (also recommended btw!) takes ‘eating with a view’ to a whole new level. Dine under ornate vaults or on the terrace with a panorama of Lisbon and the Tagus so breathtaking you’ll almost forget your food… almost! Because what the chef does to Portuguese cuisine here should be banned. Think garlic-grilled octopus, beef tacos, and the absolute showstopper: wild turbot with kale sauce and chorizo.
Finish your evening at cocktail bar 18.68, where mixologist Tiago Santos serves drinks with a nod to the building's past as a fire station.
Actually, we like slightly smaller, less hyped addresses a little bit more than all the hip and happening places. Like the very friendly, delicious and not so new Boteco da Linha. From 12 o'clock you can join the small light café. Outside on the small terrace but actually it is just as nice inside. Even nicer. The vintage hodgepodge goes perfectly with the classic (also light) Portuguese dishes: gigantic perfectly spiced shrimps on pasta, cockles, Portuguese croquettes with beef (heavy, very classic and delicious, if you are up for it). You may not say it, but if you have to choose between a hip Prado restaurant or a cozy alternative address, choose this alternative. You didn't hear it from me.
It really should be at the top of this list, because this has been our favorite for years: Cervejaria Ramiro. You have to seafood keep. Don't expect anything hip: it's full, busy, with shouting Portuguese men in the service, but the tastiest seafood in Lisbon. We're not the only ones who think so, Cervejaria Ramiro is on all kinds of lists of the best restaurants in the world. And although it's a bit more expensive than most restaurants in Lisbon; it's still very affordable. Wine, lobster, crab, shrimp, you name it... There's always a line, you have to take a number and just wait with a beer. Never takes longer than 30-45 minutes. And it's really worth it. So why isn't Ramiro at the top of the list? The last few times it was too busy and that didn't do the service any good. We also don't think the takeover of the adjacent building and where a kind of Heineken corner has been created adds much. Yes, they can accommodate more people, but it doesn't make it any more cozy. But hey, once you're seated and take that first bite, you'll quickly forget those points...
A bit more accessible is another Fado restaurant, Meda de Frades. Nice classical, great Fado music (live of course), delicious food. Also recommended is A Senhorita, Fado and very good food.
Important! If there is singing, you keep quiet. There is music between courses (so you are quiet), during the meal you can chat again.
Lisbon's rock star chef Jose Avillez (from Cantinho do Avillez) strikes again with his Cafe Lisboa (difficult to google, the address is Largo de São Carlos 23, near fables in the Chiado district). The restaurant is located in the National Theater of São Carlos and looks tres chique both from the outside and inside. A stroke of luck when the menu is served and the dishes turn out to be amazingly affordable. More expensive than the average restaurant in the city, much cheaper than Amsterdam prices.
Fish market, eatery, takeaway and bar. The modern Sea Me is all of these and the best a fish lover can get in Lisbon. For sushi and traditional fish dishes. On Friday and Saturday nights jazz and blues DJs give act of presence. To do!
We already said it would be a long list. It is actually impossible to do how many nice and especially good restaurants there are in Lisbon! In addition to the above, the following restaurants are also really worth a visit. Book a few more days.
And there's more...
SUD Lisbon - Dubai meets Lisbon. Luxury on the water.
Yakuza – Considered the best Japanese restaurant in Lisbon. Tired of Portuguese cuisine? Here you go!
Atira-te to Rio – Breathtaking views and delicious dishes along the Tagus River.
Java Rooftop – A stylish one rooftop bar with a 360-degree view of Lisbon. It offers both a restaurant and bar area, with original cocktails and various snacks, including vegan options.
Lost In – Rooftop bar with perhaps the best view of Lisbon.
Zara Café by Castro – Done shopping? Located inside the world’s largest Zara store on Praça Dom Pedro IV, you can tuck in for a coffee and pastéis de nata.
Fabric – Cool place with delicious Middle Eastern cuisine. Famous for its filled challah breads, including versions with falafel and chicken schnitzel.
Lumi – A rooftop restaurant with a spectacular view over Lisbon. Go here for the view and a nice glass.
Santa Marta – Very (hee!) good traditional Portuguese food. Not a fancy place, but 100% worth it.
Fado No Convento – Located in a historic building, you can enjoy Fado and refined French dishes here (daily).
By Milocas – Cape Verde meets Portugal, delicious food, mostly the same ingredients as Portuguese cuisine, but just a little different.
8 Marvila – A huge industrial space with galleries, events and nice places to eat (think of the NDSM wharf in Amsterdam).
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