27 of the best restaurants in Lisbon to try
There’s no denying that some of the best restaurants in Lisbon are the most talked-about in Europe right now. It may seem sudden to some, but Lisbon's growth as a foodie hotspot began some time ago – Prado opened in late-2017, while 100 Manieras came in 2019, the same year that Belcanto secured its spot on the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Since then, new crowds have descended upon the cobbled streets at a rapid pace, cementing the city as a food hotspot. The good news is, the openings aren't set to slow down any time soon.
So, where should you eat in Lisbon? Before I visited the city for the first time, I knew very little of Portuguese cuisine (aside from pastel de natas, of course) – but now, having been lucky enough to know the city intimately and learn its traditions, I am a keen champion of everything on offer, whether that's traditional dishes or a new twist. Most people visiting Lisbon will want to try some form of traditional food at one of the city’s tascas – typical casual eateries serving very local dishes such as bacalhau (salted cod) and prego or bifana (beef or pork sandwiches). Those who are more familiar with the city or want to experience everything on offer, might prefer one of the many modern or Michelin-starred restaurants on offer.
Just like the city itself, Lisbon’s food scene is varied and exciting – and you can go from knocking back ginjinha (cherry liqueur) with locals to sipping wine at a tasting menu within the space of 24 hours. Whatever you’re looking for, these are the Lisbon restaurants I have personally tried and tested, and would recommend to anyone visiting the city (in no particular order).
How we choose the best restaurants in Lisbon
Every restaurant on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has eaten at that restaurant. When choosing restaurants, our editors consider both high end and affordable eateries that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We're always looking for stand-out dishes, a great location and warm service – as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new restaurants open and existing ones evolve.
1. O Velho Eurico
Best Lisbon restaurant for: hanging with the locals
Walking into O Velho Eurico almost feels like you’ve stumbled upon a local secret; until you see the queue forming, that is. What was once a quiet local tasca, hidden in a corner on the way to São Jorge Castle, is now filled to the brim every night with locals and tourists keen to enjoy a twist on classic Portuguese dishes. The menu has some mainstays, such as bacalhau (salted cod) and polvo (octopus), but dishes are updated or changed relatively recently; on my most recent visit, I was particularly taken with the pastel de leitão (suckling pig pastry) and Borrego e castanhas (lamb and chestnuts). Best enjoyed with a group of friends so you can order at least one of everything, settle in for the evening and soak up the fun, relaxed atmosphere alongside the young chefs and owners.
Price range: £
Where? Central, near São Jorge Castle
Address: Largo São Cristóvão nº3, 1100-179 Lisboa
Website: @ovelhoeurico on Instagram
Should I book? Yes (in advance) via the email listed on their Instagram page
2. Canalha
Best Lisbon restaurant for: Fun, delicious dining
Named as one of the Best New Restaurants in the World in CNT’s 2024 Hot List, and already topping many restaurant lists, Canalha is undoubtedly one of the hottest tables in Lisbon, despite only opening its doors in late-2023. Luckily for us, the hype hasn’t affected this restaurant’s ability to put out a creative, exciting menu and well-cooked dishes. Portugal is a place with impeccable produce, and it really shines on Canalha’s menu. In fact, chef João Rodrigues thinks good ingredients are key, which is why you’ll see influence from around the world, not just Portugal, on the menu. Rodrigues told CNT: “I’m not attached to any one cuisine; I like what I like. What you cook is what you are – your experiences and your life”. This shows in everything from the menu to the old-school Portuguese canteen design of the restaurant (when we dined, there were TVs showing a Portugal football game, a touch I felt added a sense of camaraderie to the evening).
For me, the star of the show was undoubtedly the Iberic pork presa, cooked with slightly crunchy edges and served simply with chips (a theory of mine: it’s impossible to find bad chips in Portugal). However, each dish hits just right, from the tuna sashimi with trout roe to asparagus served with island cheese and a buttery, lemony sauce – and almost everything is sourced as locally as possible. The reality is that this is a simple restaurant with good dishes, and it’s clear the chefs are having as much fun building their dishes as diners do eating them. What more could you want?
