The Best Israeli Restaurants in Lisbon

The Best Israeli Restaurants in Lisbon

The Portuguese capital has no shortage of Middle Eastern food, but Israeli cuisine in particular? Slightly harder to hunt down.

Israeli food is unique to regular Middle Eastern cuisine as it derives a lot of influence from Moroccan Jewish traditions. It also embraces a lot more turkey meat than other cuisines of this region.

Tantura in Lisbon – by Tantura – Sourced from their Facebook

Because of Israel’s location, the food is also heavily influenced by Mediterranean cooking.

As of today I only know of three spots to eat authentic Israeli in Lisbon, and I’ll tell you of each if you read on.

Joshua’s Shoarma Grill in Lisbon

One of Lisbon’s Israeli food spots is actually split into seven. Joshua’s Shoarma Grill is a small Israeli eatery with seven branches situated in different neighborhoods in the city.

This particular one that I visited was inside of the Colombo Shopping Centre. If you want to shop gentrified retail or watch a new release film in the cinema, this is where you should come to do so.

It’s a very small, kiosk-style restaurant with a simple menu offering Israeli meats, salads, falafel and turkey!

Joshua’s Shoarma Grill in Lisbon – by Joshua’s Shoarma Grill – Sourced from their Facebook

You can have your meal in a shawarma or on a plate with side salad fries. They will also top any meat dish with a fried egg; I am still uncertain as to whether this is usually done in Israel, or if they are simply adopting elements of Portuguese cooking to be more inclusive.

The other locations of Joshua’s are far more central. There are two in the city center near Bairro Alto; one above the Alfama, and another few up the north coast toward the Lisbon Aquarium.

Joshua’s Shoarma Grill in Lisbon – by Joshua’s Shoarma Grill – Sourced from their Facebook

At Joshua’s you’ll easily eat for under €10. They might often run out of ingredients, they may have more negative Google reviews than positive, but it’s Israeli food in the middle of Portugal — let’s be grateful, shall we?

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday — 10am to 12am

Address: 1500-392 Lisbon, Portugal

Metro STATION: Colégio Militar/Luz

InkFarmFood in Lisbon

Now for some Israeli food that I absolutely couldn’t fault even if I wanted to; InkFarmFood is changing the face of vegetarian Israeli cuisine in Lisbon as we know it.

It’s in the city center, just slightly west of Chiado and Bairro Alto. It is though that Madonna lived right here during her many years being a Lisbon resident; the fado venue she would frequent is in Bairro Alto just nearby. As far as Middle Eastern/Mediterranean dining goes, this spot is definitely off the beaten track.

InkFarmFood in Lisbon – by InkFarmFood – Uploaded by them

As mentioned, the entire menu is vegetarian. So no, you won’t eat any traditional turkey from here, but you will be treated to a plethora of plant based Israeli dishes.

I initially visited here while on the hunt for the best falafel in Lisbon. While this may have been some of the best falafel in Europe, the rest of the menu was equally as mind-blowing it was hard to pay attention.

Your server, or the owner (depending on who is around), will take time to properly go through the entire menu with you, explaining what dishes to order if you’re used to certain flavors in regular Israeli restaurants.

InkFarmFood in Lisbon – by InkFarmFood – Uploaded by them

If you’re dining with at least one other person I recommend just handing all power over to the house and letting them treat you to their choice of dishes and small plates. They’re very good at portioning and this way you’ll get to try a bit of everything.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Saturday to Thursday — 12pm to 10pm

Address: R. Mal. Saldanha 6, 1200-109 Lisboa, Portugal

Metro STATION: Cais do Sodré

Tantura in Lisbon

And now for the real showstopper: an Israeli restaurant brought to Lisbon via a whirlwind of a love story.

Tantura is owned by a couple named Itamar and Elad. Itamar grew up in Israel in a small village called Tantura, he later relocated to Tel Aviv where he met Elad and the two fell in love.

They both had a passion for food, and decided they would cater their own wedding. They spent three days cooking for the feast, and it was so impressive that after the celebration catering orders did not stop rolling in.

Tantura in Lisbon – by Tantura – Sourced from their Facebook

They honeymooned in Lisbon, and become completely besotted with the idea of living here. This is what birthed Tantura; Lisbon’s most authentic, most ambient and most impressive Israeli restaurant right in the heart of Bairro Alto.

I attempted to eat here twice and was rejected both times before I eventually made an actual reservation for an up coming Friday. Every single night at Tantura is fully booked; it’s almost comical arriving at the door and seeing the host’s sympathetic face before she’s even uttered the words “we’re full”.

Tantura in Lisbon – by Tantura – Sourced from their Facebook

What to eat? Everything. Come in a group and fill the table with the tapas portions of all their best dishes. This is the authentic Tantura experience and also what’s better than replacing cutlery with bread?

It’s always been important to Itamar and Elad that, even in the wake of immense success, their food always remain affordable and reasonably priced. So it is.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday to Sunday — 6:30pm to 12am

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

Metro STATION: Rossio-Lisboa

In Lisbon, one uncovers hidden cuisine gems from around the world simply by wandering the streets and observing. There is no better way to see this city than via a free guided walking tour — book today!