20 Best Restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal

Besides Portugal’s must-visit cities, the country is blessed with various destinations that offer spectacular vistas, historic scenes, spectacular beaches, and of course, piquant cuisines. And Lisbon, its capital city, has a fair share of cuisines for you to try, too! Lisbon entices gastronome to experience the rich Portuguese flavors as well as localized international cuisines. Since Lisbon is perched near the waters, the best restaurants in Lisbon specialize in seafood dishes. If you’re fond of the seafood restaurants in the U.S., Lisbon will give you a different standard for seafood.

In most Portuguese menus, you’ll find dishes that demonstrate a creative take on grilled codfish, burgers with thinly-sliced pork, old school steak, tripe stew, and Pastel de Nata. But if you’re also looking for localized international cuisines, you can also find the best restaurants in Lisbon that serve Asian, Mediterranean, and Central American cuisines that use fresh, local ingredients.

So, without further ado, let’s check the best restaurants in Lisbon!

Best Restaurants in Lisbon

1. Pastéis de Belém

Photo by Nick Fewings from Unsplash

Opening Hours: 8 AM to 8 PM (Monday to Sunday). Closes at 7 PM on December 24, 25, 31, and January 1.
Range: €1.15 to €27.50
Must try: A piece of Pastéis de Belém (€1.15 or around US$1.39)

Pastéis de Belém is definitely one of the best restaurants in Lisbon. They are famous for their pastries recipe that remained unchanged since the 19th century. It is believed to be a secret recipe from someone at the Jeronimos Monastery. Since then, exclusive master confectioners baked this with premier ingredients and traditional techniques. Today, aside from Pastéis de Belém they also offer other pastries such as Bolo Inglês (fruit cake), Salgados, Sartido, and more. The price ranges from €1.15 (around US$1.39) for a piece of Pastelaria Varianda to €27.50 (around US$33.40) for a kilo of Lampreia de Ovos. Make sure to buy a lot to maximize the time you waited in line because spoiler alert: a piece of Pastéis de Belém will never be enough.

2. The Food Temple

Photo from The Food Temple’s Facebook

Opening Hours: 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM (Monday to Friday). Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Range: €2 to €6
Must try: Soup of the Day

Dubbed as the seat of Lisbon’s Vegetarian cuisine, The Food Temple is the best restaurant in Lisbon for vegans. Inside, you will be welcomed into an intimate bohemian-chic interior decorated with some Nepali flags. Outside, you can also have a unique dining experience on the stone stairways. The Food Temple’s menu is curated by Canadian-Chinese chef Alice Ming. The menu ranges from €2 (around US$2.43) for a Soup of the Day to €6 (around US$7.30) for a gluten-free Chayote and King Oyster Mushroom Ceviche. But this changes daily. For your not-so-guilty pleasures, they also have locally-sourced vegan liquors.

3. Pharmacia

Photo from the Pharmacia Facebook

Opening Hours: 9:30 AM to 1 AM (Monday to Sunday)
Range: €2 to €17.90
Must try: Duck Croquette, Orange, and Onion Jam (€6 or around US$7.29)

Located on the same building as the Museu de Farmacia, Pharmacia is a pharmacy-themed restaurant with French monarchial flair. It has wooden floor panels, printed accent walls, and dangling chandeliers that seem to take you to a different era. But they also offer an outdoor-seating to let you watch the sunrise or experience Portugal’s balmy weather.

Aside from its interiors, diners also come here for chef Felicidade’s menu. They serve inventive Portuguese dishes imbued with rich Portuguese traditions. Their menu ranges from €2 (around US$2.43) for an Hors d’oeuvres to €17.90 (around US$22) for a Portuguese Entrecôte “An Imperial”, Lupin beans, French Fries, and Spinach Purée. Apart from this, they also have a bar menu which makes Pharmacia a quirky place to start the night.