Price range: ££
Where? Belém
Address: R. da Junqueira 207, 1300-338 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: @restaurantecanalha on Instagram
Should I book? Absolutely: you’ll struggle to get a table last-minute
3. Belcanto
Best Lisbon restaurant for: a special occasion
Recently awarded number 31 on the annual list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants, Belcanto was the first restaurant in Lisbon to earn two Michelin stars. Chef Jose Avillez is practically a celebrity in Lisbon, so expectations are high – and Belcanto doesn't disappoint. Interiors are chic and grand, without feeling stuffy. Meanwhile, service is impeccable; the wait staff are friendly but not overbearing, and share information about each dish without disturbing your evening.
Diners can choose from three tasting menus, or a la carte – but the former is the real treat. The Evolution menu combines Portuguese flavours with new textures; expect plump scarlet shrimp served in a curry sauce with apple, delicate minced squid housed in incredibly crunchy roasted chicken skin and perfectly-cooked crispy suckling pig with puffed potatoes, all served with impeccable Portuguese wines, should you opt for the wine pairing. If you want to splurge on one of the best meals in Lisbon, this is the place to go.
Price range: ££££
Where? Bairro Alto
Address: R. Serpa Pinto 10A, 1200-026 Lisboa
Website: belcanto.pt
Should I book? Yes
Paulo Barata4. Cervejaria Ramiro
Best Lisbon restaurant for: seafood
When Anthony Bourdain visited Ramiro in 2013 during filming for his show No Reservations, he turned the local cervejaria (beer bar) into a must-visit restaurant for tourists and locals. Despite the name, Ramiro serves up truly incredible seafood, including lobster, prawns and crab – all served by the kilogram (and therefore best enjoyed with a larger group). Most diners skip dessert and instead opt for a Prego – a beef sandwich served with mustard – which is, to this day, the best I’ve ever tasted in Lisbon.
The restaurant covers three floors, but you should expect to queue before you manage to score a table.
Price range: ££
Where? Intendente
Address: Av. Alm. Reis 1 H, 1150-007 Lisboa
Website: www.cervejariaramiro.com
Should I book? Yes
Luis Ferraz5. Ofício Tasco Atípico
Best Lisbon restaurant for: unique dishes
Ofício is so popular with locals that it’s booked up weeks in advance, but it’s well worth trying to get hold of a table to sample the inventive cuisine and soak up the fun atmosphere. The menu has more ‘must-try dishes’ than most in the city; the sea vegetable taco, with its wondrously unique texture, is impeccable, while crispy crackling and veal and marrow tartare shouldn’t be missed. No meal is complete, though, without a slice (or whole, if you can manage it) of the cheese tart; a dense, slightly sweet and entirely creamy dessert dreamt up during the second lockdown by chef Hugo Candeias.
Despite the fact that they're full to the brim with diners, staff will be only too happy to talk passionately about the flavours and ingredients in the dishes, or share a wine pairing recommendation – make the most of their knowledge and pick their brains as they bring your plates.
Price range: ££
Where? Bairro Alto
Address: R. Nova da Trindade 11k, 1200-301 Lisboa
Website: oficio-restaurant
Should I book? Yes, in advance
6. SEM
Best Lisbon restaurant for: creative cooking
There’s no shortage of tasting menus available in Lisbon, but few offer the creativity of rececently-Michelin-awarded SEM; where dishes are created specifically to combat food waste, and ingredients are chosen according to seasonality, and to support local farmers. Jars of fermented tomatoes, peppers and artichokes line the walls alongside bottles of natural wine and syrups created for cocktails, and from the minute you sit down you'll be absolutely intrigued.
Fortunately, there's not a single dish that could disappoint; whether it's egg white garum crunch, which somehow manages to transform regular egg white into something completely new (like a cross between tempura and a really delicious crisp) or sourdough bread served with leftover sourdough bread miso butter (truly wondrous) everything is memorable. And while ingredients are undoubtedly sophisticated and dishes are beautifully presented, this is an extremely affordable tasting menu compared with other local offerings. Add the wine pairing to put the cherry on top.
