The best restaurants Lisbon

No one suspects what is inside this building whose walls are covered with mirrors at the entrance. When you enter, you immediately notice his bar. Particularity of the place: it has kept the concrete arches that date back to the 1950s and blend in perfectly with the decor. The menu is very complete with fish and meat dishes and options for vegetarians. Grilling is one of the specialities. Desserts are not to be outdone and we recommend the caramel cake with its hazelnut ice cream. A delight!

The rua da Silva is a small, hidden street where nature has reclaimed its rights. There are plants on every balcony and in front of every door. On this street you'll find several restaurants and bars, including A Obra. It has a small, beautifully decorated room where wood dominates. Soft lighting creates an intimate atmosphere. The menu changes regularly and offers petiscos and main courses. There's something for every taste, and you'll find it hard to choose. How about zucchini with homemade pesto and parmesan? And don't forget to try the desserts!

Situated on the corner of the street, this pastaria is so small that you might hesitate to enter. To attract customers, she has put newspaper articles in her window extolling the virtues of her empanadas. It's not false advertising, they're really very good and come in all sorts of different flavors (tuna, meat, mozzarella, vegetables, etc.). On the sweet side, she also has a whole range of cakes, all homemade. So don't hesitate to stop off and buy some snacks to take away and eat at the Príncipe Real garden.

This restaurant offers a taste of the cuisine of Macau, a former Portuguese colony. Although not widely available here, this cuisine has a lot to offer. Here, you'll discover a fusion of Chinese and Portuguese flavors, while retaining its authenticity. Chef Xico will prepare your dishes: cassava fries, minchi (the restaurant's star dish, a variation on bitoque), eggplant simmered in spicy coconut milk. For dessert, you can tryaluà made with sweet potato, coconut and almonds.

At the Martinhal Hotel, Terrace offers guests a new culinary experience. Each day has its own theme, and on Sundays, it's brunch for everyone. The restaurant is kid-friendly, so don't worry if you're traveling with the family. And as well as eating well, there's a whole host of entertainment on offer, including live cooking, children's entertainment and live music. In terms of food, you'll find the classics as well as Asian and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, grills and nuggets.

Immerse yourself in an atmosphere worthy of a Bollywood film when you dine at Chutnify, which offers contemporary Indian cuisine. A typical South Indian dish is served: dosas! These are thin, crispy Indian pancakes made from lentils and chickpeas, with a choice of fillings. To our knowledge, this is the only place in Lisbon where you can find them. To accompany your meal, you have the classic lassi, but also cocktails. The concept is so successful that it has now been exported to Cascais.

One of Lisbon's gardens, carefully guarded behind large gates. O Jardim is the second restaurant of the man who calls himself Sr Lisboa. You can choose to eat on the pretty patio or in the room, where wood predominates for a warm ambience. The concept here is more about sharing food, and the portions aren't very big, so you'll probably have to take several per person. On the other hand, the dishes are of the highest quality, with a presentation worthy of a gourmet restaurant.

It's hard to walk past it without noticing how colorful and warm the decor is, definitely reminiscent of Mexico. However, a closer look reveals that Frida Kahlo is surrounded by Japanese camellias and that there are sake jars on the wall. The restaurant's cuisine is a blend of Mexican and Japanese flavors. Once again, Chef Kiko proves that he knows how to mix flavors.

Inspired by French brasseries, this establishment is nestled in the heart of the Cais do Sodré district. Here, you can enjoy dishes such as their famous Bife (Steak) à Brilhante, comfortably seated at the central counter surrounding the open kitchen. The recipe for this dish is inspired by the Lisbon classic Bifteck à Marrare: a specialty in the famous cafés of the ^19th century, and now back with a recipe perfected by chef Luis Gaspar and his team. Be sure to stop by the mirror bar before or after your meal.

For a long time, Lisbon had no real Japanese cuisine on offer. That's now a thing of the past, with several good restaurants including this one, located on a street parallel to Avenida Liberdade. Like a real Tokyo-style stall where you come for a quick bite at the counter, the place is very small, with just 3 tables. We strongly advise you to make a reservation if you can. The storefront is also typical, with small curtains at the entrance. There's a wide choice of ramen, all traditional recipes.

