Photo: Contiki
Table of Contents
I don’t know about you, but every time I travel somewhere, I lose my sleep over what and where I will eat. And that’s what brings me here today, so you can discover the best food in Lisbon, stress-free. Once your food itinerary is set, you can then plan your 48 hours in Lisbon!
First things first, I will teach you a trick to identify what kind of food you might find in the different places I recommend to you. Take this as a language lesson:
- Tasca/Tasquinha – If there is a literal translation, I guess it means “no-frills eatery”, which just proves the theory of less is more. This is the holy grail of authentic and traditional food, and its environment agrees. Paper table cloths, menus on chalkboards, and a feeling that you just entered a place decorated by a Portuguese grandmother. The perfect example of “Don´t judge the book by its cover” because the food in these is the MVP of the city.
- Cervejaria – Ok, this one can be tricky! Literal translation is a brewery, which used to be its historical purpose, but today it’s seafood and beer’s best friend. So whether you’re looking for some fish, clams, or even shrimp, this is the kind of place to look for.
- Pastelaria – Did someone scream “pastries”? But if you think you’re entering a simple bakery, you are wrong. These are the headquarters of Portuguese daily life! This is where everyone starts their day. An espresso in one hand, a pastel de nata in the other, this is where you should head off when getting out of your bed.
Now, to help you start watering your mouth (and focus on this article), we need to answer the important question:
Image source:Contiki
What food is Lisbon famous for?
Let´s do it like Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, shall we?
Heads aka Starters
Ameijoas à Bulhão Pato
The party you want to be invited to. Fresh clams, olive oil, white wine, and cilantro. All of this soaked in a crispy bread to mop it up!
Where should I go?
- Cervejaria Ramiro: A culinary temple in Lisbon, world-famous for serving the best and freshest seafood in town. After feasting at there, you are in the right place to explore some of Lisbon’s hidden gems.
Pastéis de Bacalhau
The perfect definition of a creamy interior and a crispy exterior. A mixture of shredded salted cod, mashed potatoes, onions, parsley, and eggs shaped into an oval and deep-fried until golden. After getting one you’re ready for your photoshoot in Lisbon’s most Instagrammable spots!
Where should I go?
Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau: even though you can find this golden treasure all over town, this house gives it a twist and adds the richness of the Portuguese Queijo da Serra (mountain cheese).
Caldo Verde
THE Portuguese soup. You can count on it in local festivities, after hours at weddings, or even Sunday family lunches. Picture this: a creamy potato base filled with shredded Portuguese kale (that gives the name to the soup). The star? A slice of chouriço that gives its smoky, paprika-rich oils.
Where should I go?
A Merendeira: in the heart of town is, in the opinion of many, a true Tasca. The bucket list menu of Portuguese classic comfort food that will for sure make you think of moving to the country.
Shoulders aka Main Dishes
Bacalhau à Brás
One of my ultimate favorite ways to eat this fish! The cod is hugged by a tangle of super-thin, golden fried potato sticks on a cloud of soft, scrambled eggs.
Where should I go?
Casa do Bacalhau: aka House of Cod, is not your average restaurant! Set in an 18th-century restored palace on the riverfront, you are set to taste the best codfish of your life.
Sardinhas Assadas
Straight from the sea to your plate! These sardines are the rockstar of all the festivities in Portugal.
Where should I go?
O Tachadas: the reliable friend you go for quality and quantity all in one! This gem offers you a full menu on Portuguese dishes and all of this at an affordable price!
Povo à Lagareiro
By far my favourite way to eat octopus! Bathing in a pool of olive oil and garlic with some smacked golden potatoes… you get the picture already don’t you?
Where should I go?
O Velho Eurico: My recommendation? Book in advance! This restaurant holds together all the secrets of Portugal and brings them to your table so they can steal your heart. The old tavern feeling, the chalkboard menu and the amazing vibe is gonna make you book a second go!
Cozido à Portuguesa
Why choose one meat when you can have them all together? That’s the magic of this dish! With some cabbage and potatoes on the side you’ll have all the micros you need to survive for 2 weeks!
Where should I go?
