Verified Writer4.912527 reviews
Verified Writer
Lisbon, Portugal
5(604)
20 Guests Max
3 hrsFor food and wine lovers, Lisbon is terrific. The Portuguese capital sits at the confluence of European and Moorish cultures, creating a rich and varied range of cuisines. Seafood here is excellent, given Lisbon’s situation on the sea, with Bacalhau (salt cod), Sardinhas Assadas (grilled sardines) and clams in garlic sauce perennial favourites. Pork and lamb heavy meat dishes are also popular, forming part of the broader Alentejo cuisine from the local region. And, of course, Lisbon is home to the Pastel de nata – a succulent custard tart and arguably the world’s tastiest sweet treat.
But Lisbon is also becoming more touristy, with an increasing number of restaurants trying to cater to international palates. This is not stripping away at the city’s culinary identity, but it does mean more tourists are eating out in pretty inauthentic places. Our award-winning Lisbon Food Tour is by far the best way to taste a range of local cuisine at the places the locals love. But we also want to make sure you have a list of traditional Lisbon restaurants for the rest of your trip.
Below are some of the city's finest traditional restaurants, vetted through personal experience and the recommendations of our local guides.
Address: R. de São Bento 212, 1200-821
Open: Mon - Fri 12 pm - 3 pm, 7 pm - 1 am. Sat - Sun 7 pm - 1 am.
It may look modest from the outside, but this long-standing restaurant just west of Bairro Alto serves without doubt the best steak in Lisbon. The sauce of their famous File a Cafe Sao Bento steak is to die for, its recipe a well-kept secret, and it goes beautifully with their perfectly crispy fries.
Café de São Bento has the vibe of an English private club. Upon arrival, you have to ring a bell and wait to be let in by a waiter, who pulls back a plush red curtain to reveal wooden and red velvet decor with soft jazz music playing in the background.
Make sure to book in advance since the secret has been out for some time.
Address: R. das Portas de Santo Antão 58, 1150-268
Open: Daily 12 - 4 pm, 7 - 11 pm
Set within a 17th-century Moorish-style former palace, the building features opulent tiled interiors, grand fireplaces, and striking azulejos that blend the best of Moroccan and European influences.
Visiting one of the best traditional restaurants in Lisbon on our Lisbon Food Tour
Its menu revolves around traditional Alentejo cuisine, with emphasis on black pork, lamb, hearty stews, charcuterie, and bread-based soups like Açorda and migas. Portions are generally generous (depending on what you order), with the pork with clams, lamb stew, and local plum dessert being our personal favourites.
Reserve your table here.
Address: Largo São Cristóvão 3, 1100-179
Open: Wednesday - Sunday 12 pm - 3 pm, 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm. Tuesday 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Nestled between Baixa de Lisboa and Alfama, this charming, casual neighbourhood tasca serves classic regional fare at reasonable prices. Standout dishes include Bacalhau à Casa Codfish (Portugal’s answer to English fish and chips) and Arroz de Pato Duck Rice as well as perennial favourites like Bacalhau à Bras, octopus rice, and Cuttlefish.
O Velho Eurico was recently acclaimed by chef Nuno Mendes as a nostalgic tavern with “amazing energy; the food is incredible” Bear in mind this place is cosy but compact with outdoor seating scarce, so make sure you get here early to avoid disappointment.
Address: Calçada do Combro 42, 1200-115
Open: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 3:30 pm, 8 pm - 12 am
This understated tasca has the feeling of a family kitchen but the quality of an established restaurant, serving up generous portions of authentic Portuguese cuisine at reasonable prices.
We like to start with either the chorizo or cod fish fritters with house wine before moving on to the Bacalhau à Bras or Pork Alentejo (pork with claims), finishing with the unusual but well-worthwhile rum-soaked omelette. This place is fantastic for foodies and budget travellers alike.
Address: Praça Luís de Camões 48, 1200-283
Open: Monday - Saturday 7 am - 9 pm
O Trevo is the best place in Lisbon for bifanas – Portuguese pork sandwiches whose meat has been marinated in a white wine, garlic and paprika sauce. This tasca is not so much a sit-down restaurant as a must-visit lunch spot where to grab a bifana, a beer and a plate of fries.
The service is fast and friendly, and the prices reasonable (€2.50 for a bifana, €2.80 for a bifana with cheese). O Trevo also displays a great selection of pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Address: Tv. Parreiras 39, 1150-250
Open: Monday - Saturday 12 pm - 3 pm, 7 pm - 10 pm
Don’t let this restaurant’s central location, multi-lingual menus, and plastic model chef fool you into thinking it’s a tourist trap. Forninho Saloio is a terrific local restaurant to try traditional fish and meat dishes.
Picanha (sliced beef from the top of the rump) with rice, black beans and fries is the standout dish, but we also love their potato croquettes, shrimps on a spit, and Bacalao a la Cazuela (codfish stew in a bed of roast potatoes).
Address: Av. Alm. Reis 1 H, 1150-007
Open: Tuesday - Sunday 12 pm - 12 am (11 pm on Sunday)
Situated just north of the Moorish Quarter, Cervejaria Ramiro is a multistorey beer drinking establishment with a stonking seafood menu. Their comprehensive menu features everything from tiger prawns and spider crabs to rock lobster, and the variety gives this place more the vibe of a seafood market than an upmarket restaurant.
Still, the quality of the seafood speaks for itself. The meaty scarlet prawns, scallops, king crabs and giant garlic prawns are all out of this world. For soupier seafood dishes, have some buttered bread to hand to mop up the sauce.
Make sure to reserve at Ramiro’s or you won’t get a table.
