Portuguese food is heavily influenced by the country's history and geography, with ingredients like cod, olive oil, and wines playing a prominent role in many dishes. Whether you're in the mood for traditional Portuguese fare or international cuisine, Lisbon...
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Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is known for its delicious and diverse cuisine. Portuguese food is heavily influenced by the country's history and geography, with ingredients like cod, olive oil, and wines playing a prominent role in many dishes. Seafood is a staple in Lisbon, with dishes like salt cod fritters, octopus stew, and ceviche being popular choices. In addition to seafood, Portuguese cuisine also features a variety of meat dishes, including roast suckling pig and grilled chicken. Other popular dishes include pastel de nata, a type of egg tart pastry, and port wine, which is produced in the nearby region of the same name.
Whether you're in the mood for traditional Portuguese fare or international cuisine, Lisbon has something for everyone. Here are my picks for the best places to eat in Lisbon.
A Cozhinha - Sr. Lisboa
$$ - $$$
Sr. Lisboa is a cozy restaurant serving contemporary Portuguese sharing plates. I listed this restaurant first because it was my favorite. If you go to only one of these on my list, I recommend this one. We ate at Sr. Lisboa on our last night in Portugal. It was tucked away near our hotel on a quiet street that could be easily missed. But for those who knew about this hidden gem, a small queue was beginning to form with people hoping to get in without reservations.
Sr. Lisboa is known for its delicious Portuguese cuisine serving shared plates. There are a variety of dishes available serving fresh, local ingredients. Some of the restaurant’s specialties include salt cod fritters, grilled octopus, and roast suckling pig.
In addition to tasty food, Sr. Lisboa also serves a great selection of Portuguese wines, making it a perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a special night out. The restaurant’s cozy atmosphere and friendly staff add to its appeal, making Sr. Lisboa a must-visit for foodies visiting Lisbon. Great service, amazing food, and reasonable prices. 10/10!
Bohemia LX
$$-$$$
Located in the trendy neighborhood of Bairro Alto in Lisbon, Bohemia LX serves traditional Portuguese cuisine with dishes like octopus carpaccio and slow-cooked beef cheek. Traditional Portuguese cuisine is not my favorite, so I wouldn't say that the food was exceptional, however I came here for an authentic Portuguese dinner paired with beautiful Fado musical performances.
That being said, I loved the cheese and bread served as an appetizer - it was delicious. We split a cod dish where the whole fish was served on the plate. It was executed perfectly; it's just not my favorite cuisine in general. The Fado musical performances were wonderful - there were two guitarists and a singer. They performed about every 45 minutes, so it was enough for us to see a performance at the beginning and end of our meal.
Portuguese Fado is a form of music that originated in Lisbon, Portugal in the early 19th century. It is characterized by its mournful, melancholic lyrics and guitar-based melodies. Fado music often deals with themes of love, loss, and longing, and is traditionally sung by a solo artist accompanied by a Portuguese guitar. Fado has a strong cultural and historical significance in Portugal and is an important part of the country's national identity. It is a popular genre of music in Lisbon and can be heard in many bars and restaurants throughout the city. Bohemia LX is a great choice for this.
Cervejaria Ramiro
$$-$$$
Cervejaria Ramiro is my number one recommendation for seafood in Lisbon. Ramiro's is a popular, boisterous spot and THE place to get fresh fish and seafood dishes.
Located in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, Ramiro’s features a variety of seafood options, including grilled sardines, octopus stew, and seafood risotto. Because of its popularity, you’ll be expected to pull a number at the entrance then wait for your number to be called. (We went for lunch and didn’t have to wait long.)
The atmosphere is very casual and informal. There are 3 floors, but we ate on the 1st floor so I can’t comment on the other 2 floors. There is a covered patio but it was not open at the time we visited. It feels lively and crowded inside with groups sat together at long tables inside. (It’s not squished necessarily; you just will likely be sitting near others.)
Fresh seafood is on display in tanks and ice barrels throughout the restaurant. Considering how Portuguese food is served at a slower pace than Americans are used to, I actually found the service rather quick at this relaxed eatery, which was founded in the 1950s.
Fabrica de Nata
$
Fabrica da Nata is chain that lends itself to tourism, however I still really enjoyed visiting this spot. Beautifully decorated with an open kitchen, copper, chandeliers, and blue and white tiles, this restaurant chain is centered around the traditional Portuguese custard tarts, known as pasteis de nata. We paired them with freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee, and it was delightful. Aside from the pastel de nata, you can expect other tasty pastries including croissants and muffins.
Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau
$
Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau is another very touristy chain. I don't normally recommend chains, however if you are in Lisbon for a limited time, and you want to try some of the Portuguese staples, this and the Fabrica de Nata chains are convenient to find and easy to access.
Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau has a little package meal option where you can try a glass of port with a traditional pasteis de bacalhau (salt cod fritter). They also serve salt cod croquettes which feature melted cheese. They are a tasty midday snack. This is not the place to get the cheapest salt cod fritters in Lisbon (they are priced for tourists) but I appreciated the convenience and ambiance.
Time Out Market
$$ - $$$
Time Out Market is more than just a food hall - it's an entire experience. This massive complex is made up of 24 restaurants, 8 bars, a dozen shops, a cooking school, and more. It boasts some of the best food in all of Lisbon - the best chefs, best steak, best hamburger, best sushi, etc.
Jordan tried one of their burgers - although it was not the best burger he had personally ever had, it very well may be considered the best burger place in Lisbon. Time Out Market is very crowded and lively so be prepared to keep your eyes peeled for open spots at the communal tables. This upscale food hall is a foodie’s paradise. All of the restaurant stands are located around the perimeter while the bars and communal tables are located in the center.
Food ranges from traditional Portuguese dishes to international cuisine. The market’s lively atmosphere and diverse offerings make it a must-visit for anyone visiting Lisbon.
What would you add to this list of “best places to eat in Lisbon”? I’d love to know! Have you been to any of these Lisbon restaurants? Let me know! Drop them in the comments below!
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