Price range: ££
Where? Alfama
Address: R. das Escolas Gerais 120, 1100-220 Lisboa
Website: restaurantsem.com
Should I book? Yes
Manuel Manso7. BAHR
Best Lisbon restaurant for: impeccable flavours
The Bairro Alto Hotel is one of the best hotels in Lisbon, and while hotel restaurants can be hit or miss, BAHR is a triumph. The decor – all curved ceilings, cosy corners and oversized wooden bar – is immediately welcoming, but some diners may prefer to skip the interiors and instead dine on the terrace, with a view of the city and Tagus river. Either way, your attention will soon be drawn back in by the menu which features a twist on classic Portuguese cuisine, resulting in dishes such as garlicky grilled squid with runner beans and turnip, raw beef ‘pica-pau’ taco with just a hint of pineapple and buttery wild turbot with green kale sauce and chorizo – the latter of which comes highly recommended. For post- or pre-dinner cocktails, head to the hotel's new 18.68 cocktail bar for art deco-style interiors and an inventive list from head bartender Tiago Santos, which is inspired by the building's history as a former fire station.
Price range: ££
Where? Bairro Alto
Address: Praça Luís de Camões nº 2, 1200-243 Lisboa
Website: bahr.pt
Should I book? Yes
Júlia Guedes8. Arkhe
Best lisbon restaurant for: vegetarians
In truth, it feels a shame to introduce Arkhe as a vegetarian restaurant. The tasting menu is so varied here that if you weren’t to know beforehand, you’d probably reach the desserts before realising that you hadn’t eaten a morsel of meat or fish. But, given that Portuguese cuisine sways heavily towards carnivorous dishes, after a few days of (delicious) local meals, it can feel like a breath of fresh air to leave a restaurant without the heavy feeling that can come from overindulging in meat. That’s not to say you won’t feel suitably full after your tasting experience at Arkhe; you’ll choose between a five- or seven-course menu, bursting with fresh flavours. Expect melon and cucumber soup with homemade basil oil, bell pepper with hollandaise sauce and homemade tortellini stuffed with different types of mushrooms, and topped with a dashi made from seaweed.
It’s well worth asking if you can choose a cheese plate from the produce stored in the wine cellar – not only are the cheeses (a mixture of local Portuguese and French, chosen by co-owner Alejandro, who is passionate about his produce) delicious, but here you can fully appreciate the vibe of the restaurant, with its stone walls, arches and corner stuffed with food-related books, all designed to make you feel incredibly at home. And you surely will, as the restaurant’s welcoming staff introduce you to their vast selection of wines, or stop by for a chat about each course. All in all, this is a unique gem in Lisbon and a restaurant that’s gone straight to my recommendations list.
Price range: £££
Where? Rato
Address: Rua de São Filipe Néri 14, 1250-227 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: arkhe.pt
Should I book? It’s recommended, as the restaurant is small
9. Trinca
Best Lisbon restaurant for: a small but perfectly-formed menu
There’s something incredibly satisfying about wandering the streets of a new city and finding a great eatery, and this little-known secret is one I’m only too willing to share. Hidden away on a residential street in the Anjos area of Lisbon, Trinca is a modern small plates restaurant in a traditional building. Serving up world dishes heavily inspired by South American, Japanese and, of course, Portuguese cuisines, diners can expect dishes such as prawn ceviche, birria tacos and Katsu sandos. The wine selection is also excellent, and the friendly and passionate staff help to make an evening here feel like a night with friends, even if you’re solo dining.
Price range: £
Where? Anjos
Address: Rua dos Anjos 59C, 1150-034 Lisboa
Website: @restaurantetrinca on Instagram
Should I book? Yes, via their Instagram page
Rodrigo Simões Cardoso10. Prado
Best Lisbon restaurant for: farm-to-table cooking
Prado is the Portuguese word for “meadow”, and the restaurant applies a local focus on everything they serve thanks to partnerships with local farmers, fishermen and wine producers. This means their menu is proudly 100 per cent Portuguese and features dishes such as pumpkin with whey and toasted butter, fish with lobster emulsion and brioche with white port and chocolate. Before joining Prado, Chef António Galapito worked with hometown hero Nuno Mendes and brings a versatile and varied passion for food that's evident in the menu and beautifully-presented dishes. Ideally you'll want to bring a few friends so that you can sample them all and soak the creative, hip and fun atmosphere as part of a crowd – plus indulge in a bottle of wine or two, with help from the knowledgable sommelier.
