10 Great Restaurants to Eat Sardines in Lisbon

10 Great Restaurants to Eat Sardines in Lisbon

Grilled sardines are my guilty pleasure. They also happen to be one of the most affordable meals to eat in Portugal, as they are caught in abundance in the bordering oceans.

The traditional way to eat sardines would be on Portuguese bread, with a side of boiled potatoes, bell peppers and onions. A side salad might also be added.

by Elle Hughes – Unsplash

Some restaurants in Lisbon will serve their sardines as is; if you want the proper Portuguese experience request that the above elements be included. You’ll get impressed looks from the servers who will take you for a seasoned sardine eater.

1. Lisboa Tu e Eu in Lisbon

At first glance one might assume Lisboa Tu e Eu to be a Mexican restaurant of sorts. The bright colors and street side tables give it that Mexican street food feel.

This is actually a really nice Portuguese street food joint! They serve their sardines in threes, along with a pile of grilled onions and two potatoes. I enjoy the dish with a side of their octopus salad.

by Duarte Briz – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday — 12pm to 3pm // 7:30pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: R. da Escola Politécnica 257, 1250-096 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Terreiro do Paço

2. Sol e Pesca in Lisbon

Sol e Pesca is actually a retail store where one can buy an array of traditional canned Portuguese-style fish.

You’ll see a lot of stores selling these rectangular tins throughout the country. They make for great souvenirs and/or gifts to take to loved ones after your trip.

They have a dine in space where we eat some of the freshest fish in town. To my delight, the sardines are served on bread with olive oil and green peppers.

Sol e Pesca in Lisbon – by Sol e Pesca – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 2am

ADDRESS: R. Nova do Carvalho 44, 1200-019 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Cais do Sodre

3. A Parreirinha do Paraíso in Lisbon

Upon complaining to a local friend about the lack of authenticity in the ways some restaurants serve their sardines, I was directed to A Parreirinha do Paraíso just outside of the Alfama.

Without having to ask, my plate of perfectly grilled sardines was set in front of me, with some boiled potatoes already included. Shortly thereafter a plate of salad and green peppers was placed to my left, and a basket of fresh Portuguese rolls to my right. I highly recommend this spot!

by bm.iphone – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday — 11:30am to 10:30pm

ADDRESS: Rua do Paraíso 40C, 1100-395 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Lisboa Santa Apolónia

4. Restaurante Floresta das Escadinhas in Lisbon

Restaurante Floresta das Escadinhas keeps it simple. There are just a few dishes on the menu, one of them being sardines.

I would dine here with a friend and split the sardine main, and calamari main. This spot is always filled by locals who know the the quality of the fish is unmatched.

Take note of their specific opening hours! There are only four hours during the day during which one can dine here.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday — 12pm to 4pm

ADDRESS: R. de Santa Justa 3, 1100-213 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Rossio Lisboa

5. Último Porto in Lisbon

Something to keep in mind when craving sardines in Lisbon is that they are not a standard menu item at every seafood restaurant. Up market seafood restaurants might actually avoid sardines as they carry the perception of being a “cheap food”.

Último Porto is a spot right on the water’s edge where sardines are always on the menu! What’s more, they are served traditionally with the potatoes, peppers, salad and bread.

A beautiful spot for lunch overlooking the water.

Último Porto in Lisbon – by Último Porto – Sourced from their Facebook

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday — 8am to 5pm

ADDRESS: R. Gen. Gomes Araújo 1, 1350-352 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Santos

6. Alfama Grill in Lisbon

You’ll need to have some patience with Alfama Grill. Because of its name and location, its become one of the top spots for seafood in Lisbon’s most historic district.

The sardines can take a good hour to get to your table, but they’re so delicious you’ll quickly forget you waited at all. They are served with just potatoes, so opt for any side of your choice.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday — 12pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: R. da Regueira 26, 1100-435 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Lisboa Santa Apolónia

7. Pateo 13 in Lisbon

Pateo 13 is also in the Alfama. It’s the beautiful outdoor terrace in one of the quiet village squares.

Their sardine plates are also served with potatoes, but they will replace them with fries if you prefer. They will also do sharing platters of sardines for tables with more than one person looking to eat the dish.

Pateo 13 in Lisbon – by Pateo 13 – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday — 12pm to 2pm // 7pm to 10:30pm

ADDRESS: Calçadinha de Santo Estêvão 13, 1100-219 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Terreiro do Paço

8. Mar ao Carmo in Lisbon

Sardines in the city center? Mar ao Carmo near Bairro Alto is the spot.

You’ll actually choose your fish yourself from the raw seafood buffet that sits on ice at all times in the restaurant. You’ll be able to judge the freshness and quality of your fish prior to ordering.

More than this, you’ll also be able to dictate exactly how your fish is prepared to best suit your taste.

Mar ao Carmo in Lisbon – by Mar ao Carmo – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

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

ADDRESS: Largo do Carmo 21, 1200-092 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

9. Aqui Há Peixe in Lisbon

Aqui Há Peixe is a Portuguese and Brazilian fusion kitchen, making it one of the best places to sample diverse seafood dishes in Lisbon.

This is another spot where I would encourage you to dine with a friend or two, and sample more than just the great sardines. They do paella, calamari, prawn pastas, mussel pots, Brazilian salads and even the occasional blow fish.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday — 7pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: R. Trindade 18A, 1200-468 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

by Jos Dielis – Wikimedia Commons

10. Sardines in Cais do Sodre near Lisbon

While knowing where to look can absolutely lead one to great sardines in Lisbon, the best of the best remain in Cascais.

This is the beach village a short journey outside of the city center, accessible by train from Cais do Sodre station.

Cascais is filled with beaches and restaurants spanning a broad range of cuisines. Being a fishing village, the seafood restaurants are superior; and just about all of them have sardines as a main component on their menus.