Must-see restaurants in Portugal

  • Mini Bar

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Trendy and fun, Mini Bar is the most approachable and hippest entry point into the innovative cuisine of Michelin-starred chef José Avillez, who has…

  • Tasca Kome

    Baixa & Rossio

    This blink-and-you'll-miss-it Japanese tasca is one of Lisbon's few turning out authentic cuisine from the Land of the Rising Sun. The menu doesn't…

  • Forno d'Oro

    Marquês de Pombal & Around

    True to its name, Lisbon's most serious pizzeria indeed produces pies out of a golden (brick) oven. The burrata and buffalo mozzarella here is flown in…

  • Izcalli Antojeria

    Lisbon

    Sitting inconspicuously along Alcântara's main drag, this tiny, cash- and counter-only small plates newcomer is an authentic journey through Mexico's…

  • Ground Burger

    Marquês de Pombal & Around

    Trendy, Norwegian-run Ground Burger is an obvious standout in Lisbon's ongoing gourmet-burger war, sticking to perfectly executed American-style classics …

  • Fifty Seconds

    Parque das Nações

    This hot newcomer is named for the time it takes the lift to whisk foodies up the long-unused, 120m-high Vasco de Gama Tower at the Myriad by Sana Hotel…

  • Lucimar

    Lisbon

    Haul yourself to this friendly neighbourhood taberna for one thing and one thing only: Lisbon's best Francesinha ('Little Frenchie'), a speciality of…

  • Restaurante Madeirense

    Faro

    For an exotic take on Portuguese cuisine, this small Madeiran restaurant bangs down plates loaded with specialities you'll only get on the Island of…

  • Horta dos Brunos

    Marquês de Pombal & Around

    Chef Pedro Filipe's somewhat unknown and unassuming gourmet tasca, a favourite among moving and shaking politicians and in-the-know gastronauts, does some…

  • Taberna da Esperança

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    In a cosy, atmospheric dining room, Taberna da Esperança wows diners with flavourful dishes that blend Alentejan recipes with a modern edge. The inventive…

  • Taberna da Rua das Flores

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    You'll have to get past the owner's unfortunate 'My way or the highway' attitude, but if you do, this tiny throwback tavern does a daily-changing, locally…

  • O Tachadas

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    On closer inspection, this seemingly undistinguished tasca near Santos train station reveals some very serious carnivorous happenings. There are other…

  • Pirolito

    Alto Alentejo

    A stylish new tapas and wine bar has arrived in Castelo de Vide, making it all the more worthwhile to stick around after sundown. Small plates of shrimp…

  • Páteo do Petisco

    Cascais

    To escape the high prices and tourist masses in the old town, head out to this local favourite in the Torre neighbourhood. It's a buzzing place, with a…

  • Nunes Real Marisqueira

    Belém

    Flee the crowded sidewalks of Belém's epicentre for this modern and excellent seafooder a bit down the road, where stacks of top-notch fish and…

  • Nau Palatina

    Sintra

    Sintra's friendliest and most welcoming restaurant is a travel-highlight star in the making. Congenial owner Zé's creative tapas are as slightly off…

  • Blini

    Vila Nova de Gaia

    Overseen by Portuguese star chef José Cordeiro, the Blini is a chic newcomer to Gaia. The reflective cube perches atop a historic town house, its…

  • Taberna Tosca

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    A peaceful retreat from the nearby Rua Nova do Carvalho mayhem, Tosca is an enticing spot for Portuguese tapas and bold Douro reds (but don't be afraid to…

  • Pistola y Corazon

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This lively hipster taqueria is a godsend of authentic Mexican street tacos (carnitas, cochinita pibil, carne asada, al pastor etc), served among tweaked…

  • Tasca da Esquina

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    Headed by celebrated chef Vitor Sobral, the 'tavern on the corner' serves rich and inventive dishes featuring classic Portuguese ingredients. It's a small…

  • Decadente

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This beautifully designed restaurant inside a boutique hostel overlooks the stunning Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara and has touches of industrial…

  • Vicente by Carnalentejana

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    This sexy restaurant dishes up succulent beef and pork dishes made with ultrapremium Carnalentejana DOP-certified meat from the Alentejo, along with wines…

  • Casa de Pasto

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Up the stairs behind a not-very-triumphant facade lies this surprising treasure trove of 19th-century Portuguese bric-a-brac (seashell nightlights,…

  • Eight Health Lounge

    Baixa & Rossio

    This refreshing Praça da Figueira newcomer is fiercely devoted to both plant-based sustenance and immaculate design. Clean-lined craft woodwork juxtaposed…

  • Mercantina

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    You'll find some of Lisbon's best pizza – uncut, certified by Napoli's strict Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana – at this cosy Chiado hotspot whose…

  • Landeau

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    The Portuguese love to self-proclaim their product to be the best this or the best that in the world, but this don't-miss cafe puts its chocolate where…

  • Sala de Corte

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    From its latest and far more prominent location on pretty Praça Dom Luís, the not-to-be-missed 'cut room' dishes out succulent, perfectly seasoned…

  • Tapabento

    Aliados & Bolhão

    There’s a good buzz at split-level Tapabento, discreetly tucked behind São Bento train station. Stone walls, bright prints and cheek-by-jowl tables set…

  • Zé Varunca

    Bairro Alto, Chiado & Cais do Sodré

    Fans of this small Alentejan icon were aghast when it disappeared from Lisbon's foodie map in 2015. Thankfully, Zé resurfaced a year later in improved…

  • Estaminé

    Faro

    Built to look like a crab when viewed from above, this remote restaurant rises up on boardwalks from the Ilha da Barreta as its sole building. It's an…

  • Frankie

    Lisbon

    Follow the locals out of the tourist zone to Campo Grande and get in line (a very long line!) with the cool kids to devour Lisbon's favourite gourmet hot…

  • A Portuguesa

    Vila Nova De Milfontes

    This sunny, handsomely designed cafe is a showcase for high-quality Portuguese produce. You can stop in for light meals (creative salads, sandwiches,…

  • In Bocca al Lupo

    Príncipe Real, Santos & Estrela

    This excellent 'bio-trattoria', mostly hidden away from tourist view, does a long list of authentic, organic, and seasonal gourmet pizzas baked in a…

  • Restaurante Central

    Portugal

    Drawing a healthy mix of village old-timers and hip travellers, the authentic Portuguese cuisine of Mrs Dalila takes centre stage at this simple but…

  • Old House

    Parque das Nações

    Transport yourself to China at this authentic Szechuan powerhouse (tamed for local tastes), an upscale Chinese chain restaurant that chose Parque das…

  • Pastelaria Restelo

    Belém

    Better known as Pastelaria O Careca ('The Bald Guy') among locals, this simple pastelaria flanking a small plaza has been dishing out Lisbon's sweetest…

  • 18 e Piques

    Vila Nova De Milfontes

    Everyone's favourite lunch spot, 18 e Piques whips up delicious toasted sandwiches on fabulous freshly baked bread – combos range from goat's cheese,…

  • O Albertino

    Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela

    With the smell of woodsmoke in the chill mountain air, O Albertino completes the scene perfectly: a cosy stone-walled restaurant specialising in delicious…

  • Sabores do Campo

    Baixo Alentejo

    If you’re a vegetarian, or simply need a break from pork and codfish, this cheerful cafeteria-style eatery will come as a godsend. Fresh fruit (papaya,…

  • Pastelaria Rosa

    Silves

    Wrought-iron chairs fill the traditional blue-and-white tiled interior and pavement terrace at this atmospheric cafe. House-baked treats include bolos de…

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