Price range: ££
Where? Santos
Address: Tv. Pedras Negras 2, 1100-404 Lisboa
Website: pradorestaurante.com
Should I book? Yes
11. O Frade
Best Lisbon restaurant for: date night
Sitting at a counter overlooking the kitchen, it's not hard to understand why O Frade is a local favourite. The small but perfectly-formed restaurant sits just 18 people inside (with an extra 20 now able to dine outside) and its semi-circular seating means that it naturally feels like an intimate experience, where you have the opportunity to talk with the chefs as they serve their plates, or befriend a fellow diner who might just share a fascinating story. In short, it's a restaurant of opportunities and experiences – a sentiment that becomes clearer when you find that the restaurant now has a second outpost in the ever-popular Time Out market.
The main restaurant, though, is located in Belém, just outside of the city. The owners were inspired by their grandparents who had a restaurant by the same name in the Alentejo since the 1960s, and dishes are hearty Portuguese fare with a modern twist; rissols filled with razor clams, flavoursome rabbit with pickled onions and coriander and a memorable mushroom rice, which is creamy but somehow vegan. Wines are also kept in the family, from their own vineyards in Vila de Frades – be sure to try the excellent white.
Price range: ££
Where? Belém
Address: Calçada da Ajuda 14, 1300-598 Lisboa
Instagram: @restauranteofrade
Should I book? Yes
12. Magnolia
Best Lisbon restaurant for: small plates
Set on Praça das Flores, a quietly buzzing part of Lisbon where locals have dinner and spill out into the park with glasses of wine to finish their evenings, Magnolia is the type of place that makes you stop and think about how lucky you are to experience Lisbon and its beauty. Opened in 2022, the restaurant's owners are from Brazil and Belgium and bring their love of travel and world flavours to the menu. Dishes are made to be shared, whether that’s creamy camembert in puff pastry with thyme honey, tuna tartare with avocado and mango or moreish croquettes de crevette, and there's a wide selection of local natural wines available to pair.
During the day, Magnolia serves up warming tomato soup with cheese toast, endless coffee and possibly the best pistachio croissant you'll ever have. You might even catch the owners enjoying tea, wine and chatting with the neighbours, if you show up regularly enough.
Price range: ££
Where? Príncipe Real
Address: Praça das Flores 43, 1200-192 Lisboa
Instagram: @magnolia_lisboa
Should I book? Yes
13. Cura
Best Lisbon restaurant for: gourmet dining
Housed inside the Four Seasons Ritz hotel, in an intimate space that can technically be accessed via the street (but the more fun entrance takes you through the grandeur of the hotel's lobby) is Cura; a restaurant that takes its name from the expression curadoria (the curators who take care of art). And both the food and interiors live up to the name; the warming gold and blue palette of the restaurant is accented by Madeira wood panelling and bevelled mirrors, and the open kitchen is wondrously calm and fascinating to watch.
This, of course, is where chef Pedro Pena Bastos and his team put the finishes touches to their dishes. There are three tasting menus available; Meia Cura, Origens, and Raízes (the latter is vegetarian). All three make the most of Portugal’s wonderful ingredients, resulting in dishes such as freshly caught sea bass garnished with parsley and saffron, melt-in-the-mouth squid with hazelnuts, roasted seaweed butter and caviar or flavourful pumpkin with chanterelles, pistachios and Indian cress. Worthy of mention in itself is the bread dish, which showcases the flavours of Portugal with butter from the Azores, local olive oil and grains grown nearby, and is truly memorable. The wine pairing is not to be missed; an ideal way to quickly zip around the country's many wine regions, without once having to leave the comfort of your seat.
