Looking for the Best Restaurants in Lisbon?
Lisbon is a city where food speaks louder than trends. From small, family-run tascas to riverside seafood spots, there’s a vibrant culinary scene waiting to be explored, but only if you know where to look. If you want to avoid the usual tourist-packed eateries and discover places where real Lisboetas eat, the best people to ask are those who walk these streets every day and know them by heart.
Our team at Portugal Guided Tours is passionate about history and monuments. But we’re also proud of the city’s food culture – a culture made of slow-cooked stews, flaky salt cod, and recipes passed down through generations. Over the years, we’ve found the places that serve honest, well-prepared dishes with character, not just presentation.
This guide highlights some of those favorites. Whether you’re craving a comforting plate of bacalhau à brás, curious about regional petiscos, or searching for a plant-based option in a city of meat and fish, here you’ll find places that offer more than just a meal, they offer a taste of Lisbon’s identity.
These suggestions aren’t sponsored, curated for trendiness, or filtered through glossy Instagram feeds. They come straight from the people who eat out in Lisbon weekly, who know which dishes to order and when to go. Ready to eat like a local? Here are our personal picks.
Traditional Portuguese food near Rossio Square
Merendinha do Arco is a no-frills, home-style Portuguese restaurant located in the heart of Lisbon near Rossio Square. It’s a favorite among locals for hearty meals that are as rich in tradition as they are in flavor.
Must-try dishes:
- Bacalhau com grão (salt cod with chickpeas)
- Pataniscas de bacalhau com arroz de feijão (cod fritters with rice and beans)
The atmosphere is always bustling and authentic. It’s the kind of place where the food does all the talking.
Insider tips:
- Open only until 8:00 PM. Ideal for lunch or early dinner
- No reservations accepted. Arrive early to get a table
This is one of the best restaurants in Lisbon for a quick, satisfying, and traditional meal just steps away from the city’s central attractions.
Hidden seafood spot in Lisbon’s Alcântara district
Tucked away near the river in the Alcântara district, O Último Porto is João’s favorite hidden gem for grilled seafood in Lisbon. Although it doesn’t sit right on the waterfront, the freshness of the food more than makes up for it.
Top dishes:
- Freshly grilled fish of the day
- Arroz de polvo (octopus rice)
- Boiled potatoes and salad — classic Portuguese sides
This spot is all about simple, honest food, grilled to perfection and served in a relaxed, down-to-earth setting.
Insider tips:
- Open for lunch only, Monday to Saturday (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
- Closed on Sundays
- No reservations, arrive early
- It’s hidden behind the docks – a true local secret
If you’re seeking seafood that locals swear by, this is one of the best restaurants in Lisbon to check out.
A must-visit tasca for bacalhau lovers
For fans of traditional Portuguese cuisine, especially cod, Zé da Mouraria is a must. It’s one of Lisbon’s best-loved tascas, known for its generous portions, warm service, and truly local vibe.
Signature dish:
- Bacalhau à Zé da Mouraria: a hearty oven-baked salt cod fillet, layered with thinly sliced potatoes and onions, drenched in olive oil, and finished with parsley
- This dish alone is reason enough to visit. It’s rich, comforting, and full of Lisbon flavor.
Insider tips:
- Two locations to choose from:
- Zé da Mouraria (easier to get a table)
- Zé da Mouraria 2 (larger, often busier)
- Next to Zé da Mouraria 2, there’s also a sister restaurant focused on grilled chicken
If bacalhau is on your list, this is easily one of the best restaurants in Lisbon to enjoy it.
The Food Temple — Vegetarian Pick by João
Top vegetarian restaurant in Mouraria, Lisbon
Located in a charming alleyway in the heart of Mouraria, The Food Temple is João’s go-to for vegetarian and vegan cuisine in Lisbon. It’s cozy, creative, and community-focused.
What to expect:
- A frequently changing menu centered around seasonal vegetables
- Global flavors made with local Portuguese ingredients
- A warm, intimate setting with shared seating
Insider tip:
- Go early to get a seat. Space is limited and it fills up quickly
With its innovative plant-based menu, this is easily one of the best restaurants in Lisbon for vegetarians looking for something authentic and different.
Best sunset dinner spot across the river from Lisbon
For an unforgettable dining experience with a view, Ponto Final is Sofia’s top recommendation. Located in Almada, just across the river from Lisbon, this restaurant offers classic Portuguese dishes and stunning views over the Tagus, especially at sunset.
Must-try dishes:
- Caldeirada de peixe (traditional fish stew)
- Grilled seafood and rustic starters
- Homemade desserts paired with house wine
How to get there:
- Take the Cacilheiro ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas (10 minutes)
- Walk 15–20 minutes along the riverside toward the base of the 25 de Abril Bridge
Look for the iconic yellow chairs — that’s Ponto Final
Insider tips:
- Go early in the evening — best tables and dishes go quickly
- Reservations are highly recommended, especially for sunset
If you’re looking to combine stunning views with amazing food, this is one of the best restaurants in Lisbon, even if it’s just across the river.
Eat like a local with Portugal Guided Tours
Exploring Lisbon means more than ticking off monuments and viewpoints. It’s also about sitting at the right tables, tasting dishes with history, eavesdropping on local chatter, and feeling the rhythm of the city through its food. At Portugal Guided Tours, we believe that to truly understand Lisbon, you need to experience it with all your senses, and that includes your appetite.
Our food tours are led by passionate locals who know the city’s culinary landscape like the back of their hand. These aren’t guides reading from a script, but people who live here, who grew up around these flavors, and who still choose these spots on their own time. With them, you’ll discover places that don’t advertise, don’t cater to mass tourism, and don’t need to, because the quality speaks for itself.
From tiny tascas where lunch service runs like clockwork, to hole-in-the-wall seafood joints that grill today’s catch without fuss, and even vegetarian kitchens tucked away in narrow alleys. We’ll take you to the kind of restaurants that locals return to again and again.
This is a curated experience through Lisbon’s most genuine flavors and the stories behind them. You’ll learn what makes each dish special, how to spot a real local eatery, and why Lisbon’s food culture is one of the richest, and most underappreciated in Europe.
If you want to go beyond the menus written in English and step into the real Lisbon, we’d love to show you around. Join us for a tour, eat like a local, and leave with memories worth savoring. Book now with Portugal Guided Tours.
Come curious. Come hungry.