The 7 Best Breakfast Spots in Lisbon

The Portuguese capital of Lisbon has always been one of my favorite places to break my fast in Europe. It has so much variety: espresso bars in Alfama, bagels in Baixa, and if you sleep in a little late, the brunch spots in Bairro Alto will always be there. Who could blame me for running my Lisbon food tours here?

If you count yourself as an early riser and can’t go without your morning meal, this is the article for you. I’ve listed my best breakfast spots in Lisbon you need to check out the next time you’re in the City of Seven Hills.

Brunch Café

Photo credit: Brunch Café

By the name, you might think Brunch Café across from the Lisbon Story Centre only opens in the afternoon, but it caters to early risers, too, with its snug dining area open for business as soon as the sun comes up.

You’d easily walk past Brunch Café on Rua da Alfândega and not even notice it. It was only for the writing on the canopy that I saw it. The inside of the place took me by surprise; it was super colorful, with green paint on the walls, and there were plenty of seats inside the small building.

When I visited, my order was the avocado toast; I heard a woman out front say to her partner how good it was, so I used my eavesdropping to my advantage to get a little recommendation.

There was only one piece of toast with the order, but it was pretty big, and it came out with three sliced pieces of smoky cold salmon, which tasted delightful with smooth nuttiness from the avocado.

Brunch Café (€€) – Rua da Alfândega 120, 1100-016 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every day, 8:00 am to 9:00 am

Zenith

Photo credit: Zenith

Zenith is a trendy location beside Avenida da Liberdade, where you can have a delicious breakfast for a fair price. This place has been deemed one of the city’s most Instagrammable spots in all of Lisbon for its quirky dining space with its shelved flowers over the bar, wooden tables, and sleek lighting features.

I’ve lost count of the number of people I’ve sent to Zenith to try their eggs benedict. I always order it with a double espresso; it gives you a proper kick to start your day.

Not only do you get a creamy serving of poached eggs, but on the side comes a buttery serving of avocado smashed on a crispy side of toast. All of this is drenched in a rich, tangy hollandaise as a nice finishing touch; it was the best part, in my opinion.

If you like your coffee, the double espresso is sure to hit the spot; I found it to be bitter with a sharp aftertaste to it. Plus, it was like rocket fuel; I didn’t even need to have my second coffee of the day after that.

Zenith (€€) – R. do Telhal 4A, 1150-346 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Breakfast Lovers Misericórdia

Photo credit: Breakfast Lovers Misericórdia

Those of you who don’t mind a bit of the hustle and bustle in the morning should check out Breakfast Lovers Misericórdia in Calçada do Combro. While it can get crowded in here once the doors open after people visit the famous nearby attraction, Bica, their food speaks for itself.

I like the vibe they’re going for here; it has a warm, homely atmosphere with the lush greeny hanging from the ceiling, the plates on the walls, and the soft, neutral tones.

You need to order one of the açaí bowls when you come here, but don’t make the same mistake as me and order more food with it because they’re very filling, especially first thing in the morning.

Looking at it at first, I thought it didn’t look that big, but there were so many flavorful ingredients in there, including sour slices of kiwi, sweet chopped banana, tart strawberries, and acidic grapes. When you add all that in with the heavy earthiness of the açaí, I’d be impressed if you finish it.

Breakfast Lovers Misericórdia (€€) – Calçada do Combro 45, 1200-114 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Rhodo Bagels

Photo credit: Rhodo Bagels

If you find yourself in a hurry in the morning and need a quick bite to eat, Rhodo Bagels is my go-to place around Rua da Boavista for a snappy, no-frills snack. It’s an American bagel shop in the heart of Lisbon that lets you pre-order in advance for anyone who doesn’t have time to sit down.

I’m a big fan of the interiors here; there’s a minimalistic vibe with the tiered seating against the wall and authentic detailing on the ceiling, but they haven’t gone too overboard, either.

As you can already guess, bagels are what this place is all about, and they’re masters at them, from the roe and chili crisp option to the b.e.c, but the headliner for me is the smoked salmon.

I popped in here a few months back during the early hours of Friday morning and ordered the smoked salmon. The person behind the counter handed it to me, wrapped in parchment paper with cream cheese leaking out of the sides.

The salmon has a nice saltiness to it, and the cream cheese was lightly sweetened with a mild tanginess. There were also some chopped red onions in there, which gave the overall flavor profile a mild pepperiness, which I liked.

Rhodo Bagels (€€) – Rua da Boavista 178, 1200-177 Lisboa, Portugal – Closed every Monday and Tuesday and open every Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Audrey’s

Photo credit: Audrey’s

Audrey’s is a chic little spot near Lisbon Cathedral. Although they serve food all day, I’m especially partial to the breakfast offerings here.

The indoor dining room is super stylish yet cozy, with golden fairy lights and patterned wallpaper. If I’m entirely honest, though, the umbrella-covered al fresco area is my preferred place to sit.

Gluten-free visitors to Lisbon will be relieved to find several wheatless options on the menu. Otherwise, you can expect granola bowls, croissants, and my personal favorite, the French toast.

While French toast is never exactly a light choice for breakfast, here, it’s typically accompanied by just a handful of juicy, zingy red berries and a serving of silky-smooth sugary syrup. Each thick slice was soft, fluffy, and dusted with citrussy cinnamon.

Audrey’s (€€) – R. de Santiago 13, 1100-494 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every day from 7:30 am to 11:00 pm

Seventh Brunch Chiado

Photo credit: Seventh Brunch Chiado

Seventh Brunch has many restaurants in Portugal, and if the Chiado branch is anything to go by, I’m confident you’ll be impressed by the fare here.

Its polished wooden furnishings and exposed brick walls make this place feel edgy and laid-back. It was almost full to the brim when I decided to stop by for my first meal of the day, and it was as lively as a busy Lisbon bar would be in the evening!

I kicked things off with a mimosa while I scanned through the menu. Combining zesty orange juice and fruity prosecco, it was the ideal pick-me-up on a slow Sunday morning.

As heavenly as the waffles and pancakes sounded, I felt more inclined to go for something savory, so I opted for the mushroom toast. The tender mushrooms were paired with earthy rosemary and plated up with spicy arugula and sweet tomatoes on a base of crusty toasted bread.

Seventh Brunch Chiado (€€) – Calçada do Combro 147, 1200-452 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every day from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Fábrica da Nata

Photo credit: Fábrica da Nata

Sometimes, I prefer to stick to something lightweight for breakfast, especially if I’m up and about pretty early. On those days, an eatery like Fábrica da Nata near the Monumento dos Restauradores does the trick.

This pastelaria is all about good food at reasonable prices, yet the dining area feels opulent and sophisticated. Think traditional Portuguese tiling, vintage chandeliers, and wood-beamed ceilings.

Should you be craving something more hearty, there are wraps, sandwiches, and soups on the menu. However, I had my heart set on a pastel de nata or two, as did almost everyone in line ahead of me!

These egg and custard-based tarts are synonymous with the city and wider Portugal, but these are some of the best in the business. From the flaky, layered pastry to the luxurious, molten filling and caramelized top layer, these guys ticked all the boxes for the perfect pastel de nata.

Fábrica da Nata (€) – Praça dos Restauradores 62 -68, 1250-110 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every day from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm

Conclusion

That’s my take on breakfast in Lisbon; there’s truly no shortage of incredible eateries for your first meal here, from casual haunts near Cais do Sodré to international-inspired brunch spots for crepes, pastéis de nata, croissants, and granola bowls.

Next time you’re in town, don’t pass by the opportunity to swing by any of these locations for a sizable morning feed; you won’t be disappointed.