Wondering where to eat in Lisbon for authenticity and culture, not to mention a happy stomach? Listen to the experts, local food writers. Here’s our inside guide on where locals eat in Lisbon, Portugal. For the best areas to stay in Lisbon, head here.
Lisbon Restaurants Where Locals Eat
Over the years, I’ve eaten many meals in Lisbon. Better yet, I’ve befriended food writers, chefs and plenty of Lisbon locals. This article is something of a labour of love for the city and is, in part, dedicated to them. Let’s get to it…Our tasty local Lisbon food guide.
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First Impressions on Finding Where to Eat in Lisbon
Breathless, sweaty and most definitely ready for food, I pushed open the glass door and stumbled inside.
“Are you still serving?” I asked, the words more direct than usual.
A man walked towards me, in black against the white walls, varnished wood and chic-hipster vibe I’d pretended to ignore in case we didn’t fit in.
“But of course,” he replied, before spotting the pushchair and paraphernalia behind me.
“Oh…” he took a breath and paused. What was Lisbon’s response going to be when travelling with kids? I braced myself. But then things continued.
“Perhaps you’d prefer to sit by the box of toys. She can use our trike if you’d like. It used to belong to my daughter.
“Green wine? Some tosta de queijo mel e nozes? It is bread with cheese, honey and nuts.”
And so our heartwarming journey into finding where to eat in Lisbon began.
Where Locals Eat in Lisbon
Bookmark these suggestions on where to eat in Lisbon like a local.
Breakfast
Café Versailles – yes, it has a French vibe and we’re talking about eating in Lisbon but it’s an atmospheric haunt and beloved by loyal locals. Pastries galore, character in fin de siecle abandon. Find Pastelaria Versailles on Avenidas Novas.
A Padaria Portuguesa – Am I recommending a chain? Yes, indeed I am. A chain it may be but it’s certainly a Portuguese chain that provides plenty of Lisbon restaurants where locals eat. A good stop for breakfast or a mid morning snack. Found throughout the city.
Tivoli Avenida Liberdade Hotel – for the view. The breakfast buffet is top notch but it’s the view that steals the show. Found on Av. da Liberdade 185, 1269-050 Lisboa.
Lunch and Dinner
Cervejaria Ramiro – near Independiente. The queues were like Oxford Street on Boxing Day so head here early and be prepared to wait! Recommended by Eat Like A Girl and Celia Pedroso, it’s rumoured to serve the best seafood in Lisbon. Av. Alm. Reis 1, 1150-038 Lisboa.
Prado – lots of fresh vegetables, often a novelty when eating out in Portugal! Recommended by Food and the Fab.Find on Tv. Pedras Negras 2, 1100-404 Lisboa,
Banca de Pau, a tapas-oriented restaurant specialising in food from Tras os Montes in the north. Try the green wine and dip bread into olive oil. Very friendly. R. Nova de São Mamede 38A, 1250-236 Lisboa.
Graca 77 – fresh vegetarian food and azulejos tiles, with a spectacular view from the square outside. Largo Graça 77, 1170-165 Lisboa.
Cervejaria Liberdade – a fine dining take on Portuguese classics in the most fashionable part of town. Expect grilled meat that’s absolutely delicious. Found onAv. da Liberdade 185, 1269-050 Lisboa
Top Tips for Eating Out in Lisbon
Watch Out for Opening Times
Where to eat tip: Lisbon is not a 24 hour city and that’s part of its charm. Most restaurants serve dinner between 8 – 11pm although you may be able to dine earlier in some of the hotels.
Book Ahead or Drift By?
Where to eat tip: many restaurants in Lisbon don’t have websites and it can be difficult to book ahead. Part of the game, part of the game!
Famous Places to Eat in Lisbon
Hey – I thought this was supposed to be an article on where locals in Lisbon? Never fear. It is. But firstly, sometimes even local people head out to these spots, if only out of curiosity. And secondly, these are really good!
The Time Out Market
“If it’s good it goes in the magazine, if it’s great, it goes in the market.” So proclaims the Time Out Market (yes, it’s that Time Out,) also called the Mercado da Ribeira.
The Time Out Market has an ear for a zingy slogan and an eye for a cool ideas: showcasing the city’s different flavours beneath one roof and with one aesthetic. Stalls use matching fonts on monochrome fabric and diners throng on shared tables in the centre of the hall.