Simplicity and regularity, these are the two qualities that, according to its creator Yin, make Panda Cantina such a success. This is the first establishment to open in 2018, but there are now four others in different parts of the capital. The principle is simple: mainly ramen dishes. Small, welcoming places where you can eat at the counter. You're served in less than 15 minutes and everything is ultra-fresh. It's a sure bet if you want to eat Asian food in Lisbon. What's more, you can choose your level of spiciness from 0 to 5.

The promise of a really good burger without any animal cruelty, that's what Kendrick offers us. The owner comes to us from Bordeaux and had already spent 3 years in Lisbon working on other projects in the events industry, before launching out on his own. His vegetarian burgers look and taste just like traditional burgers. All ingredients are carefully selected for the highest quality. As for the atmosphere, it's a trendy one, with its industrial-style decor and rough-hewn walls.

The factory is in Campolide, but it's now in Graça that you can discover and taste the empanadas made by Carolina Cifuentes and Gaston Costa. There are a few tables on site, but you're more likely to buy these typical Argentinean turnovers to go (although the recipe here is of Portuguese origin). Stuffing-wise, there are plenty of options: vegetarian, mozzarella and tomato, chicken or the traditional Argentine meat recipe. For those with a sweet tooth, there's also the famous spread whose name we won't mention.

A historic restaurant in town, in existence since 1930, changing owners from time to time. Here, hams are hung for customers to see, and on the wall is an attractive collection of wooden clocks. You'll find all the hallmarks of a proper tasca, including the prices. Incidentally, that's why there's a queue outside, as it's not always easy to get a table - the place isn't very big. In any case, this is an address to remember for an inexpensive meal in the midst of the touristy restaurants.

At Pica-Pau, you'll find the whole Portuguese culinary tradition on your plate! With a team led by Chef Luis Gaspar, winner of the Chef de l'Avenir award in 2023, it offers a menu of emblematic dishes such as Bacalhau à Brás, Cozido à Portuguesa or Arroz de Tamboril e Camarão. Located in the heart of the Principe Real district, the establishment welcomes its customers in a room with a refined but cosy decor, where the vegetation is very present. The perfect place to travel from north to south without leaving Lisbon.

This restaurant, in the heart of Alfama, not far from the cathedral, offers atypical cuisine, as its owners like to say. Inside, you'll find a typical Lisbon atmosphere, with calçadas on the floor and beautiful wooden tables for a rustic touch. On your plates: cabbage tempura with kimchi, or mille-feuille with pastel de nata and cinnamon ice cream... You can also opt for a wine tasting package, which includes five wines and five tapas whose ingredients are related to the region of the wine tasted.

Here's a restaurant that the Michelin Guide has also taken notice of, and it's easy to see why. It overshadows José de Avillez's restaurant, located almost directly opposite. On the menu, you'll find dishes from Portuguese gastronomy, but whose presentation will surprise you. There's also a slight Mexican influence, due to the fact that the chef used to work at Hoja Santa in Barcelona (now closed). The decor emphasizes the location in the former Trinidad convent, but also has a contemporary feel.

This restaurant focuses on the classics, without trying to revisit Portuguese cuisine. In the heart of the Mouraria, it makes sense to stick to tradition. Chef Sandra Carvalho prepares dishes such as octopus (which we recommend, as it's unanimously acclaimed by customers) and duck with moscatel reduction. They also have a fine selection of Porto wines to drink by the glass after the meal. The cosy setting creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Meat lovers will be delighted with this address. Chef Luís Gaspar serves matured meat to delight your taste buds. The menu offers a variety of cuts (flank steak, rump steak, entrecôte, filet, chateaubriand, T-bone...). To accompany your meat, you can choose from a range of sauces and accompaniments. The decor has a bistro feel, with leather banquettes and wooden tables. You can also eat at the counter.

