Ahhh, the food of Portugal was the highlight of the trip. The seafood, the pork, the cured meats, the cheese, the wine! Lisbon provided all of this and so much more. So skip the cheesy restaurants with colorful sandwich boards that are 100% a tourist trap and get into some of the best damn food you will eat! The list below are my favorite restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal. You will eat well at these restaurants. So keep scrolling for 14 of the best restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal.
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Make sure to check out the best things to do while in Lisbon, Portugal!
Lisbon Travel Tips and Tricks
- In Portugal, you will be using the Euro. I would recommend getting cash out. Some of the smaller stores and restaurants didn’t accept credit cards. Luckily, there are ATMs everywhere. PRO TIP: Do some research and open a bank account with a company that doesn’t charge international exchange fees.
- Most tourist sites are closed on Monday. So make sure you plan.
- Speaking of tourist areas, the morning is always better. Attractions have shorter lines and you will deal with fewer people while walking around. I found Lisbon to be the most beautiful in the morning.
- I went during the last week of April and it was busy. Manageable but busy. If you have travel flexibility, I would visit during April/May or Sept./Oct. Fewer crowds and the heat won’t be brutal like from June-August.
- Safety: Lisbon is incredibly safe. You will only need to worry about pickpockets like in any major European city. So keep valuables in the hotel and keep your items close to you on transportation, sitting in cafes, and so on.
- Some men might come up to you offering drugs. Just a quick no and they will leave you alone.
- Skip Tram 28. It is the tram that goes around the major sites of Lisbon. It is usually crammed all day with tourists and looks like a nightmarish hellscape. I enjoyed exploring on foot so much more than being stuffed into a tram.
Lisboa Card-Is it worth it?
The Lisboa Card is a prepaid travel card that gives you access to over 20 paid attractions and public transit. You can buy it for 1 day or several days. I don’t think the Lisboa card is worth it unless you plan on crushing several paid attractions a day and using public transportation all day. It is a walkable city so pretty easy to get around and crushing multiple paid attractions a day can be exhausting. Most bloggers will recommend you get this card because they earn a commission through it. So really think this through before you start spending money on it.
Getting Around Lisbon
Lisbon is so easy to get around and walkable. There are plenty of public transit options like the Metro, trains, quick rental bikes/scooters, and trams. The Metro on average is 1.50 (Euros) one way. It is incredibly easy to navigate and efficient.
If you are traveling with others, I found UBERs or Bolt to be the best option. They are incredibly cheap and convenient. (Bolt ended up being the cheaper option.) Often Bolt was just a dollar or two more than the Metro. So this was my primary mode of travel aside from my own two feet.
How long to stay in Lisbon?
I think 3 full days would be the perfect amount of time in Lisbon. There is so much to do and taste that you don’t want to blitz through it. (I hate rushing through places but also understand that vacation time (PTO) can be limited.) I would spend 2 full days in Lisbon then take the third day for a day trip to Sintra, Obidos, or Evora.
Great Hotels in Lisbon
My Story Charming Hotel Augusta
My Story Charming Hotel Augusta is in the center of it all. Located in the pedestrian zone of the Chiado neighborhood. It is literally down the street from Praca de Comercio. This is the perfect location for exploring the city. Most of the major attractions are within walking distance. The hotel is a chain but is incredibly clean and affordable with friendly staff. The bed was comfortable and the room was so quiet. I thought with the restaurants right below my window I would have trouble sleeping…not the case at all! There were a few downsides to this hotel. The room is incredibly small, not a huge deal but remember that when packing. The neighborhood is very touristy. You will likely need to leave the area or do some research to find dining that isn’t just a tourist trap. I would recommend this hotel if you are looking for something centrally located and affordable.
Pro Tip: It is so easy to get to this hotel if you are coming by train from Porto. Get off the train at Santa Apolonia. Walk off the train and straight onto the metro. (The Metro entrance is right in the train station.) Take the blue line (the only line at the train station) and get off at Baxia-Chiado. Then it is a quick 2-minute walk to the hotel.
Casa Balthazar
Full disclosure: I didn’t stay at Casa Balthazar. My sister visited 2 weeks before us and stayed there and raved about it. She said the following about Casa Balthazar. “We loved this hotel. It is super cute, quiet, and small with great service. The rooms are beautiful and clean. It is in a great location that’s close to everything but still quiet. The terrace is beautiful as well as the pool area. The rate is moderately priced but could be a bit expensive for some. I highly, highly recommend this hotel.”
Not feeling either of these hotels? Check out other hotels in Lisbon.
Lisbon Map of Eats and Attractions
Use this map to help with your travel planning and Lisbon inspiration. The map includes our favorite restaurants, attractions, and two great hotels. Happy Planning!
