Lisbon is a foodie hotspot; you cannot leave without trying the traditional food. But where should you eat in Lisbon?
Before I lived in Lisbon, I knew very little about Portuguese cuisine. Still, with time, and even after leaving and visiting regularly, I have explored some of the best Portuguese restaurants in Lisbon.
One of my favorite spots is Restaurant Pica-Pau. They have fantastic service and incredible Portuguese dishes.
So, check out my list to find an ideal spot to try some Bifana (pork) & Prego (beef sandwiches) or Bacalhau (salted cod).
1. Restaurante Pica-Pau
My favorite spot to enjoy classic dishes is at Pica-Pau. I love their seafood, and the service is terrific.
I even tried some of the Lisbon beer here, and it was incredible. It was one of the best I have ever tried. (And I’ve tried a lot)
They have a wide variety of food, and I recommend you go to tapas style and order many of their small dishes to taste them. We enjoyed it.
Hot Tip🔥: Get their shrimp made with garlic. It is fantastic.
2. O Velho Eurico
O Velho Eurico is one of the best Portuguese restaurants in Lisbon, where you can hang out with the locals.
It used to be a local tasca on the way to Sao Jorge Castle, but now it is filled to the brim every night with locals and tourists.
Here, you can enjoy Portuguese cuisine with a twist, but the menu does have some mainstays, like salted cod and octopus.
The menu changes; the suckling pig pastry, lamb, and chestnuts are highlights.
Hot Tip🔥: I recommend booking here in advance as they get swamped.
3. Cervejaria Ramiro
For traditional Portuguese food, visit Cervejaria Ramiro.
It used to be a local beer bar and is now one of Lisbon’s best Portuguese restaurants since Anthony Bourdain visited it in 2013 during his filming of the show No Reservations.
He changed the cervejaria into a must-visit restaurant for locals and tourists. Here, you can enjoy traditional dishes, especially seafood, such as prawns, crab, and lobster.
They serve seafood by kilogram and are best enjoyed in groups. Instead of having dessert, enjoy a Prego sandwich with mustard.
Hot Tip🔥: It is best to book a table as they serve delicious food and get busy. Also, check out these other seafood restaurants.
4. Canalha
Enjoy a fun and delicious 😋 dining experience at Canalha in Belem. Here, you can enjoy a hype menu that is creative and exciting. The old-school design stands out in this restaurant.
Enjoy Portuguese food, and a standout is the liberal pork presa with crunchy edges and chips. You can also enjoy tuna sashimi with trout roe or asparagus served with island cheese in a buttery lemon sauce.
Everyone here gives the chefs a big thumbs up.
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5. Arkhe
If you are looking for the best Portuguese restaurant in Lisbon for vegetarians, you have found it. Arkhe always makes my list as the tasting menu is varied. While there is no meat, you can enjoy traditional veg and cheese dishes. Also, enjoy some excellent Portuguese wine.
Hot Tip🔥: Check out my list of other vegetarian restaurants in Lisbon to find a suitable one.
6. BouBou’s
BousBous is one of the best Portuguese restaurants in Lisbon for tasting menus. The family affair is popular among the locals, as Charlie Bourrat hand-picks the wines for the restaurant.
Her sister Louise oversees the kitchen and prepares food in an experimental style. The restaurant offers a casual dining experience. Choose from a wide selection of tasting menus filled with flavor.
While not a vegetarian restaurant, you can find veggie-heavy dishes here. A standout dish is a sweet potato with coconut tiger milk with kaffir lime. Or enjoy taco with kimchi rice and glazed seitan.
The wine pairing is highly recommended. Also, grab a table that overlooks the kitchen to watch some slick kitchen action.
7. BAHR
BAHR is found in the Bairro Alto Hotel and is one of the best Lisbon restaurants for flavors. You can dine inside or on the terrace overlooking the Tagus River.
Enjoy the best Portuguese cuisine with a twist. A standout dish is garlicky grilled squid served with runner beans and turnips.
For a post or pre-dinner cocktails, head to the new cocktail bar to enjoy the art deco-style interior.
8. Belcanto
Belcanto is a restaurant that first earned two Michelin stars in Lisbon. Chef Jose Avillez is a celebrity who does not disappoint. The staff is friendly, and you can learn everything about a dish from them.
You can choose from three tasting menus or go a la carte, but the taste menus are a real treat. The superstar chef serves up great Portuguese flavors. The shrimp served with a curry sauce and apples is delicious.
Other delicious treats are the crunchy roasted chicken skin with puffed potatoes, and the wine pairing is excellent.
9. A Taberna da Rua das Flores
For the best Portuguese restaurant in Lisbon that serves traditional dishes, visit A Taberna da Rua das Flores.
Enjoy a friendly atmosphere while eating Portuguese food. I recommend ordering tuna tataki or sardines on toast. You can also try classic dishes like fried eggplant made with Madeira honey.
While traditional, the food has a modern twist and an impressive wine list.
10. Oficio Tasco Atipico
Oficio Tasco Atipico serves unique dishes with a modern twist and is very popular with the locals.
The inventive cuisine is superb while you soak up the fun atmosphere. Some must-try dishes are the sea vegetable taco or the crispy crackling veal with marrow tartare not to be missed.
Complete your meal with a slice of cheese tart, a creamy dessert that melts in your mouth.
11. Trinca
Trinca is a budget-friendly restaurant that is small and cozy, from veggie-heavy dishes to delicious fish and meat.
Portuguese, South American, and Japanese cuisine inspire the plate restaurant. You can expect a single dish of birria tacos, prawn ceviche, or Katsu sandos.
They also have an impressive wine list and passionate staff that work there.
