Ultimate Lisbon Food Guide: A Guide To The Must-Try Dishes
Wondering what to eat in Lisbon? This city is a dream for food lovers, blending centuries-old traditions with modern creativity. This Lisbon food guide will help you find the best restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal, hidden gems, and must-eats in Lisbon.
Each neighborhood has its own food vibe—Baixa and Chiado are perfect for classic Portuguese cuisine, Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodré thrive with trendy restaurants, and Alfama serves up soulful dishes with live Fado music. For a local experience, visit Time Out Market or the Mercado de Campo de Ourique to sample some of the best food in Lisbon, Portugal. Let’s dive in!
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👉 Want the full scoop on Lisbon? Check out my Ultimate Guide to Lisbon!
🥘 Must-Try Traditional Dishes in Lisbon & Where to Find Them
Portuguese cuisine is all about bold flavors, fresh seafood, and comforting dishes, and Lisbon is the perfect place to dive in. Whether you’re hunting for the best restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal, or just looking for a quick street food fix, these are the must-eats in Lisbon that you can’t leave without trying!
🥐 Pastel de Nata – The Iconic Portuguese Custard Tart
If you try just one thing in Lisbon, make it a Pastel de Nata. These crispy, caramelized custard tarts are legendary, and while you’ll find them everywhere, not all are created equal. Pastéis de Belém is the OG, baking them since 1837. But Manteigaria and Fábrica da Nata are just as good (some locals even argue better!).
👉 Want to take some home? Check out my Best Souvenirs from Lisbon guide!
🐟 Bacalhau à Brás – The King of Portuguese Codfish Dishes
Portugal has 365 ways to cook bacalhau (yes, a different cod dish for every day of the year!), but Bacalhau à Brás is one of the best. It’s a mix of shredded cod, eggs, onions, and crispy potatoes, and it’s pure comfort food. Some of the best places to eat in Lisbon for bacalhau? Cervejaria Ramiro and Zé da Mouraria.
🥖 Bifana – The Ultimate Portuguese Pork Sandwich
The bifana is the king of Lisbon street food—a simple yet flavor-packed sandwich of thinly sliced pork, marinated in garlic and spices, stuffed into a soft roll. It’s the go-to late-night bite, and you’ll find locals devouring them with a beer. Anthony Bourdain made O Trevo famous, but As Bifanas do Afonso is another top spot.
👉 Walking through the city? Grab a bifana along the way! Check out my Lisbon Walking Routes.
🔥 Sardinhas Assadas – Lisbon’s Grilled Sardines
Nothing screams Lisbon food culture more than grilled sardines. If you visit in June during Festas de Lisboa, you’ll smell them cooking on every street corner. But if you’re not here for the festival, head to Casa da Índia, Ramiro, or Taberna Sal Grosso for some of the best food in Lisbon.
🍤 Arroz de Marisco – Portuguese Seafood Rice
Think of it as Portuguese paella, but richer and creamier, loaded with shrimp, clams, and lobster. If you’re a seafood lover, this dish is non-negotiable. Cervejaria Ramiro, Marisqueira Azul, and Time Out Market serve some of the best seafood in Lisbon, Portugal.
🐙 Polvo à Lagareiro – Octopus Lovers’ Dream Dish
This is grilled octopus perfection—crispy on the outside, tender inside, and drenched in olive oil and garlic. If you’re looking for the best place to eat in Lisbon for octopus, head to Sr. Lisboa, Ramiro, or O Velho Eurico.
🍽️ Best Foodie Neighborhoods in Lisbon
Lisbon is a paradise for food lovers, and knowing where to eat in Lisbon is just as important as knowing what to eat in Lisbon. Whether you’re into historic cafés, seafood feasts, or trendy fusion spots, these foodie neighborhoods in Lisbon are where you’ll find the best restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal.
👉 Looking for a place to stay? Check out Where to Stay in Lisbon to find the best foodie-friendly areas.
☕ Baixa & Chiado – Historic Cafés & Traditional Restaurants
If you’re a fan of classic Lisbon cuisine and pastries, you’ll love Baixa & Chiado. This is where you’ll find old-school bakeries, elegant cafés, and traditional Portuguese restaurants that have been around for centuries. Start your day with a bica (Portuguese espresso) and a pastel de nata at Confeitaria Nacional, one of Lisbon’s oldest pastry shops. A Brasileira is another must-visit, famous for its strong coffee and Art Deco interiors. For a historic meal, Café Martinho da Arcada—Lisbon’s oldest café—is a great spot for lunch in Lisbon with a side of history.
🍷 Bairro Alto – The Ultimate Nightlife & Food Scene
Bairro Alto isn’t just the party district of Lisbon—it’s also one of the best places to eat in Lisbon, especially if you love late-night dining and trendy restaurants. Expect bustling taverns, cozy bistros, and innovative spots blending Portuguese flavors with modern twists. Taberna da Rua das Flores is a must for tapas-style Portuguese food, while Bairro do Avillez offers a more upscale dining experience from one of Portugal’s top chefs. If you want something hip yet relaxed, The Decadente serves some of the best food in Lisbon in a stylish setting.