Make sure to check out our favorite things to do while in Lisbon, Portugal.
Best Restaurants in Lisbon
Manteigaria
If you come to Portugal and don’t eat your weight in Pastel de Natas, did you even visit the country?? I am yearning for some of these now; as I write this. A beautiful small custard dessert or snack, that is perfect. I didn’t try the famous ones from Belem but did frequent Manteigaria and they were amazing. Plus, this place doesn’t have the insane lines of people waiting to eat, like the Belem does.
Aqui Ha Peixe
Excellent seafood restaurant. Thoroughly enjoyed the fish of the day and grilled squid. Quick service. I enjoyed my dining experience there. A bit more expensive but not surprising given the touristy area. Highly recommend getting a reservation.
The Folks
Small coffee/breakfast restaurant close to all of the major tourist attractions. Excellent coffee and breakfast (eggs Benny!!). Highly recommend. It gets busy, so go earlier.
Fabrica Coffee Roasters
Fabrica was the best coffee we had in Portugal. The coffee is phenomenal and we visited every day. The coffee is naturally sweet so they don’t offer any syrups or sugar flavorings. I love this because it shows how proud they are of their product. I had their cold brews nearly every day and it was fantastic. They offer a few pastries and ham/cheese toast in the morning. The ham/cheese toast was gigantic and the perfect way to start the day. If you are a coffee person, please go to this coffee shop.
Miss Can
Miss Can is a small shop in Alfama that produces and sells canned (tinned) fish. The store opened in 1911 and has won awards for their tinned fish. You will find tinned fish stores all over Portugal but this was my favorite. The flavors are fantastic and they have a large variety from codfish to octopus. It was the perfect spot to sit down, rest, and have a snack. If you haven’t tried tinned fish before, then this is a must-do! Don’t skip Miss Can.
Time Out Market
I am not unique in recommending Time Out Market. Every blogger and influencer will mention this market. And they are not wrong. This place was fantastic. It is such a cool concept highlighting some of the best chefs in a very foodie city. While also making their food approachable and affordable. I loved the food I ate here. I got food from Henrique Sa Pessoa (high-end sandwich options) and Manteigaria Silva (meats and cheeses) and it was delicious!! I highly recommend sharing your food so you can sample more stalls. The only downside to this place is the insane level of crowds. It is like the Hunger Games trying to find seats for two. Forget it if you are in a large group; it would be better to split up.
Pro Tip: Go early to get seats OR split up. Someone finds seats while the other person grabs food. Then protect your seats. People will try to take it.
Tapa Bucho
I enjoyed Tapa Bucho. The atmosphere was lively and the service was great. The food was incredible. I loved the prosciutto croquettes and codfish tempura. It was just a great meal. I highly recommend this restaurant. Make a reservation.
By the Wine
I loved By the Wine. Excellent service with waitstaff that knows their wine. Their recommendations were on point and exactly what we were looking for. We also enjoyed some cheese with meats and bread. The decorations and atmosphere were exciting. This is a great place to stop for a glass of wine before dinner to just enjoy dinner. This is a must-do. The wine selection alone is worth the stop.
Prado
Prado is a trendy farm-to-table restaurant in the heart of Lisbon. Ingredients are only used if they are in season. So you know what you are eating is fresh. Attractive and delicious. Highly recommend this restaurant. Reservations are a must!
Miolo
Adorable spot for breakfast/brunch. Super attractive restaurant with great eats. There are plenty of healthy choices. as well! A perfect spot for spending time in Belem.
Churrasco da Graça
This is a traditional Portuguese restaurant located at the top of one of the hills near Alfama. There is a tram stop right next to this restaurant. This was a great pick for lunch. The food was fantastic, in particular, the grilled squid and black pork. It was also incredibly affordable. After a long morning of walking, this was the perfect stop for lunch.
Gelateria La Romana
Yes, this is a chain like Grom and Amorino. But it blows those two out of the water. This gelato was incredible. We went multiple times and couldn’t get enough. I highly recommend stopping at this gelateria!
Cotidiano Lisboa
Excellent spot for a healthier breakfast like their avocado toast. The coffee was fine not the best but still worth the stop for the delicious food. Another go early situation or you will end up waiting in a queue.
Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau
Ok, yes this does seem like a tourist trap. But it is still different enough that I think it is worthy of a try. It is a codfish cake with the delicious Serra Da Estrela cheese inside. It is different and the best part is 100% the cheese. (That cheese is ridiculous.) Will I ever eat this cheesy codfish cake again? No, but I am glad I tried it.
Your Thoughts…
This is a list of the best restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal. (My personal favorites!) What do you think is the best place to eat in Lisbon? What are you excited about? Please share in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts.