Price range: ££££
Where? Marquês de Pombal
Address: R. Rodrigo da Fonseca 88, 1070-051 Lisboa
Website: fourseasons.com
Should I book? Yes
14. A Taberna da Rua das Flores
Best Lisbon restaurant for: traditional Portuguese dishes
Often considered to be one of the best Portuguese restaurants in Lisbon, A Taberna da Rua das Flores is a must-try. The atmosphere is friendly, relaxed and local while the menu is a twist on traditional; order the tuna tataki, sardines on toast and fried eggplant with Madeira honey. You’ll also want to sample the impressive wine list, full of local whites, reds and vinho verdes. Be warned, though – this restaurant gets busy, so you’ll almost certainly need to put your name on a list when you arrive and come back at a later time, as bookings are unavailable.
Price range: ££
Where? Bairro Alto
Address: Rua das Flores 103, 1200-194 Lisboa
Website: tberna.com/
Should I book? You can’t, but arriving early is the best way to secure a table
Luis Ferraz15. 2Monkeys
Best Lisbon restaurant for: an intimate dining experience
There’s no shortage of tasting menus in Portugal, but it’s still one of my favourite ways to experience all the flavours of local cuisine, and you can’t beat the experience of whiling away an evening as various plates are placed in front of you, each one beautifully presented. 2Monkeys is found in the former wine cellar in Torel Palace (one of the best hotels in Lisbon, with an impeccable view of the city) and, despite being open just one year, has already gained a Michelin star. That’s thanks to the relaxed, welcoming vibe and creative dishes from chefs Vítor Matos and Guilherme Spalk, who are so full of ideas that they change their menu almost consistently. When we dined, dishes included juicy shrimp from the Algarve with buttermilk and dill oil, langoustine with textured carrot served with white wine, port and lemongrass sauce and foie gras with brioche and rhubarb.
One of the best things about 2Monkeys is that it introduces high-quality fine dining in an environment that’s not stuffy or overly formal – there are just 14 seats, and guests sit on a simple, wooden table around the open kitchen, watching every dish being carefully created. Chefs are only too happy to talk through each dish as they plate up, which almost makes the evening feel like an immersive experience. You’ll emerge feeling stuffed, but satisfied.
Price range: £££
Where? Pena
Address: Torel Palace Lisbon, R. Câmara Pestana 45, 1150-082 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: 2monkeys.com.pt
Should I book? Yes, reservations are required
Luis Ferraz16. Café do Paço
Best Lisbon restaurant for: an authentic experience
It’s highly unlikely that you’ll come across English-speaking tourists as you dine here, which, for me, is part of the charm of the place. Café do Paço is something of an institution for locals, somewhat hidden on an unassuming street outside of the hustle and bustle of Baixa or Bairro Alto. You’ll need to ring a doorbell to gain entry, and the speakeasy feel continues when you see the interiors; all plush red booths and vintage pictures hung on the walls. Food is simple and delicious. Start with a very classic Portuguese couvert: bread, butter and sardine paste, then follow up with some of the most-loved dishes in the country: an eggy, moreish Bacalhau à Brás (a dish made with salt cod, potatoes and eggs) and a Bitoque (steak topped with a fried egg) served with a creamy sauce. If you have space, the Encharcada (soaked eggs) from Alentejo are a beautiful way to end the meal. Wash everything down with a glass of local wine, or ask your waiter for their recommendation – they’ll be only too happy to help.
Price range: £
Where? Intendente
Address: Paço da Rainha 62, 1150-000 Lisboa, Portugal
Should I book? Walk-ins are generally accepted
17. Loco
Best Lisbon restaurant for: top-notch service
From the moment you step into Michelin-starred Loco, you’ll feel welcomed by its staff, who take the time to greet you by name and talk you through the menu. A menu which, undoubtedly, is one of the best in Lisbon thanks to its impeccable attention to detail and inventive dishes. Diners work their way through an impressive 16 courses, but you won’t feel overfaced, since everything has been designed to be just right, from the snacks you start the meal with (oyster with coconut cream and chilli granita is undoubtedly one of the fanciest snacks I’ve eaten, but I certainly wasn’t mad about it) to the varied plates that just keep coming.
