Lisbon’s best restaurants (according to a local food blogger)
There's nothing worse than finishing a long day of touristing, and wondering, "where are we going to eat dinner?" Sure, you could check Google Maps for highly-rated restaurants in Lisbon, or try your luck with the Fork app, but wouldn't you rather a tried-and-true recommendation for the best restaurants in Lisbon from your (hopefully) favorite food blogger in Lisbon?
Here's a big caveat: Lisbon is busy, and the tourists are hungry, y'all. You can't just walk into a restaurant and get a seat. (And if you can, it's probably not that great of a restaurant.) When you book your trip to Lisbon, take some time to make dinner reservations to discover why Taste Atlas just named Portuguese cuisine the 4th out of the 100 best cuisines in the world!
The Best Restaurants in Lisbon
A complete list of Lisbon's best restaurants would overwhelm anyone. The culinary creativity, cultural fusion, and incredible flavor profiles of local products mean there's no shortage of amazing places to eat. So instead, I whittled this list down to 10 restaurants that I keep going back to. While this city is a melting pot with tons of international options, I'm focusing my list of Lisbon's best restaurants on Portuguese flavors and fusions.
A Cevicheria
Chef Kiko Martins is the mastermind behind this incredible Peruvian restaurant with a Portuguese flair. You can't miss the restaurant as you walk the streets of the famous Príncipe Real neighborhood— those waiting in line spill onto the sidewalk, and a giant octopus hangs over the bar. A Cevicheria doesn't accept reservations, so go early, or prepare to wait. You can order a pisco sour from the widow, so the wait never feels too long!
Bichomau
Translated directly, bicho mau means "bad animal." But it's used more as "boogeyman." The concept at Bichomau is about cooking nose-to-tail and challenging tradition— without being afraid of the "boogeyman" that comes with labeling.
Case in point? The first dish we tried was a spider crab croquette— a seafood-inspired take on the traditional Portuguese meat croquette.
The owner, Tomás, spends time with every table— recommending wines, explaining the dishes, and mitigating any allergies and food preferences. When I spilled one of the courses on my white pants, he even supplied stain remover!
I recommend the tasting menu, which includes six of the restaurant's most popular dishes. You can choose 5 savory courses + dessert or 6 savory courses. (If the banana brulee is on the menu when you go, do yourself a favor and opt for 5 + dessert!)
The atmosphere is intimate, with limited seating, so be sure to make reservations!
Casa Tradição
The restaurant translates to "traditional house" but Casa Tradição is anything but. Would a traditional Portuguese restaurant serve "Pastel de Nata de Bacalhau"? No, they would not. You know pasteis de nata as a sweet dessert, but this creamy tart with smoked codfish is a perfect way to start your meal.
And let's talk about their "Pão de Ló e Queijo da Serra." Pão de ló is a fluffy egg-based dessert (think soufflé's cousin), but this version uses Portugal's award-winning Queijo da Serra cheese as a foam with Pennyroyal.
Order à la carte or trust the chef for a 9-course, 70€ menu.
Frangasqueira Nacional
On the days Frangasqueria Nacional serves dinner, it opens at 6 pm. People start queuing long before that. With approximately 10 seats, it's a come-early and expect to wait kind of place. But trust me when I say the wait will be worth it. Meat is sold by the kilo, or you can opt for one of their set menus, which include chicken, ribs, and sausage. The meat is perfectly cooked, but for me, the highlight was the sides. Holy moly. Come hungry and try them all— especially the mashed potatoes.
The chef/ owner is a spitfire, and made sure our sides never went cold and that we didn't go hungry. She even insisted that we order a plate of fruit for dessert. (Despite my strong opinion that fruit is not dessert, this was the perfect end to an incredible dining experience.)
This spot is cash only, so be sure to visit an ATM ahead of time.
LOCO
You'd be LOCO not to try this Michelin-starred restaurant!
The 1-starred restaurant takes zero waste to heart, offering an ever-changing menu featuring local, micro-seasonal products. The 16-course menu is 160€ without wine pairings or 250€ with wines. I've lived in Portugal for more than four years, and the sommelier surprised me with wines I loved from regions I thought I didn't.
Mini Bar
Created by José Avillez, the Michelin-starred chef of Belcanto, Mini Bar is an innovative speakeasy-style restaurant concept where nothing is quite as it seems. From entering through a speakeasy-style door to post-dessert treats, Mini Bar is a fun choice for a special night out.
From long-stemmed roses with surprises inside to popping El Bulli olives that pay tribute to Avillez's mentor, Chef Ferran Adrià, the food is delicious, and the presentation is unforgettable. The tasting menu is 92.50€ per person, and includes 12 dishes.
Ritalinos
If you like traditional cuisine cooked to perfection with a side of Portuguese hospitality, you'll love Ritalinos. Owner Luís has a long history with the location— before he turned it into a restaurant, it was a snack bar run by his parents. (You can see photos from yesteryear at the front counter when you're paying!)
The menu changes regularly, based on what's in season, but a few notable menu items include:
- Peixinhos da Horta (literal translation: little fishes of the garden) - tempura fried green beans
- Salmon - I didn't think I liked salmon until I tried Ritalinos. Now, I order it every time it's on the menu!
- Baby squid - The tiny, grilled squid are so tender
- Anything else on the menu! I've never tried anything here I didn't love!
Don't forget to try their world-famous chocolate mousse to finish off the best Portuguese dining experience!
Ritalinos is open for lunch Monday - Friday and dinner on Thursday and Friday, and you'll need reservations to secure your spot!
Taberna Sal Grosso
This tiny, traditional, affordable Portuguese restaurant in Alfama is a must-visit spot— if you can snag one of the few tables! Seating is limited to 2-hour blocks, so make sure not to dilly-dally too much on your main courses, or you may miss dessert. Lucky for you, Taberna Sal Grosso just opened a second location in Sǎo Bento, doubling your chances to try this awesome restaurant!
The food is always incredible—I love their pork cheeks, migas, and bacalhau à brás.
And before you go, you're in for a special treat! The waiter always brings a surprise liquor at the end of the meal as a little digestivo!
Be sure to make reservations as early as possible, because they usually book up weeks in advance.
Terraço Editorial
Terraço Editorial is a rooftop restaurant with a view of the Santa Justa lift and the Carmo Convent. Their ribeye costs less than €18, but the view is priceless. The menu focuses on Portuguese gastronomy and enoculture. The first time I shared this spot on Instagram, I got a little bit of hate from locals who wanted to keep this rooftop a secret. But I've never been great at keeping my mouth shut, so you're welcome!
Zé da Mouraria
Traditional Portuguese food with Texas-sized portions! I visited with 3 friends, and we ordered one serving of the bacalhau à Zé da Mouraria, which comes with chickpeas. Even with 4 Texas-sized appetites, we didn't manage to finish it all!
Some of these restaurants are on The Fork app, where you can make reservations and even get discounts on meals. Sign up and save up to €50 on your second booking!:
1. Download the app here https://tfk.io/dwxk36h7 and set up your account.
2. Book your first restaurant with TheFork using code 82986092.
3. After your booking, you’ll earn 2000 Yums, loyalty points you can use for up to €50 off on your next eligible restaurant booking.
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