Taste the best of Portuguese beer, cocktails and more on a Lisbon Tipsy Tour
Address: Praça dos Restauradores 79 80, 1250-188
Open: Daily 12 pm - 11 pm
Just a stone’s throw from the Elevador da Glória, a stop on our Lisbon Walking Tour, Pinóquio is a lovely seafood restaurant with a laid-back ambience and relaxed outdoor terrace. Its signature seafood paella is the standout dish, incorporating lobster, shrimps, clams, squid and monkfish for a rich and natural taste.
We recommend ordering single portions to sample a wider selection of the menu.
Enjoying traditional Portuguese cuisine in one of the best restaurants in Lisbon on our Lisbon Food Tour
It’s for good reason Lisbon is regarded as one of the best food cities in the world. The city’s food scene is as delicious as it is varied, and is bound to please the palate of even the most discerning of foodie travellers. If you’re visiting Lisbon, make sure to join our award-winning Lisbon Food Tour.
Or if you want to make the experience even more exclusive and enjoy the undivided attention of your local foodie guide upgrade to a Private Lisbon Food Tour.
Verified Writer
No headings found in content.
Lisbon, PortugalLet’s explore all of Lisbon’s hills together! The Portuguese capital isn’t just winding cobblestone streets and beautiful squares, it’s also the second oldest city in Europe with centuries of history to uncover. Join us as we take you back in time to explore the best bits of the city, all the while hearing stories, facts, and legends that bring Portuguese culture to life. Your local guide will lead you around four of the city’s most bustling neighbourhoods including Chiado, Bairro Alto, Baixa, and Alfama.
Over two hours you and a group of fellow adventurers will discover 3000 years of Lisbon’s history and loads of hidden gems. Our route takes you to the viewpoint of Santa Justa where you’ll witness jaw-dropping views of Lisbon. We also pass the oldest cafe in the city as well as Bertrand bookshop, the longest operating bookshop in the world! Along the way you’ll learn about the devastating earthquake that rocked the city over two hundred years ago and brought the Royal Palace crashing to the ground. You’ll also be immersed in the birthplace of Fado, a local musical tradition, developed over centuries in the tabernas and back alleys of Alfama.
Make the most of your time in Lisbon and let us show memorable sights and tell you the fascinating stories behind them. Our guides will answer your burning questions, show you the prime selfie spots, and give you insider tips for the best recommendations in the city.
4.93(189)Lisbon, PortugalYou might have heard of the “Seven Wonders of the World” but did you know this phrase also applies to food? Try three of the seven wonders of Portuguese cuisine on our Lisbon Food Tour where you’ll taste your way through the historic Baixa neighbourhood.
A local guide will take you and a group of fellow foodies to three of the city’s most delicious eateries to try traditional petiscos and drinks. Tantalise your taste buds with Portuguese presunto, chourico, and seafood, all perfectly paired with four local beverages. You’ll try the country’s favourite drink, Ginjinha, a traditional liqueur. You’ll also get the chance to indulge in the flavours of local wines including the iconic vinho verde or “green wine”. And of course, no tasting is complete without a sweet treat. To end your tour you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth with a classic dessert before continuing the night with your newfound friends.
What are you waiting for? Eat like a local and book our Lisbon Food Tour today.
5(604)
Lisbon, PortugalYou might have heard of the “Seven Wonders of the World” but did you know this phrase also applies to food? Try three of the seven wonders of Portuguese cuisine on our Lisbon Food Tour where you’ll taste your way through the historic Baixa neighbourhood.
A local guide will take you and a group of fellow foodies to three of the city’s most delicious eateries to try traditional petiscos and drinks. Tantalise your taste buds with Portuguese presunto, chourico, and seafood, all perfectly paired with four local beverages. You’ll try the country’s favourite drink, Ginjinha, a traditional liqueur. You’ll also get the chance to indulge in the flavours of local wines including the iconic vinho verde or “green wine”. And of course, no tasting is complete without a sweet treat. To end your tour you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth with a classic dessert before continuing the night with your newfound friends.
What are you waiting for? Eat like a local and book our Lisbon Food Tour today.
4.97(203)
Lisbon, PortugalThe hills in Lisbon are no joke so it’s best to stay hydrated with the Lisbon Tipsy Tour. Forget about a mundane walking tour— this is where history meets a night out on the town. Meet fellow travellers from around the world while exploring Lisbon’s bustling nightlife with a local, expert guide.
We’ll kick off the tour at Largo do Carmo where we’ll introduce you to the darker side of Lisbon’s history. You’ll hear a dramatic and bloody love story between a Portuguese prince and a Spanish lady of the court. After such a riveting retelling you’ll deserve a drink–or four, so we’ll head into Bairro Alto to discover some local, trendy bars. Start the night with a refreshing drink before breaking the ice over more twisted and fascinating tales. You’ll hear scandalous stories you won’t hear on your standard walking tour, including facts about Lisbon’s naughty past that will make you gasp.
As the adventure continues, we’ll visit some of the most sought-after bars in the city including the only one that serves a one-of-a-kind shot you can only find there. If you’re still thirsty for more you can get more shots in exchange for giving up your bra—yes you’ve heard that right. A bra for shots? It’s a win-win! You’ll also try a long drink featuring bitter almond liquor and other classic Portuguese shots. Learn about the origin stories of locally loved drinks all the while discovering Lisbon’s hidden gems. Still thirsty? The tour might be over, but the night is still young. Take to the streets and continue exploring Lisbon’s nightlife with your newfound friends.
Forget the standard boring walking tour. Learn about history all the while sipping on tasty, local drinks because let’s be honest, if you’re going to do a tour you might as well do it tipsy.
4.98(205)