Solar dos Presuntos: 1974! That’s the year this place opened! But don’t get fooled that this is just another restaurant… this is a landmark and has hosted people like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham! The place where you should go for local dishes and a sophisticated atmosphere.
Knees aka Snacks
Prego
Picture this, a juicy steak in a bread… that is literally it! Sounds simple? I promise you’ll go for seconds.
Where should I go?
Rui dos Pregos: one of the locals go to for pregos… that explains why it’s part of its name! You can find several of these all over town and if you have a problem with the language barrier, just show them a picture of a prego and you’ll be fine!
Bifana
This time you make your bread special by adding the famous pork stew! White wine, garlic and bay leaf as the pork companions and voilà! You’re good to go!
Where should I go?
As Bifanas do Afonso: expect no frills, counter service, 3€ sandwiches and a feeling of comfort after visiting this temple!
Sandes de Leitão
Another sandwich but this time with rusted sucking pig! Slowly cooked so that the meat is tender and the skin crispy making it the best sandwich you’ll ever try.
Where should I go?
Afonso dos Leitões: can we already accept that any restaurant with a food word in its name makes it the king of making it? This is no exception, this holds the crown for the pig slow cooking so don’t forget to make a bow.
Salgados
Three words to describe it: fried, delicious, cheap! These snacks are the way to anyone’s heart. You can find them in different shapes but they all promise to give you a great time. With meat, fish or even vegetarian… pick your poison.
Where should I go?
Padaria Portuguesa is a chain all over town and translates to Portuguese Bakery for a reason. This is the safe place of the Portuguese, for breakfast, lunch or snack, they got your back.
Toes aka Dessert
Pastel de Nata
I don’t think these need much introduction, right? There’s 2 things people say to me when I say I’m from Portugal! I love Cristiano Ronaldo or I love Portuguese Tarts! Crispy outside, creamy inside! The Cristiano Ronaldo of desserts indeed.
Where should I go?
Pastéis de Belém: the OG of these golden treasures making them since 1837! The legend says only 3 to 7 people know the secret recipe at the same time! They produce more than 20 thousand every day but I promise they’ll keep one for you! Since you’re in Belém, why not also get the train and explore more of the coastal towns of Lisbon! Cascais is the number one to go where you can explore the street art while indulging in your pastel!
Ovos moles
If there’s something Portuguese people love it’s egg yolks! And this is by far the best way to have them. A sugary yolk mix on a host wafer shell… sounds weird? I promise it is worth trying.
Where should I go?
Confeitaria Nacional: started in 1873 as the supplier for the Royal Family and nowadays serves all of us kings and queens amazing pastries from all over the country!
Queijada
To everyone’s surprise… more eggs! But this time mixed with cheese and flour giving it its name (queijo=queijada). Creamy middle, slightly crispy outside… the perfect combo to have with your morning coffee.
Where should I go?
Queijadas de Belém: another Pastry shop to add to your list! A cozy welcoming place where you can taste all that Portugal has to offer and in particular the amazing queijadas.
Arroz Doce
It translates to sweet rice and that’s basically what it is! A creamy rice pudding usually served with some lemon zest or cinnamon. A 10/10 desert to make your day happier.
Where should I go?
Tasca da Esquina (Campo de Ourique): a one size fits all with amazing Portuguese starters, mains and of course desserts, including one of the best arroz doce in town!
So many options, so many places… and the question pops up:
What is the best street food in Lisbon?
The right answer is everything you can get your hands dirty with! I´m talking about the pastéis de bacalhau, salgados, the different sandwiches that I listed, and of course the pastel de nata! And where can you find all this in the same place? Have you ever heard of the Time Out Market in Lisbon?
This is the place you should go for a trendy approach to all the national dishes! The market’s energy reflects Lisbon’s status as an open and welcoming city. To dive deeper into its inclusive vibe, from bars to clubs and events, check out this LGBTQIA+ travel guide to Lisbon.
Easy as that, you now have a bucket list for eating your way through Lisbon. No stress, no getting lost in endless options, just a clear path to the food you can’t miss out when in town. From iconic pastries to humble tascas, these stops will let you taste Lisbon’s soul one bite at a time. And now that you’ve got another reason to visit this delicious city, the only question left is: what’s your excuse for not booking that trip yet?