This characterful commotion made life difficult with a baby, but the playground gave us other options.
Inside, discover vegan dishes, fish, seafood, and Lisbon’s surprise favourite of chicken in a piri piri sauce.
Home of the Pasteis de Nata: Belem
Another staple on the foodie scene is the home of the first pastel de nata, the Pasteis de Belem.
Uninspiringly described as egg custard tarts, these Portuguese sweet treats don’t look much better either.
But don’t let appearances fool you. Even for non-pastry lovers like myself (I’m even “meh” about croissants,) they won me over. The pastry is light yet tough, the filling delicately flavoured.
You’ll find them everywhere, now, from fine dining establishments to chain kiosks on the underground and it seems chefs can’t go wrong.
But Pasteis de Belem is the famous one and rumoured to be the best, so if you have an appetite for queues and a hunger for pasteis then fire up your Google Maps and go.
Where to Eat in Lisbon with a View
As you’d expect from a city clustered around seven steep hills, Lisbon excels in vistas and rooftop bars.
Cocktails and A Slick Skyline
The Sky Bar is open to all, serving cocktails like the Snowberry with port, lime juice, egg white and cinnamon. The sea glittered to order on the horizon and the leaves of Lisbon’s “Champs Elysees,” Avenida Liberdade, fluttered with self-conscious glamour below. It’s a bright white, cool cat kind of a place, with light bites to match.
Street Food Near Central Lisbon
Take a tram or steep stride uphill to Jardín de São Pedro de Alcântara. This beautiful viewpoint in Bairro Alto comes to life in the evening with a series of food stalls and music where locals and tourists mingle alike.
Skyline from Alfama
Vegetarian Graca 77 captures this through its watercolours but wears the 21st century in its reinterpretation of Portugal’s trademark azulejo tiles. You won’t actually get the view from the eatery, but from the square just outside. The local flavours make it worth making a journey for, where streets are even narrower, even steeper, even more cobblier than the rest. Don’t miss the Caldo Verde on the menu, a classical cold green soup with collard greens, sweet potato, onion and garlic. Found at Graca 77, Largo Graça 77, 1170-165 Lisboa
The Best Part About Eating in Lisbon
I keep coming back to that tomato salad at the Banca de Pau.
With its fresh, great flavours and the man who lent his daughter’s trike.
It was like finding friends in the city. An experience so good we went there twice, once bringing our Lisbon-local friend with us.
And the whole thing reminded me of a long-held truth: no matter how hard you plan, sometimes it pays to make mistakes.
And that it’s the people that make up the best in everything.
Lisbon Food Tours
If working out where to eat in Lisbon seems like a lot to do in a little time, then consider taking a food tour. Not only do you find delicious places to eat, you’ll also learn a great deal about the city and the Portuguese as you go. They’re also easier on the stomach than full tasting menus every day.
Culinary Backstreets run a range of Lisbon Food Tours. Look out for the one by Celia Pedroso – her recommendations have never let me down! Devour Lisbon also run food and culture tours in the city.
A quick word about ovelha curado and presunto
Commonly brought out while you choose your main dish, the tangy cheese ovelha curado and its sidekick presunto ham taste amazing but come with an irritating trait. These quintessential Portuguese dishes are presented as though they’re a gift from the chef but actually there’s a hefty fee.
On the rebound from my pregnancy soft cheese ban, I relished every chance I could get. If that’s not you, however, then speak up the moment it arrives to send it back.
- Find the best. Try the seafood restaurant café at the five star Tivoli Avenida Liberdade. The ham melted softly and the cheese bore the salty-smooth twang with the all the delicacy of a baggage handler at Heathrow. As in, it was strong and I loved it.
More Travel Tips and Travel Guides for Portugal and Spain
- Unique things to do in Porto, Portugal
- Hiking the wild coast of Costa Vicentina
- Authentic things to do in Portugal.
- How to find the best tapas bars in Seville
- How to plan the best 10 day Spain and Portugal itinerary
- Why are the cork trees in Portugal so important?
- Enjoy reading books about Portugal and delve into some Portugal travel writing.
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What did you think about this guide on the restaurants where locals eat in Lisbon? Anywhere to add? We’d love to hear about it!
Disclosure: Some of the other recommendations were hosted, some were not, but all were only included because I like them and would gladly do them again.