The last six years or so have seen Lisbon become one of Europe’s most sought-after – and delicious – European destinations.
Once famed merely for its custard tarts, the famous pasteis de nata, Portugal’s gastronomy is finally being recognized on a world stage – and for good reason. Its capital city’s food is fresh, innovative, and affordable.
Being on the coast ensures Lisbon is never short of freshly caught seafood. This is best enjoyed at a local tasca, laid-back restaurants that serve modern twists on Portuguese classics, which are enjoying a resurgence right now. With menus scribbled in chalk on the walls and a focus on fresh and local produce, tascas are humble yet charming.
Breakfast and Brunch
When it comes to breakfast and brunch, plenty of delicious options are scattered throughout the city. Pick up one of Lisbon’s famed custard pastries, pasteis de nata, from a historic bakery in the old district of Alfama. If you want seats and Wi-Fi, you have several locations offering up the usual egg combos as well as pancakes topped with caramel, banana and pecans, or crispy bacon and mascarpone.
In Anjos, Maria’s Food Hub is flooded with light and adorned with colorful artwork – boasting a creative menu that will keep you satisfied all day long. Try the tasty Octopus Tapenade toast (served with a salad) or the protein-packed Shakshuka Verde (eggs, sweet potato, bell peppers and green sauce).
Coffee
In Lisbon, you can find espresso coffee with a drop of milk (known as a cafe pingado) for under a euro at just about any café or kiosk. Try one at one of the city’s miradouros, viewpoints with panoramic views that illustrate why Lisbon is known as “the city of seven hills.” If you seek specialty coffee, options abound in the digital-nomad hub of Santos, featuring coffee from producers in Honduras and natural wines.
Lunch
Lunchtime might be the best opportunity to enjoy some of Lisbon’s more popular spots. A tightly packed cubbyhole known for its flavor-filled small plates is well known to both tourists and locals. Grab a classic dish such as shrimp with garlic, oxtail, or cod tongue with pea purée.
For seafood lovers, a famed three-story institution serves clams, scarlet shrimp, and crab weighed by the kilo. Be prepared to queue for a table during high season if you arrive without a reservation.
Aperitivo
Just off the well-heeled road of Avenida da Liberdade, a unique jungle-themed bar serves drinks as vibrant as the décor. Specializing in agave and sugarcane concoctions, the bartenders exhibit precision in their cocktail-making. Try the Aztec Mystic, which offers chocolatey notes that perfectly complement the tequila, tamarind rum, and pear – or grab an In The Dark, made from a perfectly balanced mix of strawberry, miso tomato, black rice, and tequila.
Dinner
A low-ceilinged tavern features an ever-changing menu scrawled on a blackboard, showcasing tasty small-plate versions of classics such as codfish cakes and chicken.
If you’re looking for something fancier, consider a waterside restaurant offering a unique ambiance, where diners can watch chefs prepare exquisite dishes. With two tasting menus featuring beautifully presented dishes like Azores amberjack fish, prawn amuse-bouche, and melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu beef, this is a phenomenal dining experience indeed.
Bars
In Lisbon, there’s no shortage of quirky bars to enjoy an evening. For natural wines and a very cool vibe, a popular venue boasts more than 40 different varieties of natural wines. You can kick back under bright red lighting, sipping on a vinho verde while enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
For a unique evening experience, visit an antique-filled bar situated in one of Lisbon’s crowded party areas. The revelry is spread over multiple rooms within an old grocery store overflowing with vintage bric-a-brac. You can join locals and tourists alike with a craft beer, wine, or cocktail in hand and sit beneath sparkling chandeliers filled with character.