If your goal is to try as many flavours as possible in one meal, this is the place for you – we ate everything from an ash pillow filled with potato to snails to wild lamb to octopus. The restaurant focuses on ‘micro seasonal’ ingredients, which means that, while the menu is varied, everything is made using what’s most in-season at that time, which contributes to the restaurant’s zero-waste ethic. This also lends itself to an excellent drinks menu; while the wines are local and delicious, there’s a great selection of juices and fermented drinks made in-house with leftover ingredients. Be sure to enter with an open mind, and you’ll leave feeling fed in more ways than one.
Price range: £££
Where? Estrela
Address: R. Navegantes nº53-B, 1200-731 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: www.loco.pt
Should I book? Yes, reservations are required
18. Restaurante Brilhante
Best Lisbon restaurant for: old-school glamour
If you’re a first-time visitor to Lisbon, you’ll almost certainly be spending time around the square that houses Time Out Market, Cais do Sodre train station and plenty of eateries, including Restaurante Brilhante. It can be hard to sort through the more tourist-focused options in this area, but this Brasserie-style restaurant, which is “reminiscent of the refinement of Lisbon's nineteenth-century cafés”, is the real deal. It is a perfect escape from the busy streets; stepping inside here feels a little like going back in time. Most of the seating occupies an oval shape around the kitchen in the centre of the room, but there’s none of the chaos that you might expect – in fact, it’s almost therapeutic to watch the chefs methodically preparing their dishes. If you crave something more intimate, small, two-person booths line the walls along the windows, with delicate fringed lampshades sitting above.
It’s not all about the atmosphere, though. I had possibly the most memorable butter of my life – perfectly smoky in flavour, with a hint of salt scattered on top – followed by a Bacalhau dish made with great chunks of cod, as opposed to the smaller scraps you find in some dishes. The Brilhante steak, a dish inspired by the classic Bife à Marrare that was served at Lisbon’s famous cafés in the 19th century, was delicious alongside the truffle mash. Finish with the Piemonte hazelnuts and chocolate soufflé; you might need to have a nap after, but it will be worth it.
Price range: ££
Where? Cais do Sodre
Address: R. Moeda 1H, 1200-275 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: restaurantebrilhante.pt
Should I book? Yes, it can be busy in this area
19. Pica-Pau
Best Lisbon restaurant for: classic Portuguese dishes in a modern setting
If you take a local to Pica-Pau, chances are they'll be lost in memories of their childhood as they eat the classic dishes. If you go as a tourist, it's a great place to try Portuguese food in a non-intimidating setting; the restaurant's interiors are modern and minimalistic, with friendly staff and a creative cocktail list. The pica pau (small pieces of beef in a gravy made with beer, garlic, oil, chilli, and mustard) is, of course, a must-order, but the pasteis de bacalhau (codfish cakes) and wonderfully crunchy and salty, while the polvo à lagareiro (octopus with olive oil, garlic and potatoes) is cooked to perfection. It's also worth noting that the bread for the table is served with gravy for dipping – perfection if ever we saw it.
Price range: ££
Where? Principe Real
Address: R. da Escola Politécnica 27, 1200-244 Lisboa
Website: restaurantepicapau.pt
Should I book? Walk-ins are available
Renato de20. Casa Reîa
Best Lisbon restaurant for: beachside dining
Is there a better setting for a restaurant than the beachfront? While the city has endless foodie options, there's something extra special about dining with the sound of the waves, and this new opening has taken that sunshine feeling and enhanced it, with rattan furniture, friendly staff and fresh flavours. Start with oysters (of course), and move on to sharing plates; zucchini baba-ganoush with mint and raspberries, Seabass sashimi with green apple, celery and fennel and a green summer salad with nectarines, yellow zucchini and smoked chickpeas. The seafood rice, with juicy prawns and chunks of octopus, is the stand-out dish on the menu from chef Pedro Henrique Lima. Best of all, the restaurant spills onto the sands, so you can head towards the water after your meal with a cocktail in hand.
