Must-see restaurants in Lisbon

  • Clube das Jornalistas

    Lisbon

    You have to be determined to find hilltop Clube das Jornalistas, but persevere. This 18th-century house, opening onto a tree-shaded courtyard, has oodles…

  • Pois Café

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Boasting a laid-back vibe under dominant stone arches, atmospheric Pois Café has creative salads, sandwiches and fresh juices, plus a handful of heartier…

  • Sol e Pesca

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Rods, nets, hooks and fish charts give away this tiny bar's former life as a fishing-tackle shop. Cabinets are stacked with vintage-looking tins of…

  • Cantinho do Avillez

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Celebrated chef José Avillez has several restaurants in the neighbourhood, including this buzzing, contemporary bistro. Small plates are a great way to…

  • Versailles

    Marquês de Pombal & Around

    With a marble chandelier and icing-sugar stucco confection, this sublime patisserie is where well-coiffed ladies come to gossip and devour cream cakes (or…

  • Pão Pão Queijo Queijo

    Belém

    Join the snaking queue for Belém’s wildly popular fast-food standby. Crowds clamour over a long list of sandwiches, baguettes or salads, customise their…

  • Alecrim & Manjerona

    Belém

    Tucked away from the crowds on a side street, Alecrim & Manjerona ('Rosemary & Marjoram') is a cute grocery store, cafe, deli and wine bar rolled into one…

  • O Cocho – Mercearia Alentejana

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    This sweet deli and grocery store plays up top-quality, sustainably sourced produce from the Alentejo. Wholesome soups, toasties, tapas and some of Lisbon…

  • Choupana Caffé

    Marquês de Pombal & Around

    It's damn near worth the trek for early risers, as this trendy Saldanha bakery-cafe opens at 7am, even on Sunday. It does light bites (tostas, bagels,…

  • Tagide Wine & Tapas Bar

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Not to be confused with the pricier Tagide next door, this casual, slickly modern tapas bar has pretty views to the river and wine dished out via self…

  • Medrosa d'Alfama

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    This friendly cafe has a handful of tables on one of Alfama's prettiest squares. It's a fine spot for a craft beer with grilled chorizo, tibornos …

  • Cruzes Credo Café

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    In the shadow of the grand Sé de Lisboa, this youthful, jazz-loving cafe, whose name translates to 'Oh my God!' in English, has earned a local following…

  • Café de São Bento

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    This warm, convivial brasserie prides itself on just one dish: Lisbon's most famous steak, cooked to perfection, served swimming in cream sauce, skinny…

  • Royale Café

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This boho cafe spills out onto both its vine-clad back courtyard and pleasant plaza seating, where you can try fresh-pressed juices, scones, tartines …

  • Claras em Castelo

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Just steps from Castelo de São Jorge's entrance, this tiny restaurant enjoys a loyal following for its warm service and solid home cooking. Dishes such as…

  • Antigo 1º de Maio

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Always packed with regulars, this small but festive tasca (tavern) serves excellent traditional Portuguese dishes, amid tiled walls, a garrulous crowd and…

  • Tartine

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This stylish modern cafe and bakery has a tempting display case of almond croissants, éclairs and other baked goodies. Head upstairs to the wooden tables…

  • Páteo 13

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Follow the scent of chargrilled fish to this local favourite tucked away on a small, festively decorated plaza in Alfama. Join buzzing crowds hunkered…

  • Aqui Há Peixe

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Stone walls, sea-green banquettes and nautical knick-knacks here remind one that indeed ‘aqui há peixe’ (‘here there is fish’). Prices are high, but so is…

  • Povo

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    On bar-lined Rua Nova do Carvalho, Povo serves tasty Portuguese comfort food in the form of petiscos. There's also outdoor seating, plus live performances…

  • Confeitaria Nacional

    Baixa & Rossio

    Expanding waistlines since 1829, this stuccoed patisserie entices with strong bica (espresso), pastéis de nata (custard tarts) and macaroons. Upstairs,…