4. GoJuu

Photo from GoJuu’s Facebook

Opening Hours: Lunch: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM (Tuesday to Saturday). Dinner: 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM (Tuesday and Wednesday)
Range: €2.50 to €45
Must try: Fatty Tuna Sashimi (€37 or around US$45)

GoJuu tops the list as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Lisbon. Inspired by Portugal’s premium seafood, chef Takashi Yoshitake opened Aya. But after he passed away in 2009, his disciples immortalized his vision by opening various Japanese restaurants. Among them, GoJuu remained truthful to chef Yoshitake’s visions. More than food, GoJuu’s menu is a form of art. For the chefs at GoJuu, cooking is a ritual. From choosing the premier seafood to vigorously preparing them, for sure they will give you another standard of Japanese cuisine. They have an elaborate menu of Japanese food, making them the perfect go-to place for some Japanese craving fix. If you can’t decide, you can order Sushi Menu (€19.50 or around US$24) that has six assorted sushi and 13 assorted sashimi. Or, if you just like Sashimi, you can have 25 pieces of Assorted Sashimi for €25 (around US$30).

5. Cervejaria Ramiro

Photo from Cervejaria Ramiro’s website

Opening Hours: 12 PM to 12 AM (Tuesday to Sunday). Closed on Monday and most of August.
Range: €2.85 to €96.60
Must try: Two-piece Giant Tiger Prawns (starts at €22 or around US$27)

Opened in 1956, Cervejaria Ramiro is a two-story restaurant that serves beer and seafood. In the beginning, it was popular with its tap beers and tapas. But over time, they gained more popularity for their premier quality seafood menu. In fact, it was also featured in Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”. Perhaps, these factors drove more diners to Cervejaria Ramiro that you can already expect waiting for 30 minutes to two hours in line before getting a table. Since it’s one of the best restaurants in Lisbon, every hour seems to be its peak. But don’t worry, now they already have an enclosed patio with a beer vending machine to make your waiting a little bit more bearable. Or, make sure that you’re already in the restaurant before it opens.

Cervejaria Ramiro’s menu is full of crustacean options that are priced per kilograms. An order of Pao Com Manteiga costs €2.85 (around US$3.46), while a kilo of Bruxas or Lagostim costs €96.60 (around US$117.40) Although this may seem expensive, when you taste it you’ll realize that you’re paying for the best seafood in Lisbon.

6. Tantura

Photo from Tantura’s Facebook

Opening Hours: 6:30 PM to 12 AM (Monday to Sunday)
Range: €2.90 to €9.25
Must try: Hummus Sabich (€7.25 or around US$9)

One of the best Mediterranean restaurants in Lisbon, Tantura brings you flavors of North Africa, the Middle East, and Southern Europe. With the expertise and artistry of chefs Elad and Itamar, their Mediterranean flavors went beyond Hummus and Kebabs. Tantura offers various Mediterranean dishes like Shakshuka, Falafel, Borrecas, Salad, and more! On top of that, they are affordable and range only between €2.90 (around US$4) for a Falafel made with ground chickpeas with Tahini sauce and €9.25 (around US$11) for a Shakshuka with ground meat. They also serve wine, sangria, cocktails, and other liquors.

7. The Old House

Photo from The Old House

Opening Hours: 12 PM to 1:30 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:15 PM (Monday to Sunday).
Range: €3.9 to €55
Must try: Spicy Roasted Fish (€52.9 or around US$64)

Porcelain jars, modern Asian lanterns, and Chinese wooden dining ensembles, The Old House brought the Chinese cuisine to greater heights to Portugal. The Old House is a distinguished brand in China and they are particularly known for the rigorous standard of recruitment and training. In fact, they held a competition in China to choose 10 chefs that they will bring to Portugal. Those accepted went through Technical and Behavioral training too.

The Old House’s menu consists of pretty much everything Chinese you are craving for. From soups, dim sum, sautéed vegetables, to meat, seafood, they have it all for you. Their menu also only ranges between €3.9 (around US$5) for a small Bing Fen and €55 (around US$66.43) for a whole Peking duck.