Price range: £££
Where? Costa da Caparica
Address: Praia da Cabana do Pescador, 2825-491 Costa da Caparica
Website: casareia.com
Should I book? Yes
Luis Ferraz21. Gunpowder Lisboa
Best Lisbon restaurant for: modern Indian cuisine
Londoners will likely know and love Gunpowder, where the brand already has three restaurants. But rather than move to another British city – Manchester, or Birmingham maybe – the brand decided to expand into a different country entirely. Still, opening a Lisbon restaurant makes total sense when you see the menu, which is similar to the British one but with a Mediterranean twist; think Algarve oysters with pickled kachumber, big juicy wild Madagascar prawns with moreish roasted garlic & tomato dressing and grilled stone bass with green coorgi sauce, all available for you to select from the window display of fish. Of course, there are the classics available too – their delicious, crispy prawn toast and show-stopping spicy lamb and vermicelli doughnut. Served with a selection of stunning local wines, it's a place for you to spend long evenings with friends mopping up sauces and snacking on chaat.
Price range: ££
Where? Bairro Alto
Address: R. Nova da Trindade 13, 1200-303 Lisboa
Website: gunpowderrestaurants.pt
Should I book? We'd recommend you do – as a new opening, it can be busy.
22. Sala de Corte
Best Lisbon restaurant for: steak
If you’re hungry for steak, you won’t find better than the impeccable cuts at Sala de Corte, which recently ranked number 34 in the list of the 50 World's Best Steakhouses. There’s an impressive offering available – from Chateaubriand to Japanese Wagyu all selected from from bovine breed producers with certified origin – and each is cooked to perfection on the restaurant's Josper grill.
With steaks as the focus of the restaurant (and no other meat dishes available), it would be easy to neglect starters and side dishes, but Sala de Corte manages to make everything on the menu as memorable as their wonderful steak cuts. The baked rice with smoked sausages is a must-try; rich, warm and full of flavour, it's the ideal accompaniment alongside the asparagus and mushrooms, for some much needed veg.
Price range: £££
Where?
Address: Praça Dom Luís I 7, 1200-148 Lisboa
Should I book? Yes, although walk-ins are available
23. Rocco
Best Lisbon restaurant for: a touch of theatrics
Inside The Ivens, one of the best hotels in Lisbon, is Rocco: an Instagrammable wonder, where you’re immediately greeted by a central bar stacked ceiling-high with colourful bottles. The theatrics continue throughout, thanks to Barcelona-based designer Lázaro Rosa-Violan, best known in Lisbon for his work on local favourite JNcQUOI Avenida, and guests can expect a clash of themes; old-school glamour in the main bar, nautical stripes and an inspiring amount of wall art in the sidebar or, if you dine in the main restaurant, a nod to traditional Italian eateries, with low lighting and plush velvet chairs.
Of course, it’s not all about the decor – although that’s undoubtedly why some locals frequent Rocco. The dishes are classic Italian fare, with a modern twist: veal carpaccio, truffled steak tartare, scarlet prawn risotto and rigatoni all'amatriciana. A highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the tiramisu, which is made in front of you and served fresh, creamy and moreish. And fans of a negroni will be cheered to know that there’s an entire menu dedicated to the cocktail; for me, the classic will always be best.
Price range: ££
Where? Bairro Alto
Address: R. Ivens 14, 1200-227 Lisboa, Portugal
Website: www.rocco.pt
Should I book? Yes, reservations are required
Luis Ferraz24. Lota Sea & Fire
Best Lisbon restaurant for: modern seafood
It's fair to say that there hasn't been a lot of competition for Lisbon's seafood king, Ramiro, until now. Yes, most restaurants serve up some version of oysters and prawns, but finding a place with a pure seafood menu isn't as easy as you'd imagine. So Lota Sea & Fire is very much welcome in Campo Pequeno, a neighbourhood on the outskirts of town where locals live and dine.
