The 7 Best Restaurants In Lisbon

Choosing where to savor your next meal never gets boring in a city with an exploding culinary scene like Lisbon’s. From casual bites at the eateries in the Time Out Market to embarking on a fine dining adventure at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Alfama, Lisbon always delivers.

After one visit to the Portuguese capital, I knew it was time to investigate further and start operating some of my Lisbon food tours there. Before I could do that, I went on a journey sampling some dishes at some of the most highly regarded options to see what the fuss was about.

Since I couldn’t possibly include all of the best restaurants in Lisbon in one tour, I’ve compiled a collection of my all-time favorites for this comprehensive foodie guide for you to enjoy.

Belcanto

Photo credit: Belcanto

Belcanto isn’t just one of the city’s best Portuguese restaurants; it regularly ranks among the top fifty eateries on the planet. As such, there’s no better place to kick off this list than with this beloved eatery in the Chiado district.

Renowned chef José Avillez is at the helm of Belcanto, which has a stunning, ambient dining area. The interior has a mix of traditional and contemporary decor, with tall ceilings, massive windows, rustic brick features, and sophisticated furniture.

The team at Belcanto’s imaginative take on Portuguese food earned them two Michelin stars, so I was keen to sample as many dishes as I could. I opted for the tasting menu, which turned out to be an almost three-hour-long extravaganza of impeccably prepared food.

Every course was to die for, but the suckling pig was the highlight for me. Juicy, tender, and bursting with delicate flavor, the meat and its layer of crispy skin were sublime. What made it even tastier was the accompanying sharp orange peel puree and crunchy charred lettuce.

Belcanto (€€€€) – R. Serpa Pinto 10A, 1200-026 Lisboa – Portugal – Closed every Sunday and Monday, open every Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Taberna da Rua das Flores

Photo credit: Taberna da Rua das Flores

Taberna da Rua das Flores is a gorgeous tapas restaurant in the heart of the Chiado neighborhood. It’s nestled down a quiet side street, yet its low-key location has made this quaint tasca (a Portuguese word for a typical family-run tavern) even more popular among visitors to Lisbon.

This place charmed me from the second I walked inside. The antique-style furniture, patterned tiles, and cabinets filled with retro products transported me back to the early 1900s. There were less than ten tables up for grabs here, so I had a short wait ahead of me when I turned up.

When I got to my table, I overheard every other person ordering the razor clams and mackerel tartare, so I had to sample a small plate of each for myself. Both arrived in no time, and I quickly learned why they seemed to be so sought-after here.

The razor clams were particularly delectable. Their texture ranged from slightly chewy in parts to incredibly tender in others. Each bite brought with it a complex set of flavors that struck a mix of sweet and salty tones.

Their tartare was just as flavorsome. It consisted of Atlantic horse mackerel infused with an assortment of strong-tasting ingredients like lemon, ginger, red onion, and apple.

Although the mackerel was a little richer than I’d anticipated, I enjoyed how the acidity of the lemon and apple added a lightness to the dish. At the same time, the crisp taste of the onion and the hint of heat from the ginger gave it some extra punch.

Taberna da Rua das Flores (€€) – Rua das Flores 103, 1200-194 Lisboa – Portugal – Open every Monday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 11:30 pm and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Fogo de Chão

Due to the city’s location, Lisbon’s local fare is heavy on seafood, similar to the rest of the Portuguese cuisine. The last time I was here, I had a hankering for something meatier and found Fogo de Chão near Parque Eduardo VII. After a few too many servings of cod and sardines, the prospect of all-you-can-eat Brazilian meat was too good to resist!

It was super busy when I stopped by. Their modern but compact red, black, and white dining area was awash with customers tucking into unlimited helpings of various meat cuts and lining up at the huge salad bar. I wasn’t sure if I’d get a seat but swooped in just as another table left.

They had a couple of different buffet options, but I decided to go with the classic edition, which included sixteen different meats. As the staff members made their way around the restaurant, cutting sizable portions of South American meats, I tried to sample as many varieties as I could.

Two of the cuts were especially tasty: the pork neck and sirloin steak. Although lean, the pork neck was full of robust flavors and had a delightfully moist consistency. The perfectly pink steak was heavenly, with its intense beefy flavors and a pungent tinge of garlic.

While the meat naturally took center stage, the salad selection was also fantastic. To lighten the meal a little, I picked up sides of tart tomatoes, grilled cinnamon-topped pineapple, and crunchy cucumbers. Regrettably, I was far too full to try the black beans and croquettes!

Fogo de Chão (€€) – R. Martens Ferrão Nº28 A, 1050-160 Lisboa – Portugal – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Alma

Photo credit: Alma

Few restaurants in Lisbon are as prestigious and recognizable as Alma. As one of the Chiado district’s shining stars, Alma’s team of chefs has served up their Michelin star-winning takes on Portuguese and Asian cuisine to the likes of Anthony Bourdain.

Considering Alma’s a hotspot for fine dining, the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed and understated. Something about the brown and copped-toned furniture, stone pillars, and illuminated wine shelves gave the restaurant a warm and cozy vibe.

