Lisbon’s great restaurant scene is one of many reasons why you’ll like it here.
There are several good local options but for some reason, it can still be quite hard to find information about them online. I just spent 3 months in Portugal and left with several favorite places.
Here are my recommendations for those days when you’re in the mood for some authentic Portuguese food. From fancy to budget, there are restaurants for every occasion. Bring anyone here who’s said that Portuguese food isn’t anything special and watch them change. You’re in for a treat.
Bairro do Avillez – A Culinary Experience
Photo: Bairro do Avillez
It isn’t really fair to describe eating at Avillez as visiting a restaurant. Being one out of 12 restaurants managed by Jose Avillez, who is considered to be one of the best Portuguese chefs, Bairro do Avillez is more of a gastronomy experience so good that you will run out of superlatives to describe it. Even if you take your time here (and you should), you will still not want to leave.
Most of the plates are made for sharing, making it the perfect place for groups of friends and families. We went on a Sunday and it was fully-seated, which is more of a standard than an exception. It’s recommended to make your reservation with anticipation to be on the safe side.
The menu consists of a mix of tender meat, perfectly prepared, crispy bacalao, and dessert so delicious that you will feel like writing home about it. The staff will take care of you, balancing attentive and intrusive just the right. Let them recommend a suitable bottle of red from the Alentejo or Douro Valley region and you’ll be happy for the rest of the day, no matter what happens next.
Address:
Bairro do Avillez
Rua Nova da Trindade, 18
1200-303 Lisbon
Zé Da Moraria – Full Of Personality
Located on a small side street, close by Alfama and Martim Moniz, you will probably not just randomly walk by this charming local favorite. If you do, it’s still easy to pass it, since it doesn’t look that special from the outside. Once you enter, its personality rather than beauty will win you over. The walls are full of small posters of iconic people who’ve been eating there. All of them are smiling, and once you’ve tried the food you’ll understand why.
I went just after lunch hour and got the last table. The crowd consists of tourists, professionals, and local families. This is a great place for sharing food. The majority of the options on the menu are meant to be shared between two people but can be prepared for one to a slightly discounted rate.
The menu presents a mix of typical Portuguese plates such as fish, meat and juicy chicken served in large portions. You literally sit next to the kitchen and if you just turn your head around you can talk to the staff. The ambiance is very familiar and I would say that it’s the perfect spot for a long-lunch.
Address:
R. João do Outeiro 24,
1100-341 Lisboa, Portugal
Food Temple – Vegetarian Tapas With A Twist
This blurry image doesn’t give the food justice but gives you an idea.
Hidden on a narrow street full of small cute local hang-out spots a two minutes walk from Martim Moniz, you’ll find this charming eatery. As soon as you enter, someone will be with you with their distinct vegetarian menu, most likely featuring at least one dish you haven’t tried before.
The menu is short and great with a focus on fresh, organic ingredients, and a creative twist to Portuguese cuisine. Expect pumpkin, sweet potato, couscous, pasta, beans and other vegetables presented in the form of small healthy Portuguese tapas.
If you’re a party of two or more, you can avoid the fair of missing out by ordering it all. We did, accompanied by a bottle of red. Since the menu changes every day, you can still come back (you will be wanting to). The vibe at the Food Temple is international and relaxed. The service is quick, personal and chill, in a way that makes you feel like it easily could become your local neighborhood hang-out spot. You know, where you bring a good friend and catch up on life.
Adress:
Beco do Jasmim 18
1100-289 Lisboa, Portugal
Casa de Alentejo – Wine & Dine In An Old Palace
Casa Alentejo has been around for decades. Located in old palace building a one minute walk from Plaza Rossio, it’s a great place for dinner. Start with their cheese platters and if you’re into red, order a bottle of Reguengos, it’s delicious.
I went with two local friends and we shared three main plates among us; the Grilled Veal Steak, the Lamb stew with Parsley, and the fried pork meat. All of them were divine – especially the pork. As the name suggests, the menu is all about the best from the Alentejo region in Portugal, which is famous for having some of the best food and wine in the country.
We finished off with the assortment of regional desserts (Toucinho do céu, Cericá, Tarte de requeijão) and coffee. This place is located right in the heart of Baixa and well-known but has still maintained its authentic quality, which made it so famous in the first place. I’ll be back next time I’m in Lisbon, and you should too – you won’t be disappointed.
Adress:
Rua Portas de Santo Antão, 58
1150-268 Lisboa . PORTUGAL
Delfina-Cantina – Intimate and Delicious
I went here with a friend for dinner based on a recommendation from a local foodie. We ended up staying for more than 3 hours, working our way through a 3-course dinner. The house wine is great, and so is the location, and the desserts…
Delfina is an intimate place, making it perfect for a date night. It looks quite elegant at first sight, while it at the same time comes with affordable prices and a casual ambiance. Here, you can indulge in traditional appetizers and mains such as meat and bacalao prepared in different ways. The chicken ended up becoming our favorite.
In addition to great food, the service is personal and attentive. It seems like the staff really enjoy working here. They were celebrating one of the team members birthdays while we were there, singing and eating cake in the restaurant, while still taking very well care of every guest.
Adress:
Praça do Município 21
1100-365 Lisboa, Portugal
Marco – The Best Francesinha in Lisbon
If you want to try the iconic Francesinha in Lisbon, this is your place. They have a few different ones to choose from. We went for the Lady and the Devil. The menu says that it’s so spicy that you will feel like you’re on fire, but if you’re used to eating spicy, you probably won’t think it is. It doesn’t really matter, because it got so much flavor.
What I like the most about it, is that it feels like you’re eating gourmet Francesinhas. Leaving you happily full, rather than stuffed in a bad way, as some fast food can. We also experimented with the chocolate desserts, so delicious. Marco is the perfect in-the-middle-of-the-week treat to yourself.
Adress:
Largo Santos 14D
1200-109 Lisboa, Portugal
Provinicana – A Simple Little Hideaway
A local friend brought me to this place. It’s simple in such a way that you know that people don’t come here for the setting, they come here for the food. If you’re looking for something fancy, you better go somewhere else. If you’re looking for a very casual, but tasty, dinner, this is your place. The service is genuine, with staff who welcome you in a way that makes you feel as if you’ve been here before, even if it’s your first time.
We had fish and meat, both great, combined with some tasty vinho verde. It’s one of many restaurants in a row on the same little street. Easy to just pass since the options are so many, but you will be very pleased once you’re here.
Adress:
Tv. do Forno 23
1150-193 Lisboa, Portugal
Other Places With Authentic
Portuguese Food In Lisbon
I still got so many restaurants on my list of places that I would like to try. Here are just a few of them that I’ll make sure to pass by next time I’m around:
- Belcanto: The only restaurant in Portugal that has received two Michelin stars. Also run by the one and only José Avillez, with a different concept.
- Fabulas: A traditional restaurant in a basement-look-a-like venue. They also have a charming outdoor seating and apparently, the food is great
Do you have other favorites that aren’t on this list? Then I’d love to know about them in the comments! It’s always a pleasure to connect with other foodies.
You might also want to check out my guide to Martim Moniz, my favorite area to stay in Lisbon, or 7 things you you’ll love in Portugal (including tips of where to experience those things in the best way).
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