Without a doubt, Lisbon is home to some of the top restaurants in Europe and possibly the entire globe.
You'll find traditional restaurants cooking up traditional Portuguese dishes on open-fire grills throughout the city's various neighbourhoods, such as the mediaeval Alfama, the opulent Principe Real, and the bustling Chiado and Baixa. Newer farm-to-table spots and natural wine bars also exist alongside the long-standing, family-owned favourites.
Don't be afraid to say hi over a glass of house wine and some nibbles because locals are outgoing and welcoming and have been welcoming visitors to Europe's sunniest city for the past millennium. On your next visit to Lisbon, eat at these restaurants. We also have a list of the top bars if that's what you're for.
A Provinciana: Best budget-friendly menu
Locals visit Provinciana for their daily special, or prato do dia—the plate of the day—at noon.
Amidst all the tourist traps in the neighbourhood, this family-run restaurant is a hidden gem. While mom Judite is in charge of the kitchen, Américo and his daughter run the front of the home.
Judite prepares a traditional Portuguese cuisine each day. There is chanfana (goat stew) on Tuesdays and arroz de cabidela (chicken with blood rice) on Mondays. The classic Portuguese stew with meat and vegetables, cozido à portuguesa, is served on Thursdays; Wednesdays are for feijoada, a Brazilian stew with beans and meat that has gained popularity in Portugal as well. This restaurant is located near the student accommodation Lisbon. You can easily go there with the help of public transportation.
SEM
Sem offers two dining options: the wine bar and the restaurant, which are both housed in the same building and divided only by a window on a bustling Alfama street where the 28 tram whizzes by. If you want to make a night of it, reserve a seat in the restaurant for their seven-course tasting menu. Alternatively, you can have a more relaxed time at the bar, where there is a smaller food menu listed on a chalkboard. Seasonally, the menu changes, but you can always count on dishes like razor clam escabeche or honey-roasted carrots with pomegranate. A small group of friends, a date or an individual sitting at the bar can all enjoy dinner at this restaurant.
Taberna da Casa do Alentejo: Affordable petiscos
It goes without saying that many students adore Casa do Alentejo. It made to the list of the top-secret eateries in Lisbon that locals adore and that hardly any visitors are even aware of. It is a must-visit and you can always come here with your friends that you have made at your student accommodation.
This historic casino really has two restaurants inside of it, and they're both very good. However, the modest bar downstairs will do just well if you're trying to eat on a budget.
You may order authentic petiscos from the picturesque Alentejo area of south-central Portugal here at a reasonable price. The daily soup costs only a few euros, and when combined with a sandwich, it makes for a really full dinner. You can order the daily special for less than 10 Euros to get greater amounts.
Prado
Lisbon's first farm-to-table restaurant was Prado. It's located in the mountainous Mouraria neighbourhood right next to a historic church from the 12th century and has a limited seasonal cuisine. While you're in town, make reservations at this restaurant as one of your nicer dining experiences. While there, share a number of dishes like the meat tartar sandwiched between dried cabbage, the smoked eel with melon and cucumber, and the Alentejano pig with turnips, as well as a bottle of natural wine. If it's available, you should absolutely cap your evening with the caramel-topped, crispy barley-topped mushroom ice cream.
Rosa da Rua: All-you-can-eat buffet
Rosa da Rua is the place to go if you want a real feast for a reasonable price! This restaurant, which is housed in an 18th-century structure, offers an all-you-can-eat buffet almost every day for lunch and dinner.
Cozido, a typical Portuguese dish created with a combination of vegetables, beef and smoked sausage, is served on Wednesdays. Remember that it is a substantial meal, so if you want to try it, come hungry.
Praia no Parque
Praia no Parque is a popular spot for people to celebrate milestones, have business lunches on the house or just hang out with friends while taking in the extravagant design, which includes a gigantic giraffe hanging over the bar. The menu is packed with dishes like angus ribeye, king crab salad, steak tartar, and oysters, but the atmosphere is anything but stuffy; there are tequila shots on the tables, bottle sparklers, and guests who wave their napkins around while "Sweet Caroline" plays. Due to its popularity, reservations should be made in advance practically every night.