Curator’s statement
I have been lucky enough to visit Lisbon three times now—and each time, I fall a little more in love with the city. At this point, I skip the “top 10 lists” and head straight to my tried-and-true favorites. If you’re planning a trip and want a local-leaning guide with a personal touch, here’s where I’d send a friend.
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Where to stay in Lisbon, Portugal
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Places to eat & drink in Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a food city, full stop. Here are the spots I return to again and again:
Cervejaria Ramiro: My #1 restaurant in Lisbon. It’s lively, the beers are always ice-cold, and the seafood is legendary. Don’t miss the garlic shrimp sizzling in bubbling oil, best scooped up with crunchy bread. We even tried barnacles here once. (Note: They close in August for summer break, so plan accordingly).
Bifanas, Lisbon’s iconic pork sandwich. For the real deal:
O Trevo (cash only, super local, Anthony Bourdain approved).
As Bifanas do Afonso (sadly closed when I went in August).
Penalva da Graça: A true local gem. Unpretentious, tiny, and serving some of the best seafood we had in Lisbon. The sagres beer, tiger prawns, and shrimp were perfect.
Bonjardim: Famous for piri piri chicken. Crispy, juicy, and just the right amount of spice. It’s TikTok-famous, so expect a line—but worth it.
Ribadouro: A fantastic cervejaria (seafood and beer spot). We splurged on the giant hot-and-cold seafood platter, and they even brought out the live lobster before cooking it.
Comoba: A really cute café with excellent coffee and matcha. It’s in a great neighborhood for bopping around to check out local shops, so I usually make it a double stop: caffeine and wandering.
Dallas Burger: Known as Lisbon’s best burger. Honestly, it felt like a high-quality In-N-Out, with great vibes, crispy fresh-cut fries, and yummy dips.
Neighbourhood Lisbon: Social media famous for their breakfast burrito. I tried the meaty version—it was good (not quite California-level burrito, but solid if you’re craving one). The space had a fun NYC café vibe, touristy but tasty.
For wine lovers:
Holy Wine: Cozy, unpretentious, and full of natural wine gems.
Nata Wine: A fun twist: drink wine alongside pastéis de nata (yes, that dream combo exists).
Pastéis de Nata:
Manteigaria: Always a good bet, especially when hot from the oven.
Pastéis de Belém: The OG, the legend, the absolute best. Honestly, stop whatever you’re doing and make your way here. Worth it.
Drinks and nightlife
The Lumiares Rooftop: Perfect at sunset for cocktails with sweeping city views.
Red Frog Speakeasy: One of Lisbon’s best cocktail bars. The drinks are incredibly creative, the atmosphere is sultry and fun, and you’ll definitely need a reservation.
Need to know
Planning tips for Lisbon:
Dinner is late. It’s totally normal for locals to eat dinner at 9:30 or 10 pm. If you book a 7 pm reservation, you’ll likely be the only tourists in the restaurant.
August closures. Many traditional restaurants (like Ramiro) close in August for summer holidays, so always double-check opening times.
Cash is king. Classic bifana spots like O Trevo are cash-only.
Reservations are a must. Book ahead for hotspots like Red Frog Speakeasy and some of the more popular seafood restaurants.
Travel Advisor
Alyssa Gordon
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Lisbon page.