The 38 Best Restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal, According to a Local Expert
A food-loving visitor will quickly learn that sardines, cod, and the iconic pastel de nata are great, but the Lisbon restaurant scene can offer much more. Portuguese cuisine draws on global flavors from the country’s centuries of trade, and Lisbon’s restaurateurs have access to top-quality fish and seafood, unique cheeses, lovely wines, and vegetables from […]
A food-loving visitor will quickly learn that sardines, cod, and the iconic pastel de nata are great, but the Lisbon restaurant scene can offer much more. Portuguese cuisine draws on global flavors from the country’s centuries of trade, and Lisbon’s restaurateurs have access to top-quality fish and seafood, unique cheeses, lovely wines, and vegetables from organic farms just outside the city. In a capital experiencing lightning-fast growth, Lisbon’s food scene mediates the collision of old and new, weaving together trendy wine bars, Michelin-starred restaurants, traditional and casual venues, and neo-tascas (modern neighborhood restaurants) that combine aspects of all of the above.
During the summer, Lisbon’s streets bloom with jacarandas and the long, warm days are an open invitation to terraces, alfresco dining, and the city’s ever-evolving restaurant scene. From crowded Chiado to residential Santos, there’s always a lot to eat in Portugal’s capital.
In this latest refresh, we’ve revamped our write-ups to include even more relevant info for diners, including a rough range of pricing for each destination — ranging from $ for quick, inexpensive meals with dishes largely under $10 USD (or the equivalent in euros), to $$$$ for places where entrees exceed $30.
New to the map in June 2025: Tasca Pete, an 18-seat gem that reimagines the traditional tasca with weekly, unfussy seasonal plates; Ofício, a bold and playful “atypical tasco” that riffs on Portuguese classics with global flair; a sky-high tasting menu at Fifty Seconds; Sem, a minimalist Alfama project devoted to sustainability; and Ryoshi, which channels the soulful side of Japanese cuisine with dishes like grilled rice onigiri chazuke and veal tongue katsu sando.
Rafael Tonon is a journalist and food writer living between Brazil and Portugal, covering the restaurant industry in Lisbon for outlets like the Washington Post, Epicurious, and leading Portuguese publications. A contributor to Eater since 2008, he is also the author of Food Revolutions (published in Portuguese and Spanish).