👉 Bairro Alto is also Lisbon’s nightlife hub! Read more in my Top Things to Do in Lisbon guide.
🌊 Cais do Sodré – Trendy & Riverside Dining
Once a rough port district, Cais do Sodré is now one of Lisbon’s trendiest neighborhoods, packed with hip eateries, seafood spots, and cocktail bars. Time Out Market is a great place to sample a little of everything, featuring some of Lisbon’s best restaurants under one roof. Sol e Pesca, a quirky spot in a former bait shop, serves simple yet delicious seafood dishes like sardines on toast. For a mix of Portuguese and modern flavors, Taberna Moderna is a must.
👉 Want to discover Cais do Sodré’s secret food spots? Check out my Hidden Gems in Lisbon guide.
🥖 Street Food & Markets in Lisbon
Lisbon’s street food scene is as exciting as its restaurant culture. Whether you’re craving a quick bite or looking to explore Lisbon’s best food markets, these spots are perfect for trying authentic Portuguese flavors. Plus, visiting food markets in Lisbon is one of the best free things to do in Lisbon—even if you don’t buy anything, the sights and smells alone are worth the trip!
👉 Want more free experiences? Check out my guide to Free Things to Do in Lisbon.
🍽️ Time Out Market – The Ultimate Foodie Destination
If you’re wondering where to eat in Lisbon and can’t decide, Time Out Market is the answer. This huge food hall in Cais do Sodré brings together some of the best restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal, all under one roof. Must-try stalls include:
✔ Marisqueira Azul for fresh seafood in Lisbon
✔ Manteigaria for legendary pastéis de nata
✔ Prego da Peixaria for the best steak sandwiches in Lisbon
🥑 Mercado de Campo de Ourique – A Local Favorite
For a less touristy food market experience, head to Mercado de Campo de Ourique. This charming indoor market is where locals go for gourmet food, wine, and fresh produce. Unlike Time Out Market, it has a laid-back, neighborhood vibe—perfect for a relaxed lunch in Lisbon.
🐟 Mercado da Ribeira – Traditional Produce & Fresh Ingredients
Attached to Time Out Market, Mercado da Ribeira is one of Lisbon’s oldest markets, where you’ll find fresh seafood, artisanal cheeses, and cured meats. If you’re into cooking in Lisbon, this is the place to stock up on authentic Portuguese ingredients.
🍷 Lisbon’s Best Drinks: Wine, Ginjinha & More
Lisbon isn’t just about the food—the drinks are just as important! Whether you’re sipping on local wines or trying Lisbon’s famous cherry liqueur, here’s what to order:
🍒 Ginjinha – Lisbon’s Signature Cherry Liqueur
A trip to Lisbon isn’t complete without a shot of ginjinha, a sweet cherry liqueur served in tiny glasses (sometimes even in edible chocolate cups!). Best spots to try it:
✔ A Ginjinha – The OG, standing-room only.
✔ Ginjinha Sem Rival – A local favorite, just as legendary.
🍷 Vinho Verde & Douro Wines
Portugal is famous for its wines, and in Lisbon, you’ll find incredible wine bars showcasing everything from crisp vinho verde to rich reds from the Douro Valley. Best places for wine tasting:
✔ By the Wine – A stunning wine bar with a ceiling made of bottles.
✔ ViniPortugal – Great for sampling different Portuguese wines.
💡 Essential Lisbon Food Tips for First-Timers
Eating in Lisbon is an experience of its own, but a few local food tips will help you dine like a pro:
✔ Best time to eat in Lisbon – Locals eat late! Lunch is around 1 PM, and dinner starts from 8 PM to 10 PM.
✔ Tipping in Portugal – Not mandatory, but rounding up the bill or leaving €1-2 is appreciated.
✔ Vegetarian & vegan options – While Portuguese food is heavy on seafood and meat, Lisbon has a growing vegan food scene. Best spots:
✔ O Botanista – Trendy plant-based dishes.
✔ AO 26 – The best vegan francesinha in town.
✔ Eight Health Lounge – Great for smoothie bowls & fresh juices.
👉 For more insider tips, check out my Travel Tips for Lisbon.
🚀 Final Thoughts: Eating Your Way Through Lisbon
Lisbon is a food lover’s dream, from the iconic pastel de nata to grilled sardines and the ultimate bifana sandwich. Whether you’re dining at a top restaurant in Lisbon, Portugal, or grabbing street food at Time Out Market, every bite is a culinary experience.
If you’re planning a trip, check out our Lisbon Itinerary for 3 Days to eat your way through the city. If this Lisbon food guide helped, share it with fellow travelers—because good food is meant to be shared! 🍷✨
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