(but this is just our opinion!)
Lisbon is our city. And it is a city that is constantly growing, as well as continually changing in terms of its gastronomic offerings. Lisbon’s restaurants are now restaurants from all over the world. In recent years, traditional Portuguese food has been mixed with all the trends in global gastronomy, which makes the Lisbon restaurant scene increasingly vibrant and varied. There are many restaurants in Lisbon, it’s true… but we all have our favorites. This is why – and because we like to share everything with you – we organized a summary of the Best Restaurants in Lisbon, from our point of view 😉
TRADITIONAL RESTAURANTS AND “TASCAS”
These are the type of restaurants we like the most, and even in the midst of the boom in fashion trends, we manage to find truly genuine restaurants in Lisbon, where we really feel at home.
As is the case of A Tigelinha (near Martim Moniz), where you can eat the best (and cheapest) “panados” in Lisbon, or Imperial de Campo de Ourique, where everything that Mr. João serves us comes with a story and a lot of love. Or Jorge D’Amália or Petiscos do Miguel, places that serve the best “bitoques” we’ve ever eaten!
In the Santa Apolónia area we have the classic Maçã Verde, one of many people’s favorite taverns in Lisbon, and a little further up we have Parreirinha do Paraíso, one of those places where we really feel at home, such is the friendliness of the owners. And if you go further to the north, you can find the best suckling pig in Lisbon at Bota Feijão (Parque das Nações), and in Camarate you will find O Fogão, where D. Fernanda serves whatever you want, always in huge doses and at very low prices!
Alvalade is another of Lisbon’s neighborhoods with the greatest range of restaurants, including some of the city’s most sought-after traditional ones: Tico-Tico, a serious snack house, or Adega Solar Minhoto, where the queues at the door reveal the quality of the food… wonderful!
You can leave the city center but stop by at the Amoreiras area to try one of the best roasted chicken in Lisbon in Valenciana. And then head out to Tasca do Gordo, in the Restelo area and try some really good grilled food, or head to the Ajuda neighborhood where you can find Recanto Serrano, a family restaurant where there are fantastic dishes such as “carqueja rice”arroz de carqueja”.
But you can always go away from the center of Lisboa and to the Oeiras area, where it is impossible not to mention Sítio de Gente Feliz (probably the best tavern experience you will ever have in your life) and another unmissable one, which is O Transmontano, with its fantastic “cabidela” and an owner… which you have to see for yourselves 😉
ITALIAN AND PIZZERIAS
There are many Italian restaurants in Lisbon, and some of them are very good! From the classic (and romantic) Il Matriciano in São Bento, where the cuisine is as close as possible to what is done in Italy, to one of the most recent restaurants from the Non Basta Group, Memoria, in Campo de Ourique, probably the best of all.
A special mention goes to La Bottega Di Gio, one of those Italian restaurants that remains more or less a secret and deserves much more attention, because everything is excellent – it has the best lasagna we have ever eaten.
But if you want pizzas, we are also very well served in Lisbon, between more emblematic spaces such as Casanova (in Santa Apolónia) or Lucca (on Av. Roma) – restaurants that “fight” for the title of the best pizza in Lisbon – or new and very trendy, like Lupita or the brand new Jezzus Pizzaria.
ASIAN RESTAURANTS, ALL SORTS AND TYPES
“Asian Food” was the latest trend to arrive in Lisbon, restaurants that include dishes from several Asian countries on their menu. Two of the oldest and best restaurants on this trend include are Boa-Bao (for its space, service and fantastic food) and SOI, in Cais do Sodré, with its decoration inspired by Japanese manga and anime.
But there are more specialized restaurants that take us on a real journey across Asia. Chinese food, for example, is very well represented in the Hong Kong Grand Palace (in Almirante Reis, where we almost only see Chinese eating), in The Old House (a more sophisticated Chinese one, in Parque das Nações) or, if your thing is chinese ramen, at the excellent Panda Cantina.
Speaking of ramen, and because it is one of the biggest trends of the moment, it is inevitable to talk about what continues to be one of the best in Lisbon, Ajitama Ramen Bistro.
We also have worthy representatives from Thailand like Quick Asia (which has one of the best pad thai we’ve eaten outside of Bangkok) and, of course, we can never forget the fantastic Pho-Pu, a very small vietnamese joint, where you will truly feel like you’re not even close to Portugal.
There is also an increasing attempt to showcase specific cuisines, as is the case with food from Taiwan, in Formosa, in Príncipe Real, or with food originating from Macau, served in Patuá, in the Anjos neighborhood. The minchi here is something that you really have to try!
And what about Japanese food, you may ask? We have excellent sushi at Yakuza by Olivier, where everything is prepared to provide you the most elite experience possible, and also in the exquisite Go Juu, considered by many to be the best Japanese in Lisbon.
But if you want a real “trip” to Japan, you can always try to book a table at the very popular Omakase Ri (an exclusive counter for 10 people) or, heading to the Cascais area, go to Kappo, where the tasting menu is one of the best we have ever had. Michelin star standard.
FOOD FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD
And we have other cuisines booming in Lisbon, from the rest of the World. Like in Associação Caboverdeana (near Marquês de Pombal roundabout), where the traditional “cachupa” is accompanied by live music and lots of dancing, or, in a completely different type, A Cevicheria by Chef Kiko Martins, where Peruvian food is highlighted (and continues to be one of the coolest spots in town).