Two tasting menus were available, and I decided to stick to the standard six-course option. I couldn’t fault a single dish or any of the sommelier’s picks from the wine list, but there were a couple of stand-outs that have stuck with me ever since.

I had a particular fondness for the Alentejo-style pork. Alentejo is a nearby wine region that translates to beyond the Tagus River. This dish featured briny clams and succulent pork shoulder in a honey-like, citrussy sauce made from red peppers, garlic, and white wine.

In keeping with the wine-imbued pork, the sommelier suggested I team this with a glass of full-bodied Alentejo red. Its high tannins and fruity aromas elevated the mildness of the meat and had a lovely, almost spicy finish.

Alma (€€€€) – R. Anchieta 15, 1200-224 Lisboa – Portugal – Closed every Sunday and Monday, open every Tuesday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm and 7:00 pm to 12:00 am

Augusto Lisboa

Photo credit: Augusto Lisboa

Augusto Lisboa is one of my favorite places to go when I want to take a breather from traditional Portuguese food. This buzzing brunch spot is located in the heart of the historic Alfama neighborhood, though a second location has popped up in Belem in the last year.

I tend to prefer the original cafe in Alfama as it has more of a bohemian vibe. Inside is a quirky mix of Mediterranean tiling and decorative green plants contrasted with bright pink floors and vintage-inspired yellow seating.

Their menu is packed with breakfast and lunchtime classics, including some with a Portuguese twist, like bacalhau and avocado toast. When I visited, the loaded ham toast caught my eye. It arrived stacked high with toppings that looked almost too good to eat.   

This generous serving of sourdough toast was paired with tangy cream cheese made in-house, buttery scrambled eggs, and savory presunto ham. The meaty black olives and zingy tomato and garlic sauce made every bite even more satisfying.

Augusto Lisboa (€€) – R. de Santa M.nha 26, 1100-491 Lisboa – Portugal – Open every Monday from 11:00 am to 4:30 pm, every Tuesday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Prado

Photo credit: Prado

If there’s one Lisbon restaurant I’m eager to revisit next time I’m in town, it’s Prado in Alfama. I can’t rave about this place enough, from the creative seasonal menu and quality local produce to the vibrant ambiance and incredible staff.

Prado’s setting is stunning. Soaring white walls, sage green paneling, and sandy wood furniture make the entire dining area feel bright and airy. By chance, I was seated alongside the open kitchen, which meant I could watch the chefs at work while I was awaiting my food!

Because the menu changes depending on what’s in season, I had little to no idea what would be available when I finally made it here. After asking the waitress for her recommendations, I went for the butternut squash and the cockles, two of their most popular small plates.

Before visiting, I’d heard almost as much about their selection of natural wines as I did about the food. With the sommelier’s advice, I settled on the chardonnay. Although I was hesitant, as I’m not typically fond of this wine, I was pleasantly surprised by the soft oak and vanilla notes.

First up were the cockles. They had such a gentle flavor with a hint of nuttiness, intensified by the barbequed butter and bitter chard. Soon after, the creamy, sweet butternut squash arrived immersed in hazelnut-hued toasted butter and beautiful edible flowers.

Prado (€€) – Tv. das Pedras Negras 2, 1100-404 Lisboa – Portugal – Closed every Sunday and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm, and every Thursday to Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm

Sala de Corte

Photo credit: Sala de Corte

Sala de Corte is just a few minutes from the water’s edge in Cais de Sodre. This elegant spot is another great option if you’ve had your fill of seafood, as their menu is a big hit with meat lovers. There’s a clutch of meat-free options, but Sala de Corte primarily focuses on quality beef.

As soon as I walked in, I loved the atmosphere at Sala de Corte, which was somewhere between upscale and laidback. The decor consisted of brown leather seating, low-hanging copper light fittings, and moody black walls. I was seated outside in the stylish, fairy-light-filled patio area.

I knew pretty soon after I glanced over the menu that I was set on the surf and turf. Choosing the right steak cut proved to be challenging, but the Chateaubriand, akin to a tenderloin cut, sounded terrific. For some extra flavor, I added the scarlet prawns and some béarnaise sauce.

In all honesty, I never expected to find a steak this superb in a city famed for its oceanic offerings. It was cooked medium rare, just as I’d asked, and had a wonderfully subtle flavor and butter-soft texture compared to a traditional cut of beef.

Not to be overshadowed by the beef, the prawns sat on top of the steak, providing a refreshing, slightly smoky taste. Made with just the right amount of vinegar, tarragon, egg yolk, and white wine, the sharp and herby béarnaise sauce tied the entire dish together.

Sala de Corte (€€€) – Praça Dom Luís I 7, 1200-148 Lisboa – Portugal – Open every Monday to Thursday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 12:00 am, every Friday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 1:00 am, every Saturday from 12:00 pm to 1:00 am and every Sunday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am

Conclusion

Cementing your status as one of the top gastronomic cities in Europe can be tough, but these exceptional restaurants do just that for the Portuguese capital.

I’m always astounded at the diversity of foodie spots popping up in the city. Luckily, this means that both first-time and frequent visitors will never be short of new and exciting places to try.