8. Attla Restaurante

Photo from Attla Restaurant’s Website

Opening Hours: 7:30 PM to 12 AM (Tuesday to Saturday).
Range: €4 to €18
Must try: chef André Fernandes’ daily special

Over the years, chef André Fernandes worked with Michelin-starred restaurants and restaurants from all over South East Asia and Central America. With his elaborate experience, he set up his brainchild, Attla Restaurante. They offer small international cuisine made with locally-sourced organic ingredients. He also adds creative flair to the ever-changing menu especially with his Italian, Mexican, and Asian influences. The menu also only ranges between €4 (around US$5) for a Beetroot Gaspacho (cold soup) and €18 (around US$22) for a Turbot with Seasonal Vegetables.

9. The Decadente Restaurant and Bar

Photo from The Decadent’s website

Opening Hours: 7 PM to 10:30 PM (Monday to Saturday). Closed on Sunday.
Range: €4 to €15
Must try: Portugal in a Pot (€13 or around US$16)

Set in a cozy restaurant with outdoor dining with a clear roof, The Decadente Restaurant and Bar is one of the go-to places for night outs. In this restaurant, they allow you to experience Lisbon’s laidback nightlife without leaving their roofs. Either you’re in for dinner or drinks, it has a space for you. Also, The Decadente Restaurant’s menu doesn’t require you to pay much. In fact, their dishes only range between €4 (around US$5) for a Grilled Portuguese Salad and €15 (around US$18) for a Sirloin Steak. But their dishes are made of only fine local ingredients and their menu changes based on the ingredients’ availability. They also offer various types of wines, cocktails, and other liquors to pair with your dish.

10. Tasca da Esquina

Photo from Tasca da Esquina’s Facebook

Opening Hours: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM (Wednesday to Sunday)
Range: €4 to 24
Must try: Cod with potato chips and eggs (€12 or around US$15)

Opened in 2009, Tasca da Esquina is an unassuming restaurant that you can find in Campo de Ourique. But, with their dishes, they will take you to greater heights. With the creative flairs of the trio chefs, Vitor Sobral, Hugo Nascimento, and Luis Espadana, you’re always served with the best. Aside from their regular menu of seafood and meat options, they also have weekly dishes. Their main dishes also only range between €11.50 (around US$14) for a Tuna sauteed in Oregano and €24 (around US$29) for a Baked Octopus with tomatoes and sweet potatoes.

11. Prado

Photo from Prado’s website

Opening Hours: 7 PM to 11 PM (Wednesday), 12 PM to 3:30 PM, and 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM (Thursday to Sunday)
Range: €4.2 to €25
Must try: Barrosã beef tartar & grilled Galega cabbage (€5 or around US$6)

Another sought-after restaurant in Lisbon, Prado radiates a calm and chic ambiance. With loads of natural light coming through, it complements the dangling ferns and ivies, as well as the teal and woodworks. The garden-style dining is fitting to chef António Galapito’s farm-to-table fare. Prado’s menu is constantly changing based on seasonal, organic, and fresh ingredients from local producers.

From their website, Prado’s sample menu consists of small but diverse options. It also ranges from €4.2 (around US$5) for a Barbela wheat bread with whipped Iberico pork fat to €25 (around US$30) for a Barrosã rib eye & lettuce salad. They also offer a wine list with only organic, biodynamic, and natural wines.

12. Boi-Cavalo Restaurante

Photo from Boi-Cavalo Restaurante’s Facebook

Opening Hours: 8 PM to 1 AM (Wednesday to Sunday). Closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Range: €4.50 to €40
Must try: Daily six-course meal

A former butcher shop in Alfama, Boi-Cavalo Restaurante is a seven-table restaurant with Scandinavian-inspired woodworks. While it displays a simple interior, Chef Hugo Brito made up for it with his outlandish cuisine. His menu changes every week, depending on the season and availability from local purveyors. But you can expect some inventive dishes with a suckling pig or horsemeat tartare in their six-course menu (€40 or around US$48) and a la carte menu (starts at €4.50 or around US$5.43).

