The Best Middle Eastern Food in Lisbon

The Best Middle Eastern Food in Lisbon

If you ever want an absolute treat of a night out in Lisbon, head to any of the many Middle Eastern restaurants scattered around the city.

The cuisines range all the way from inexpensive, kiosk style diners to full service dining experiences with quality to match. So whether you’re strolling the alleyways of Bairro Alto at 3am in need of a quick snack, or looking for somewhere to treat your partner to a night out — Middle Eastern food in Lisbon is there for all occasions.

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

Here are some of the best Middle Eastern food experiences to be had in the Portuguese capital!

Muito Bey in Lisbon

Muito Bey is my favorite new discovery in the city. I found it one evening while giving myself a bit of a free guided walking tour through parts of the southern areas that I’ve not explored before; upon walking the famous pink street near Chiado I was lead to this Lebanese gem.

Let me start by saying that Muito Bey isn’t cheap, which is something I think many of us have subconsciously come to expect from Lebanese food in European cities.

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

The menu is specialized and was created to perfection by a passionate Lebanese chef, who you can ask to meet while in the restaurant if you so desire. Most of the menu is friendly to vegans by default.

It’s a tapas style menu and you’ll need around three plates per person to get the full experience. I dined here with a friend and together we shared the eggplant, falafel, hummus, potatoes, tabbouleh, pita and beans.

This was the best meal I’ve had in Lisbon. I’ll leave it at that.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday TO Sunday – 12pm to 12am

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

METRO STATION: Cais do Sodre

Mezze in Lisbon

Another wonderful Middle Eastern restaurant adopting the tapas style menu is Mezze.

It’s a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food fusion, with flavors beyond what you’d usually expect from both cuisines.

Mezze is best experienced at a table of two or more diners; basically you should order one of everything and feast the night away.

Mezze in Lisbon – by Mezze – Uploaded by them

If you find the multitude of dish options overwhelming they also do nightly set menus whereby the chef will decide on what is put in front of you.

Mezze is almost always full, I recommend making a booking if there are more than two of you. Alternatively expect around a 15 minute wait upon arrival.

Again, most of the menu is suitable for vegans and gluten free eaters by default. The beauty of Middle Eastern cuisine is the amount of plant based ingredients that are used to create each dish.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday TO Saturday – 12:30pm to 3pm // 7pm to 10pm

ADDRESS: Rua Ângela Pinto, 40D 22/23, 1900-069 Lisboa, Portugal

METRO STATION: Alameda

Yallah in Lisbon

I wandered into Yallah grumpy and hungry after a terrible experience in a Ramen bar not far away. You’ll find it on the main outskirts of Bairro Alto, within walking distance of all the bars and restaurants.

Yallah quickly turned my mood around with their simple and delicious Middle Eastern menu options.

Yallah – by Yallah – Sourced from their website

Everything you know and love about this cuisine is made to perfection here; falafel, baba ganoush, pita wraps, fresh salads.

The restaurant is compact in nature and best for diners in two or less. One of the most ideal places in Lisbon in which to dine alone with a book.

If you do plan on dining here in a larger group, booking is essential.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday TO Sunday – 12pm to 11:30pm

ADDRESS: Rua do Loreto 54, 1200-242 Lisboa, Portugal

METRO STATION: Cais do Sodre

Tantura in Lisbon

Tantura is near to Yallah, deeper into the actual streets of Bairro Alto .

Let’s start by saying it took two occasions of me showing up to this restaurants unannounced before I finally made a reservation. Walk-ins for dinner service are absolutely not possible here, one needs a reservation as the restaurant has become so popular it is always booked out.

Tantura in Lisbon – by Tantura – Uploaded by them

Tantura is fantastic and authentic Middle Eastern food made in a homestyle environment. The menu is packed with options for meat eaters and vegans alike. I recommend ending your meal with their halva dessert — you’re welcome.

Note: Most of the dishes in Tantura incorporate a lot of cilantro in their recipes. This is not always clear on the menu, so if you are one with the cilantro hating gene then be sure to tell this to your server upon arrival. Most of the dishes that include the ingredient can be done without it.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday TO Sunday – 6:30pm to 12am

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

METRO STATION: Cais do Sodre

Cafeh Tehran in Lisbon

Cafes Tehran has taken traditional Middle Eastern dishes and adjusted them to include Portuguese elements where possible. This means you can expect a lot of seafood on offer in this restaurant, as well as meaty kebabs and creative bakes.

The food is wonderful and a refreshing experience if you’ve only been eating at local Portuguese restaurants since you arrived.

Cafeh Tehran in Lisbon – by Cafeh Tehran – Sourced from their Facebook

Unlike most Middle Eastern restaurants in Lisbon, this one isn’t centered around sharing and tapas based dining. Each person will order their own main, but there are interesting starters that are good for sharing. The beetroot dip dish is great for tables of two or more!

Note that they close for business completely on Tuesdays. This is a great spot for late night dining in Lisbon, by the way!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Wednesday TO Monday – 12pm to 12am

ADDRESS: Praça das Flores 40, 1200-192 Lisboa, Portugal

METRO STATION: Rato