Complete Guide to Restaurants in Lisbon: Portuguese Food, Must-Eats, Tips…

Portuguese People and Food

Food in Portugal is more than a lifestyle; it provides an insight into the history of the country, its residents and Portuguese culture. The Portuguese enjoy the pleasure of eating together with friends and family, making really long lunches or dinners.

As you can see, dining in Portugal is a social and cultural journey where meals are meant to be savored together. So, eat like a local and don’t rush your meal when sampling the best of Portuguese cuisine!

Thanks to restaurant prices that are probably the lowest in Europe, nothing stands in the way of memorable food experiences…

Bom apetite!

What to eat in Lisbon?

With its diverse cuisine, the Portuguese capital is the perfect place for a foodie trip that will not disappoint!

Lisboners love seafood and grilled meats - as opposed to dishes with vegetables.

However, as a cosmopolitan city, Lisbon's dining scene offers a wide range of culinary options, from authentic Portuguese kitchen to vegetarian dishes and international cuisine. If you're in search of Lisbon's best vegetarian and vegan restaurants, begin with the locations in our article. 

Whether you are looking for a small eatery, a rustic tavern or a fancy restaurant, in Lisbon you will find a restaurant for every taste and budget.

Traditional Portuguese Cuisine

Portuguese cuisine is rich in the freshest seafood, olive oil, meat, bread, and spices - and is widely underestimated. One could even say it is one of Europe's best-kept secret.

Portuguese food is not only a feast for the senses, it also has a distinctive identity. A former seafaring nation, Portuguese food culture, influenced by the Atlantic Diet and Mediterranean cuisine, reflects its maritime explorations and the food culture of its colonies.

The Portuguese love dining on seafood so much that they even have a name for it: mariscada. But the country also has a wide variety of regional dishes to offer. Each region has its own unique tastes and specialties, and we recommend trying as much as you can.

It is also worth mentioning the excellent quality of Portuguese wines, which harmonize perfectly with the typical cuisine.

Here are some of the most beloved and famed Portuguese dishes that you should definitely taste during your Lisbon trip:

Must Eats in Lisbon

We recommend that you don't leave the city without trying a few of the following highlights of Lisbon cuisine:

Where to eat in Lisbon?

The right Neighborhood for every Taste

Here are the articles we prepared for you with all the best restaurants and cafés you can find in Lisbon:

Good to know

Couvert:

In restaurants in Portugal, you will often be welcomed with bread, olives and other dishes. Please note that these are usually not included in the price. If you don't want to pay for them, be sure to send them back, or you will be surprised later to find the food on your bill.

Authentic Restaurants:

If you are looking for an authentic Portuguese meal, you should avoid the tourist places as the prices there are likely to be inflated. The key to an affordable, authentic meal is always family-run establishments. With that in mind, before you sit down to eat, look for a place that looks like a family-run business.

Spoiled for Choice:

With so many delicious dishes to choose from, it's often hard to pick one. Our advice: When visiting a seafood restaurant, ask for the catch of the day, which is often listed on a chalkboard outside. This is an excellent way to find out what is fresh, in season, and a specialty of the chef.

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