How to Eat Your Way Through Lisbon, Portugal

Aesthetically-Pleasing & Instagram Worthy Spots

Javá Rooftop: If panoramic city views are your thing, I'd recommend grabbing some tapas and drinks at Javá Rooftop. Specializing in Mediterranean cuisine, you're bound to get a 2-for-1 deal as you gaze into the beautiful colors of Lisbon city's architecture while biting into some flavorful street-style campechano tacos and sipping on a refreshing mojito. Take a seat inside for a more extensive menu—but not without making a reservation. It gets pretty crowded around sunset.

Miolo: Brunch—but let's make it PINK. You'll definitely want to snap a few photos before you dig into your meal here. Filled with pink decor and floral arrangements hanging from the ceiling, Miolo is a super cute brunch cafe that's surely worth an Instagram post. I enjoyed the Breakfast Bun and a Peach Bellini to start my day. They don't accept reservations, but they do accept furry friends. This pet-friendly and vegan-accommodating shop is a must when in Lisbon.

Get an Authentic Taste of Portugal

Pensão Sisudo: I stopped by this jewel while on a jeep tour through Sintra. For 20 euros, I had the best meal I tasted during my entire stay. As a part of the tour, we could indulge in their 5-course meal including bread, soup, a main course (fish, pork, or vegan option), dessert and a glass of red or white wine, and they even gave us a famous Portuguese Ginjinha (Ginja) shot. Every course quite literally felt like heaven in my mouth with each bite. For reference, I opted for pork as my main dish, chocolate mousse for my dessert and a glass of pinot noir. Yum.

Restaurante Alegria: I stumbled across this place while exploring what was nearby my hotel, the Moxy Lisboa Oriente. Unfortunately, it was closed when I first found it, but I made sure to go back. This small, music-themed restaurant definitely deserves a bit more traffic. My friend and I were the only ones there for dinner and we struggled a bit to order (language barrier), but nonetheless, we received great service and even greater food. We shared steak, rice, and fries. This was the first time I saw a steak garnished with clementines—but I wasn't mad at the citrusy taste. Fun fact: The clementines came straight from the tree outside the restaurant. Fresh is always good!

O Cantinho de Sao Jose: While in an Uber one day during our trip, we asked the driver to give us the name of his favorite restaurant. I like to do this on all of my trips because there's nothing like taking recommendations from a local—doing so very rarely disappoints. It's a family-owned spot and quite small, but it's worth it! We shared a pitcher of red sangria with fresh fruit and I had chicken, salad and fries for my meal. Note that this restaurant, along with many other local ones, does not accept credit cards—so bring your euros.

More is Better—Foodie Galore!

Time Out Market: If you've done any research on what to eat in Portugal, you've probably heard of this place. It's essentially a huge food court filled with different dining options from all kinds of cuisines that make up the culture of Portugal. The choices are typically highly-ranked restaurants that have gained recent popularity among the editorial team at Time Out Portugal. Depending on the success of each restaurant, they can stay in the market for from one week to three years. I decided to try out the Iberian pork cheek and sweet potato mash with a side of a vinaigrette salad from Cozinha da Felicidade. It was amazing! My friend went for some pad Thai from Asian Lab. Delicious.''

Late-Night Cravings

Guacamole: If you're looking for a bite and some drinks in the evening, check out Guacamole. Enjoy Mexican cuisine and tasty margaritas with friends. They have multiple locations, but their Cais do Sodré location is open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for drinks and entrees only. They also deliver!