10 Best Restaurants in Lisbon

10 Best Restaurants in Lisbon

Lisbon has an outstanding culinary scene all round. Whether you like food from the far east, far west or local dishes, you’ll need only use Google Maps to find one usually within walking distance from wherever you are.

Here are ten great spots to look out for in and around the city center.

1. Muito Bey in Lisbon

Craving Lebanese food one evening, a friend and I walked down toward Cais do Sodre to the highly acclaimed Muito Bey.

It lived up to the hype, with a menu of small traditional plates made to absolute perfection.

Muito Bey in Lisbon – by Muito Bey – Uploaded by them

We had the falafel, potatoes, hummus, muhammara, babaganoush, pita and salad. The chef came to make sure we were happy with everything, and I could have kissed his feet! Superb!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday — 12pm to 3:30pm // 7pm to 12am

ADDRESS: R. Moeda 8, 1200-275 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Cais do Sodre

2. Downunder by Justin Jennings in Lisbon

Justin Jennings recently opening up his newest Lisbon based Australian fine dining restaurant right here in the city center. He too will come out to see that everyone is enjoying their meals.

For most people, this is the first place that they will try kangaroo meat for the first time. The crocodile salad is also a popular dish.

It goes without saying that this probably isn’t the spot to take your vegan partner.

Downunder by Justin Jennings – by Downunder by Justin Jennings – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday — 12pm to 3pm // 7pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: R. dos Industriais 21, 1200-685 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Santos

3. Ramiro in Lisbon

Ramiro has ruled the Lisbon seafood scene since the 1950s. It’s a three story restaurant where fresh seafood is brought in daily direct from the harbor.

Come for giant crabs, grilled sardines and king prawns. They even do their own rendition of the traditional Portuguese bifana sandwich!

Sample the local green wine with your meals.

The queues here on weekends can have wait times as long as an hour or more. Arrive early!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday — 12pm to 12:30am

ADDRESS: Av. Alm. Reis 1, 1150-038 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Intendente

4. Tantura in Lisbon

Tantura remains one of the best restaurants in Lisbon; the fact that you can’t ever eat here without a reservation is testament to that.

Owned by Israeli lovers who honeymooned in Lisbon and then never left, Tantura is authentic Israeli cuisine with a homemade essence to each dish. The menu was personally curated by the owners, who were brought together through their love of cooking a few years ago.

This is a great dining spot the start your evening in Bairro Alto!

Tantura in Lisbon – by Tantura – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday — 6:30pm to 2am

ADDRESS: R. do Trombeta 1 D, 1200-471 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

5. Come Prima in Lisbon

“Imaginative Italian” is the unofficial title of Come Prima Restaurant. It sits down the coast of Lisbon, en route toward Cascais.

The menu might look like a pizza and pasta party, but once the food arrives you’ll see how everything takes a slightly creative flair. The tomato soup is a wonderful starter dish!

I don’t recommended driving to Come Prima if you can help it. There is little to no parking at the restaurant or on the surrounding streets; Uber/taxi would be the best way to get there.

Come Prima in Lisbon – by Come Prima – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday — 12pm to 3pm // 7pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: R. do Olival 258, 1200-744 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Alcantara Mar

6. Needle in a Haystack in Lisbon

Up the opposite side of the coast is the new hot-spot in Lisbon. Needle in a Haystack is where everyone wants to be for drinks and dinner, six days a week.

You will be astounded at how every employee at this establishment genuinely cares for the optimum dining experience of the customer. It’s a work of art. Reservations are required, though you just might get lucky if you’re walking through the Alfama one evening and decide to enter on a whim.

Needle in a Haystack in Lisbon – by Needle in a Haystack – Sourced from their Facebook

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Wednesday to Sunday — 7pm to 12am

ADDRESS: R. Jardim do Tabaco 3, 1100-286 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Lisboa Santa Apolónia

7. El Clandestino in Lisbon

Mexican food has been done in Lisbon, but not always done well.

El Clandestino has taken traditional Mexican dining and combined some up market techniques to make the experience more sought after. This isn’t the most affordable Mexican dinner you’ll have in Europe, but it will undoubtably be one of the best.

Let your waiter give their meal recommendation based on your favorite form of meat.

El Clandestino in Lisbon – by El Clandestino – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 7pm to 2am

ADDRESS: R. da Rosa 321, 1250-096 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Restauradores

8. Sol Dourado in Lisbon

It’s very difficult to state which local, traditional restaurant is the best of the best in Lisbon. Portuguese restaurants are so similar in quality, hospitality and love of food that they rarely flounder when it comes to service.

Sol Dourado was a memorable local dining experience for me. I loved the warm, street seating under the lanterns, the impeccable and attentive service, & the seafood platter for two.

You want bacalhau? Or cozido? They’ve got it!

Sol Dourado in Lisbon – by Sol Dourado – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 12am

ADDRESS: R. do Jardim do Regedor 19-25, 1100-570 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Restauradores

9. Alma in Lisbon

Those looking for traditional cuisine on the fine dining spectrum should head over to Alma in Chiado.

This Michelin Star spot takes all of the classic dishes of the country and transforms them into edible art. If you’re a fan of culinary arts then this is an experience not to be missed.

Booking is essential and needs to be done online.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday — 12:30pm to 3:30pm // 7pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: R. Anchieta 15, 1200-224 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Cais do Sodre

10. Tamarind – Restaurante Indiano in Lisbon

Finally, an Indian dream for a wholesome meal in the Portuguese capital.

I’m a lover of good curry and any excuse to replace cutlery with bread. Tamarind is one of the best places to enjoy both of these things, and one really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

I meant this literally, because Tamarind has recently incorporated an Italian sector into their kitchen, creating a unique fusion of these two cuisines under one roof.

Tamarind in Lisbon – by Tamarind – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 3pm // 6:30pm to 12am

ADDRESS: Rua da Glória 43, 1250-115 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Restauradores