13. Solar dos Presuntos

Photo from Solar dos Presuntos’s Facebook

Opening Hours: 12 PM to 8 PM (Monday to Saturday). Closed on Sunday.
Range: €4.50 to €99
Must try: Black rice with cuttlefish, scallops, prawns, mushrooms, and mussels (€52.50 or around US$63)

With over 40 years of welcoming diners, Solar dos Presuntos is for those who want to taste another version of traditional Portuguese cuisine. To be specific, they serve dishes highly influenced by Monção, which is a district in Viana do Castelo, and its neighboring region of Galicia. Solar dos Presuntos’ menu is leaning towards mid-range diners. Their main dishes range between €14.75 (around US$18) for an Octopus Galician-style and €99 (around US$120) for a kilo of Portuguese Lobster.

14. Boa-Bao

Photo from Boa Bao’s Facebook

Opening Hours: 12 PM to 3 PM and 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM (Monday to Friday). 11:30 PM to 1:30 PM (Saturday and Sunday)
Range: €5.50 to €18
Must try: Peking Duck Bao with Pickled Yellow Radish and Spring Onion (€6 or around US$7)

A 1920’s Saigon Market themed restaurant, Boa Bao takes its diners to the Asian countries without leaving Lisbon. From Indian Curries and Pad Thai to the Taiwanese Gua Bao and Chinese Wonton Noodles, it will let you experience why they’re one of the best restaurants in Lisbon. Boa Bao’s menu offers an array of delicately-made spring rolls, hearty soups, wok stir-fries, and mouthwatering desserts. It ranges from €5.50 (around US$7) for a Pork Belly Bao with Miso Sauce and Japanese Coleslaw to €18 (around US$22) for a Thai Green Curry with Black Tiger Shrimp. On top of these, they also offer vegan and gluten-free variants. So, you can enjoy Asian flavors wholeheartedly. They also serve cocktails, wines, and alcohol-free mocktails.

15. JNcQUOI Asia

Photo from JNcQUOI Asia’s website

Opening Hours: 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM (Monday to Friday)
Range: €6 to €185
Must try: Caramelized Spareribs (€25 or around US$30)

With blinding red and gold interiors and remnants of Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Bangkok scenes, JNcQUOI Asia is a must-add to your list of the best restaurants in Lisbon. When they decided to bring Asian flavors to Portugal, they kind of went overboard and brought the countries with them as well! In fact, their kitchens are also equipped with traditional utensils, wok, and tandoor making sure that the dishes will not lose their locality. Similar to JNcQUOI Avenida, they also have a bar called Red Bar. They also offer outdoor dining and a lavish Sushi Bar, to boot! JNcQUOI Asia’s menu only ranges between €6 (around US$7) for a spicy Vegetable Samosas and €185 (around US$223) for a grilled Wagyu with Yuzu Koshu. They also have a wine list to set the sophisticated vibes.

16. Café de São Bento

Photo from Café de São Bento’s website

Opening Hours: Lunch: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM (Monday to Friday), Dinner: 7 PM to 1:30 AM (Monday to Sunday). Closed every December 24 and 25.
Range: €8.90 to €24.80
Must try: Café de São Bento Steak – Filet Mignon (€24.80 or around US$30)

Nestled near the National Parliament, Café de São Bento sets you to a vintage era with its bleeding red interior and painting collections. Perhaps, that era when aristocrats wear petite coats and smoke tobacco pipes? But aside from its ambiance, many diners flock to Café de São Bento for their tender and juicy Portuguese Steaks. Forget about that dry-aged beef, here they serve the Marrare steak, the recipe of which dates back to the 18th-century.

On your plate, you’ll have a grilled or fried beef poured with cream sauce and with some fries and spinach puree on the sides. You can also choose if you want a Filet Mignon (€24.80 or around US$30) or a Sirloin Steak (€19.80 or around US$24). But aside from steaks, they also serve appetizers like Sheep Cheese (€8.90 or around US$11), Smoked Salmon Carpaccio (€12 or around US$15), and “Pata Negra” Smoked Ham (€13.50 or around US$16.39). They also have dessert and wines to seal the day.