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12. SEM
SEM is one of the best Lisbon restaurants for creative cooking. It offers many tasting menus, each designed to combat food waste.
Every ingredient is based on the season and helps support the local farmers. Here, jars line the walls alongside bottles of natural wine with fermented artichokes, peppers, and tomatoes.
Whether you eat egg white garum crunch or sourdough bread, no dish will disappoint you. To add the cherry on top, consider adding the wine pairing.
13. Prado
Visit Prado, which means meadow, to enjoy a wide selection of farm-to-table food. The dining restaurant partners with local fishermen, farmers, and wine producers.
Thus, the menu is 100% Portuguese, with dishes like pumpkin with toasted butter and whey, fish with lobster emulsion, and brioche served with white port and chocolate.
14. O Frade
Enjoy a date night at O Frade with the counter overlooking the kitchen. The small local favorite seats 18 people inside, but you can also dine outside.
Enjoy an intimate experience while chatting with the chef as they serve your food.
They are passionate about ingredients and serve Portuguese food with a modern twist, such as rissoles filled with razor clams or rabbit with pickled onions. Many of the foods are somewhat vegan.
Hot Tip🔥: While thinking about vegan, check out some of these tremendous vegan restaurants.
15. Loco
Visit Loco for a night with friends and top-notch service. Their menu is one of the best in Lisbon.
Work your way through a 16-course meal made with wonderful ingredients. As snacks, you can eat oysters with coconut cream or chili granita. You will see varied plates coming to your table.
During the course, you will eat ash pillows filled with potatoes, snails, wild lamb, and octopus. The chef is passionate about ingredients and uses micro-seasonal products.
16. Café do Paço
At Cafe do Paco, you can enjoy an authentic food experience. To get entry to the restaurant, you need to ring a doorbell.
The food is delicious yet simple. You can start with a classic Portuguese bread, butter, and sardine paste. Then, follow it up with Bacalhau à Brás, a dish with salt cod, eggs, and potatoes.
Or enjoy a steak topped with fried egg served with a creamy sauce. If you have space, end your meal with soaked eggs from Alentejo and wash it down with a glass of wine.
17. Bairro do Avillez
Jose Avillez manages Bairro do Avillez, and eating here is a gastronomic experience. You should take your time, as most plates are for sharing.
The menu includes meat dishes, crispy bacaloa, and chocolate mousse desserts. The staff is friendly, and they will recommend the right wine pairing.
18. Zé Da Moraria
A local favorite found close to Alfama and Martim Moniz is the dining restaurant Ze da Moraria.
While it does not look very impressive from the outside, the interior adds a ton of personality. It is a great place to share food, but it is also available as a single dish with discounts.
Enjoy a mix of Portuguese plates filled with meat, fish, and chicken. Sit next to the kitchen, and you can talk to the superstar chef and staff when you turn your head.
19. Food Temple
Enjoy vegetarian tapas with a twist at the Food Temple. Once you enter, you will see a vegetarian menu featuring dishes you have yet to try.
Here, you find a standout traditional Portuguese dish, like pumpkin, sweet potato, pasta, beans, and couscous, with a creative twist served as Portuguese tapas.
Still, the menu changes daily, and the vibe is international and relaxed.
20. Casa de Alentejo
At Casa de Alentejo, you can enjoy incredible dinner food. I recommend starting with the cheese platters and ordering a bottle of red wine.
Here, you can share plates of food like Lamb Stew with Parsley, Grilled Veal Steak, and Fried Pork Meat.
Then, complete your meal with some dessert and coffee.
21. Delfina Cantina
At Delfina Cantina, you can work your way through a three-course meal. The house wine is pretty good, and the desserts are as well.
It has an intimate space perfect for date nights. The prices are affordable, and you can indulge in traditional appetizers or main meals.
Indulge yourself in meat with bacalao prepared in various ways. Enjoy roasted chicken skin to die for.
22. Marco
Marco serves the iconic Francesinha in Lisbon, and it has different options. The Lady and the Devil menu is spicy and makes you feel on fire.
The Francesinhas have a modern twist and feel like gourmet food. You can also experiment with delicious chocolate desserts like chocolate mousse.
23. Provinicana
At Provinicana, you go for the food and not the setting. Here, you can enjoy a casual yet tasty meal. The standout dish at this dining restaurant is the seafood menu combined with the best wine pairing. The friendly staff is always ready to help.
How We Choose The Best Portuguese Restaurant in Lisbon
When finding the best Portuguese restaurants in Lisbon, we follow a process that ensures every dining experience we recommend is spectacular.
We start by tapping into the vibrant local community to gather insider tips leading us to hidden gems. Furthermore, we seek restaurants that honor traditional Portuguese recipes and cooking methods.
We prioritize restaurants that source their produce, seafood, and meats from local markets and suppliers. Freshness is paramount, and we pay special attention to the seasonality of the menu offerings.
We look for restaurants with knowledgeable, attentive staff who are genuinely passionate about the food they serve. A friendly smile and a well-informed recommendation can make all the difference.
Finally, we believe in experiencing each restaurant firsthand when we can.
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Wrap-Up: Best Portuguese Restaurants in Lisbon
Lisbon offers a fantastic array of dining options to explore Portuguese cuisine. Whether you’re a seafood lover, a vegetarian, a fan of traditional dishes, or eager to try inventive menus, there’s a place for everyone.
From Restaurante Pica-Pau, known for its fantastic service and classic dishes, to Arkhe, a top choice for vegetarians, and Belcanto, which earned two Michelin stars, Lisbon’s culinary scene is diverse and exciting.
With a plethora of dining options, a visit to Lisbon promises a delightful culinary journey for food enthusiasts from around the world.