And then you have Tayybeh, in Moscavide, Fenícios Castilho (on Av. Liberdade), Tantura on Bairro Alto and Mezze to show you the best of Middle Eastern cuisine, each one of those in its own style but all of them really good.
There are many Mexican restaurants in Lisbon – and more and more every week – but the best of all was Pistola Y Corazón, in Cais do Sodré. But then the pandemic came and it was one of the closures of 2021. Therefore, and in the register of this “Mexican fast food”, the small Potzalia (which is an experience very close to the authentic one) and one of the Coyo Taco joints now stand out. Regarding fodd from India you have the classics Jesus É Goês (in Mouraria) or Casa Nepalesa (Praça de Espanha area), both really good, and then you can find some others with a more modern approach on Indian cuisine, like Chutnify, in Príncipe Real, or Oven (in the Baixa area). Trendy, modern and delicious.
STEAKS AND OTHER MEAT DISHES
Lisbon is full of restaurants with good steaks ands, more recently, places that focus on aged cuts of meat. In this register (and actually in almost all other food registers), it is impossible to miss Volver de Carne Y Alma, which is not only our favorite restaurant in Lisbon but also has some of the best meat in the city!
But there are many, many alternatives. Beginning in some more “trendy” spaces such as Sala de Corte (now renovated, in Cais do Sodré), Atalho Real (in Príncipe Real, with its excellent terrace) or Butchers, in Parque das Nações, with the best quality-price ratio…
… and arriving to some more emblematic restaurants such as Carvoaria Jacto (in Anjos area), Tachadas (in Madragoa), the marvelous Brasa do Bairro (in Alfragide) or the classic of classics, Café de São Bento (with what is considered the best steak in Lisbon).
FOR SPECIAL OCASIONS
Now we are talking about “Chef restaurants”, sophisticated restaurants, places for special moments (in terms of the foos, the ambience and of course, the price). Lisbon is becoming a paradise for emblematic national chefs to showcase their creations. For example, Chef André Lança Cordeiro and his french-inspired cuisine at the phenomenal Essencial, or Chef Hugo Brito at the always fantastic and unpredictable Boi-Cavalo.
And regarding Michelin Star places, it is essential to visit Chef Alexandre Silva’s LOCO, a unique and wonderful experience. But even outside the Stars register, we have restaurants with fantastic experiences like XXL by Olivier or Prado, where Chef António Galapito works with ingredients like no one else to create unforgettable dishes.
FISH AND SEAFOOD
So of course we are a coastal country, therefore Lisbon is also a city where you can find good fresh fish and seafood. Although it is easier to leave the center to find good fresh fish, there are restaurants such as Último Porto, in the Docas area, or the restaurant at Centro Náutico de Paço de Arcos, where the whole experience is well worth it.
Leaving the city center and crossing the briedge we have the classic O Barbas, in Costa da Caparica, where we can eat an old-fashioned “caldeirada” (fish stew), with lots of fish and really really good.
And in terms of seafood we are much better served right in the center of Lisbon! It is inevitable to go to Ramiro, a place of pilgrimage that is always full and with queues at the door – and of course, because the seafood is fabulous! But there is competition to match, such as Luminosa By Furnas, in the Alameda area (in a more familiar style) or a small oasis in the city center that is Cervejaria Sem Vergonha.
VEGETARIAN AND HEALTHY FOODS
The options for vegetarian or so-called “healthy” food restaurants are growing, and we can find a lot of interesting things in Lisbon. From one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in the city – PSI – but which continues to be one of the best, to one of the newest and most sophisticated, Arkhe.
Or, on a very economical note, we always have the Cantina Hindu, at the Telheiras Hindu Temple, or the more unknown Refeitório Associativo do Centro Hare Krishna, in the Saldanha area, where lunch is whatever is available that day, but always healthy and vegetarian.
Not entirely vegetarian but with very healthy food we also have Rice Me, where everything has an element of rice, and still one of the most interesting restaurants in Lisbon.
MODERN DAY “TASCAS” (TAVERNS)
Finally, the taverns again… but more modern day ones. “Modern taverns” and snack joints were a trend that arrived in Lisbon about 5 years ago and continue to make the delights of everyone, and they come in all types and shapes! And, fortunately, after that foolish trend that was the mixed egg with asparagus and it’s variants, these places have increasingly become spots where you can eat good Portuguese snacks, even with some twists in their preparation. And, more than that, places where the vibe is that of an old-fashioned tavern!
A must-see is Taberna Sal Grosso, in Santa Apolónia, where traditional Portuguese food is served in portions for snacking and with enormous friendliness! Or O Velho Eurico, an unmissable tavern in the Sé area, always full and with people drinking glasses outside! And a newly opened one, Copo Largo, in São Bento, a place to go to eat beautiful dishes inspired on our traditional food from Alentejo.
Some other safe choices are Taberna da Rua das Flores, in Chiado, with serious Portuguese snacks and dishes (although with too many tourists), Pigmeu (in Campo de Ourique), where all the snacks are made from pork…It’s unquestionably one of the best restaurants in Lisbon!
… or even Musa da Bica, a kind of beer bar that has become one of the main places to have a snack in the Cais do Sodré area. To have some really great snacks, drink good beer and, of course, to talk, laugh and simply have a good time!
And that’s it, there are many restaurants in Lisbon, and these are our favorites, the Best Restaurants in Lisbon for us. Lisbon is a city that is constantly changing, but that manages to maintain a large part of its gastronomic identity, regardless of its type or price.
We welcome you to Lisbon! And to try some of the restaurants! 🙂