Set in an inner courtyard, Aprazível welcomes you away from the hustle and bustle of Chiado. It offers a selection of traditional Portuguese dishes and a collection of signature cocktails, which you can enjoy on the terrace in an intimate, relaxed atmosphere. Inside, the space has been specially decorated to create a warm and relaxing environment. An ideal restaurant for a stroll through downtown Lisbon, where you can enjoy good food and relax.

Basilio is another address of I love Nicolau. With their first address opened in 2016, the success allowed them to open other locations, including Basilio. Dedicated to brunch lovers, this restaurant-café hopes to satisfy them at any time of the day. Brunch is no longer reserved only for Sundays as it often is, but it is now possible every day! On the menu: burgers, toasts, pancakes but also salads and various pastries. Enough to delight the greediest among us.

A restaurant based more on a cantine-self-service or takeaway concept, but with a wide variety of vegetarian and healthy dishes. Perfect for a change from the typical Portuguese dishes that can sometimes be a bit heavy. Ideally located in central Lisbon, it's easy to find. You'll find burgers, salads, pasta dishes, soups and sweet and savory snacks. At lunchtime, it's a popular spot for people who work in the area. A good option for a cheap meal.

A small bistro has opened just at the foot of theelevador da Bica . It awaits you with its two tables on the terrace and its lawn-like carpet, for a bucolic touch. This establishment is held by the owner of the fire Arco da Velha, an address very known by the Lisbon people. We hope that this place will be as good as the previous one. A real bistro cuisine: salads, burgers, tapas Portuguese style, cheese tables or charcuterie. It is located a little behind the main street, which allows to enjoy being outside.

A good address a little hidden, far from the rush of the city center. As its name indicates, petiscos are waiting for you. We are in the true Portuguese tradition: octopus salad, choco frito, peixinhos d'horta or the very famous chorizo assado. All this at very reasonable prices. In a modern decor and with only 20 seats, the place is intimate and you will surely have to reserve to have a table. The desserts are homemade, so we advise you to keep some space to taste them.

This restaurant-cafeteria doesn't really have a street corner. It's located inside a courtyard with a superb fresco by artist Vhils. Vegetarian and even paleo cuisine is served here. Dishes that are full of color and flavor. The place is pet-friendly, so it's ideal if you have pets. The courtyard is very pleasant and creates a cosy atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood. Inside, colorful furniture and an azulejo-covered counter add to the cheerful atmosphere.

It's part of the same group as Segull Method, Heim Café and Pomme Eatery. This restaurant offers Greek cuisine. Right next to the jardim da Estrela, it's a great place to eat before or after a stroll in the park. Exposed stone walls, amphorae on the shelves, everything is done to immerse us in the atmosphere. The menu is more in the form of tapas to share, and you'll find the famous Greek salad, pita bread, halloumi, tzatziki, moussaka... As for the wines, they come from both Greece and Portugal.

Its name comes from a small village near Tel Aviv. Situated on a hidden street in the Bairro Alto, a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the bars, this restaurant is nonetheless very popular and always full. Owners Elad and Itamar offer Middle Eastern cuisine such as shakshuka, which has its own section on the restaurant menu. For dessert, there's halva of course, but also malabi. Reservations are essential. On weekends, they offer brunch at lunchtime.

Once is not customary, we can make an infidelity to the Portuguese kitchen and make a small escapade in Latin America, in Argentina to be more precise. Here you are in the kingdom of the empanada, this small turnover filled with various ingredients. You'll have them with meat (beef or chicken), but also with vegetables and even vegan versions. To accompany this, a list of cocktails and a wine list. The space is small with a few tables outside. So you'll have to arrive early to get a seat or take out.

Located at the very top of Bairro Alto, where chef Kiko's restaurant O Asiático once stood, Rosamar invites you to take a voyage on the waters of the ocean. In fact, here you'll find nothing but seafood and vegetarian cuisine. We love the decoration on the walls, with a variety of illustrations and posters that plunge you straight into the maritime atmosphere. You'll be able to enjoy seafood as well as fish dishes, salads and ceviches served in original ways like the Tuna Tostada.