From the owners of much-loved Oficio, and with a menu headed up by superstar chef Hugo Candeias (whose work at Oficio has left a lasting impression) Lota Sea & Fire is an unusual juxtaposition of styles; from the interiors, which are styled like a seafood market and beach bar, with chic interior touches including striped sofas and hanging lamps, to the dishes which are a deliberate balance of new and traditional. If you're unsure where to start, order the ceviche with orange and almonds, then follow up with the impeccable squid ink paella, which is perfectly salty and garlicky. And much like Oficio has done with its cheesecake, this place is making a name for itself in the dessert space too; the chocolate mousse with Madeira wine shouldn't be missed, no matter how stuffed you feel.
Price range: ££
Where? Campo Pequeno
Address: Av. Duque de Ávila 42B, 1050-053 Lisboa
Website: www.lota-seafire.com
Should I book? Walk-ins are possible, but we recommend booking
Julien Labrousse25. Palacio do Grilo
Best Lisbon restaurant for: something totally unique
There’s nothing quite like Palacio do Grilo in Lisbon. If you're the type to gravitate towards new and unexpected experiences when you travel, this 18th century palace should be top of your must-see list.
Parisian Julien Labrousse bought the palacio in 2020, and knew he wanted to do something different. He set to work creating a restaurant in the middle of a living theatre, which highlights the ethereal, and almost spooky nature of the building. Performers parade (or sometimes crawl, or yell) around you as you eat, and there’s a good chance your dish will become almost-forgotten as you watch the show. That's not to say the food isn't memorable; burrata and pumpkin with crispy sage is a stunning way to start the meal, followed by lamb loin with pistachio paloise and goose fat potatoes. Just be sure you leave time after dinner to explore the other rooms in the palace, where you'll find a small discotheque, or a bar serving cocktails to Lisbon's coolest crowds.
Price range: ££
Where? Grilo
Address: Calçada do Duque de Lafões 1, 1950-207 Lisboa
Website: palaciogrilo.com
Should I book? Yes-BouBou%25E2%2580%2599s-lisbon-jun22-pr.jpeg)
Francisco Nogueira26. BouBou’s
Best Lisbon restaurant for: tasting menus
Opened in 2018 by couple Agnes and Alexis Bourrat, BouBou’s is a family affair – Alexis’ sister Charlie Bourrat hand-picks wines for the restaurant, while his other sister Louise heads up the kitchen, bringing her rebellious, experimental style to BouBou’s. The result is a fun, casual fine dining restaurant in arguably the most food-focused district in Lisbon.
If tasting menus are your thing, this one is truly impeccable. Dishes are varied, fun and full of flavour, with a focus on seasonal produce and zero waste. The restaurant isn’t vegetarian, but there’s a tendency to lean toward veggie-heavy dishes – expect sweet potato served with coconut tiger milk and kaffir lime, and a nori taco with kimchi rice and glazed seitan – although it’s one of the few times checking out the menu beforehand isn’t advised, so you can be pleasantly surprised by each dish. The wine pairing is also highly recommended; our sommelier carefully talked us through every glass (all Portuguese, of course), and each was more delicious than the last. Tip: grab a table overlooking the open kitchen to watch the slick kitchen action – and work up more of an appetite.
Price range: £££
Where? Príncipe Real
Address: R. Monte Olivete 32A, 1200-280 Lisboa
Website: boubous.com
Should I book? Yes
Ricardo Santos27. Davvero
Best Lisbon restaurant for: fine dining Italian fare
Good, classic Italian restaurants are still relatively few and far between in Lisbon, so this new opening will be warmly welcomed by locals. Chef Isaac Kumi joined Sublime Lisboa after working for the Cipriani brand, and he brings an obvious passion for ingredients; both local and quality Italian. It's difficult to pick a stand-out dish – starters, mains and puddings are all wonderfully consistent – but steak is cooked to perfection, and the lemon tart is a delicious way to end your meal.
Price range: ££
Where? Amoreiras
Address: R. Marquês de Subserra 10, 1070-012 Lisboa
Website: davvero.pt
Should I book? For dinner, yes.