17. JNcQUOI Avenida

Photo from JNcQUOI’s website

Opening Hours: 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM (Monday to Friday)
Range: €9 to €160
Must try: Traditional Codfish Fillet with Cornbread Crust (€29 or US$35)

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Lisbon, you probably have heard of JNcQUOI – Avenida. And you’ve also probably heard that it’s difficult to book a table here. Well, it’s no wonder because it’s not just a simple restaurant with a DeliBar, fresco dining, and a luxury fashion clinic. More than that, it’s an upscale restaurant that puts a lot of attention into making it one of the best restaurants in Lisbon not only in terms of its interior design but also its fare. In JNcQUOI – Avenida’s menu chef António Bóia paraded classic French and Portuguese cuisine made only with superior ingredients. It ranges from €9 (around US$11) for a Creme Brulee to €160 (around US$193) for a Beluga Caviar with blinis. Other dishes on their menu are Sea Bass Ceviche, Alaskan King Crab soup, Duck Confit, and various types of cheese.

18. A Cevicheria

Photo from the A Cevicheria Facebook

Opening Hours: 12 PM to 11 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Range: €11.60 to €37.50
Must try: Ceviche Puro (€11.90 or around US$14.46)

One of the best restaurants in Lisbon, A Cevicheria boasts a fusion of Peruvian and Portuguese cuisine, something that chef Kiko grew up with. He was born in Rio de Janeiro and he moved to Portugal when he was 11 years old. Through the years, he didn’t lose touch with the Peruvian cuisine’s character. With this, he added creative Peruvian flair to Portuguese cuisine.

Located in Principe Real, you will never miss out on this restaurant because of its amusing centerpiece dangling like a chandelier: a gargantuan octopus. With its blue and white design palette, you will get an idea of their menu. Spoiler alert: they are different kinds of ceviche. A Cevicheria’s menu ranges from €11.60 (around US$14.11) for a Ceviche De Thon to €14.70 (around US$18) for a Quinoto De La Mer. But if you find yourself overwhelmed with the choices, you can try their Tasting Menu at €37.50 (around US$46). This is a five-course meal with one dessert and it consists of Ceviches, Causas, Quinotos, Sandwich, and Tacos.

19. Alma

Photo from Alma’s website

Opening Hours: 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM and 7 PM to 10:30 PM (Tuesday to Sunday). Closed every Monday.
Range: €25 to €120
Must try: Alma – chef’s Classic (€120 or around US$45)

In 2009, chef Henrique Sá Pessoa opened Alma in a renovated 17th-century building. The interiors played with wood, stones, and warm lights, which helped set the sophisticated and romantic mood. This two Michelin-starred restaurant primarily serves classic Portuguese dishes with a tinge of Asian influences and his elaborate years of experience. Alma’s menu offers a la carte (starts at €25 or around US$30) and a five-course tasting menu (starts at €75 or around US$91). Although the five-course tasting menu is only available until 1:30 PM (lunch) and 9:30 PM (dinner), they also offer a menu with an array of desserts, wines, and other liquors to complete your dining experience. Don’t forget to dress up well!

20. Epur

Photo from Epur’s website

Opening Hours: 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM (Tuesday to Saturday)
Range: €70 to €160

When chef Vincent Farges decided to bring a French fine dining experience, he made sure to satisfy all your senses. Aside from the scenic view of the Tagus’s ocean, Epur also has a modern and sophisticated setting to satisfy your aesthete. Then, they delight your palate with classic Portuguese cuisine with creative flairs of French and Asian flavors. In Epur’s menu, you can choose whether you fancy a three, four, six, or eight-course meal. The price ranges from €70 to €160 (around US$85 to US$194). If you enjoy pairing your lavish dinner with wine, Epur also has them for you.

Bom Apetite!

Lisbon has a roster of restaurants for whatever you’re craving. Either you’re looking for authentic Portuguese food to celebrate your arrival to the city, or you’re curious as to how international cuisines taste with local ingredients. With this list of 20 best restaurants in Lisbon, we hope that you’ll be able to find that restaurant that will make you visit Lisbon over and over again!