6 Best Portuguese Restaurants in Lisbon (Local & Authentic)

I’ve lived in Lisbon, and my partner is from Lisbon; we’re both foodies and have tried so many restaurants, so even though it’s difficult, I’ve tried to narrow down my best Portuguese restaurants in Lisbon.

Each of these restaurants is in a different part of the city. See my guide to Lisbon’s neighborhoods if you want to plan your meals around which area you’re exploring.

My list is intentionally only 6 places because I want it to be to the point and include only restaurants and places I can truly recommend.

I’ll introduce you to some local, authentic restaurants, a bakery, and a chain that’s not like other chains you might think.

How I chose these Portuguese restaurants

• Places that represent real Portuguese food, no tourist traps
• Places locals eat
• Places I’ve personally eaten at and still do
• Places I return to regularly

If you want a broader overview of what to eat and where to go, including brunch, pastries, and drinks, check out my complete Lisbon food guide.

1. Pica-Pau

Best for: First Portuguese meal | sharing dishes | lunch or dinner

Reservations: recommended for dinner (especially Thu–Sat); lunch is usually easy to walk into.

Pica-Pau is my top overall pick for traditional Portuguese food in Lisbon.

They serve traditional Portuguese dishes plated absolutely beautifully. I recommend you get a couple of dishes to share if you’re multiple people. Their wine selection perfectly complements the traditional flavors.

If you’re walking in without a reservation, you can sit at the counter and watch the kitchen, but it’s less comfortable than a regular table.

A lot of locals eat lunch here during the week, but I’ve always been able to walk in and get a table without a reservation.

My favorite thing to get is their garlic shrimp and duck rice, paired with their beer from Dois Corvos.

I urge you to try their Pao de Mafra as well. It’s my absolute favorite bread, and I even started baking it at home because it’s that good.

The dishes cost around €16, and some meat dishes are up to €40 for their main courses, so it’s a very affordable place to get some amazing, high-quality food.

2. Tapisco

Best for: Late-night dinner | upscale experience

Reservations: Recommended at all times. I only once managed to get a counter seat without a reservation.

Tapisco is located in Príncipe Real, with Portuguese classics at its core and a few Spanish influences.

It’s a super small restaurant, so book a table in advance. It’s quite popular, also because it’s been mentioned in the Michelin guide for multiple years.

They make an amazing duck rice, and it’s an open kitchen, so you can see what’s happening no matter where you’re sitting.

Their Gambas al Ajilo is amazing, too, and their Croquetas de Jamón Ibérico as well. I recommend getting a couple of dishes to share, and possibly with some amazing Portuguese wine if you’re into it.

I’ve tried almost everything on their menu, and I have yet to get disappointed.

Their dishes vary from 10-30€ depending on what you get. It’s super high quality and well worth your time and money.

3. Bonjardim

Best for: Piri-Piri chicken | lunch

Reservations: No, just come and get in line

Bonjardim is my absolute favorite place for Piri-Piri chicken. It’s the best piri-piri chicken I’ve had in Lisbon.

It’s low-key and located on a side street next to Avenida da Liberdade.

You can’t reserve a table; you just have to show up and get in line if there is a line.

They have both indoor and outdoor seating, so the line moves super fast.

My go-to order is always the spicy Piri-Piri chicken, normal rice, and fries. If you just ask for the chicken, you get it normally, but you can request it spicier, and it usually has more flavor.

It comes out super fast and tastes absolutely divine. There’s Piri-Piri sauce on the tables that you can add on to get even more flavor, but be careful because it can get really spicy. If you don’t see the sauce, just ask the waiter or the table next to you.

You can eat two people there for around €20 and have the best chicken you’ve ever tried. It’s getting a little touristy, but the locals don’t care; they still come, eat, and often sit inside.

This is a fast-paced place, so if you’re looking for a place to sit and relax for a long time, don’t go here.

4. H3

Best for: A quick lunch

Reservations: No

H3 is a bit different than the other restaurants on the list as it’s a chain, but it 100% has its place on this list.

If you want to eat like locals on a weekday lunch break, this is one of the most Portuguese experiences you’ll have.

H3 is in multiple locations across Lisbon, including Amoreiras Shopping Center, Armazéns do Chiado, Colombo Shopping Mall, and more.

They serve traditional Portuguese food, and so many locals eat lunch here because it’s fast, tastes absolutely amazing, and the prices are good.

I recommend the “Champignon” dish: rice with mushroom sauce, beef, and chips. It’s a safe winner every time, and for a reason, the most popular.

A little tip here is to ask for your meat well done, so you get it nice and pink. If you ask for medium, it comes out rare. I’ve tried it a couple of times now.

You pay around €8-10 for a meal with a drink, so it’s very good value and a super-fast way to try something Portuguese that’s amazing at the same time.

5. SUD Lisboa

Best for: Fine-dining | Celebration

Reservations: Yes

I’ve been to SUD Lisboa a couple of times, and it’s been incredible each time. We’re always two people going, so we get to sit at the window with an amazing view of the Tagus River.

It’s located in Belém, and I recommend taking an Uber or Bolt to get there.

While it’s more refined and international in style, it still showcases Portuguese ingredients and wines exceptionally well.

It’s very fine-dining, and the food is super tasty. I recommend getting a starter and a main course, and, if you have space, a dessert as well.

If you’re up for it after dinner, they have a rooftop bar for drinks.

If you come on Fridays or Saturday evenings, there’s often some entertainment, either a singer or a dancer who walks around and blends in.

They change their menu often, but their Tagliolini Al Ragú is amazing, especially if you add a little fresh truffle.

I’m also a big fan of their Aged Beef Steak.

For starters, go with their burrata or cheese board, depending on what you’re into.

A little tip here: if they’re fully booked at the restaurant, then call them as they might be able to squeeze you in. I’ve managed this once, so it’s definitely possible.

The prices range from 16€ to €130 per main dish because they serve Wagyu and similar, so it’s on the pricier end, but absolutely worth it. The majority of the dishes are around €30, though.

Their wine selection is amazing, especially their Portuguese wines.

It’s often fully booked, and if that happens to you, I can recommend Palacio Chiado instead. It has a lot of the same vibes, and it’s also fine dining.

6. A Padaria Portuguesa

Best for: Breakfast | Quick lunch.

Reservations: No

This is where many locals actually eat every day.

It’s one of the most Portuguese food experiences you’ll have, especially for breakfast and quick lunches.

A Padaria Portuguesa has many bakeries around Lisbon, and locals get their breakfast or even lunch there.

My favorite thing to get is the Croissant Brioche with cheese. It’s such a nice balance, and the taste is something unique. Sweet and savory in each bite.

Recently, I’ve started eating their Pão de Deus a lot, which is bread topped with coconut. It tastes amazing with cheese, too.

Their prices are quite low, from a couple of euros to a maximum of €10. It’s very affordable, and they’re super helpful.

They often don’t speak much English here, so get your Portuguese ready. Jokes aside, you’ll do just fine with a little Portuguese and a little pointing.