  • Go Natural

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    If you're self-catering or simply after a picnic, this organic, reasonably priced grocer stocks the essentials: wines, yoghurts, granolas, cold drinks,…

  • Tentações de Goa

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Friendly and usually full, this family affair is tucked down a slender backstreet near Martim Moniz. Reserve a table to munch on spicy Goan nosh such as…

  • La Puttana

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    At the small, provocatively named Puttana (it means 'whore' in Italian), upstart chef Nuno Bergonse keeps things simple: a handful of Neapolitan-style…

  • Os Tibetanos

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Lisbon's oldest herbivore temple is part of a Tibetan Buddhism school. Its mantra is fresh vegetarian food, with daily specials such as quiche and curry…

  • Fumeiro de Santa Catarina

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This nouveau-rustic tapas bar is a welcome newcomer to Santa Catarina's dining scene. Its menu of appetising petiscos focuses on smoked meat and fish –…

  • Café Pit

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    The food (tapas and light bites) is distinctly average, but a friendly owner and superb, extraordinarily moist orange cake (€4) make this a perfect pit…

  • Malmequer Bemmequer

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    This bright chequered-tablecloth-and-tile place overlooks a pretty square. Amid a tight, quaint interior, it rolls out charcoal-grilled dishes such as…

  • Terra

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Vegetarians sing the praises of Terra for its superb buffet (including vegan options) of salads, kebabs and curries, plus organic wines and juices. A…

  • Doca Peixe

    Lisbon

    Famous for market-fresh seafood, Doca Peixe is practically under Ponte 25 de Abril. Savour lemony oysters, John Dory with clam rice, or a bevy of…

  • Cantina Lx

    Lisbon

    Decked out like an industrial-chic country barn, this cool cafe in LX Factory is a laid-back pick for snacks, mains such as codfish and sirloin steak, and…

  • Casanova

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Signless Casanova seduces with wood-fired pizza that’s thin, crisp and authentically Italian. Bag a table on the riverside terrace (heated in winter).

  • Cafe Belmonte

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    Palácio Belmonte's peaceful and beautifully located cafe, with old stone walls and an outdoor terrace, is just a few steps from Castelo de São Jorge.

  • Toma Lá-Dá-Cá

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    There’s always a buzzing crowd filling this Santa Catarina gem, which is famed for its simple classics and roasted-pork dishes with French twists.

  • The first shop in Lisbon of the Portuguese artisanal ice cream brand. Flavours vary from ordinary chocolate and strawberry to creations inspired by Portuguese pastries Ovos Moles and Pampilho

    Pascoalini

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    The first shop in Lisbon of the Santarém artisanal ice-cream brand. Flavours vary from ordinary chocolate and strawberry to regional Ribatejo creations…

  • Sitting Area outside Red in Santos

    Red

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    At this shipping container turned casual lunch spot, roast beef is the main ingredient in sandwiches made on the spot (along with home-made fries). The…

  • The tables have marble tops like the typical "tascas" (taverns) and the menu is all about the Portuguese "petiscos" (snacks)

    A Maria Não Deixa

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    The tables have marble tops like typical tascas (taverns) and the menu is all about the Portuguese petiscos (snacks), including staple dishes like octopus…

  • The best popular "bacalhau à brás" in town

    Varina da Madragoa

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    The place is hard to find, but its bacalhau à Brás (shredded cod with onions, eggs and potatoes; feeds two for €9.50) makes this backstreet restaurant in…

  • Customers at the Pastelaria Benard esplanade in Chiado Lisbon

    Pastelaria Benard

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Located in a busy street in Chiado, this cafe and pastry shop opened as a teahouse in 1868. In the cobblestoned esplanade, bright sun-yellow tablecloths…

  • O Corvo's mix and match style

    O Corvo

    Alfama, Castelo & Graça

    This quaint cafe is located in a small, friendly square in the heart of the Mouraria neighbourhood, offering affordable meals and exceptionally warm and…

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