Best food in Lisbon
Breakfast ☕️
If you think about breakfast in Lisbon first thing that has to come up in your mind are the Pasteis de nata, their famous tarts with cream inside and sold in every bakery or bar.
The most famous place is a little bit outside the city and is called "Pasteis de Belem", in Belem, 15 minutes out of Lisbon. Here is the only place that has the original recipe bought from the monks, they're the only one allowed to call the tarts in this way, and the recipe is, of course, secret. The place is huge but there will always be the cue to find a table, but usually is never too long. My suggestion is to seat, order at least a couple of Pasteis de Belem for each person, something to drink and, if you want, also to try other Portuguese specialities like the Bolo de arroz, Madalena, Travesseiro or Queque.
The second place I recommend is called "Manteigaria". For many people they have the best Pasteis de Nata in the city of Lisbon and I agree with them. They have more spots around the city and usually they only have standing places. The particularity is that it's like an open kitchen, so you can see the workers prepare the tarts right in front of you. My favorite ones are in Praca Camoes or in Rua Augusta.
Always in Rua Augusta you can find another one of my favorite ones. It's called Nata de Lisboa and also has seats on the street where to enjoy your breakfast. I like this place because it has many different flavors of the Pasteis de Nata, like chocolate, pistacchio, cocoa and many more. If you want to try something different this is the perfect place for you, right in the center of the city.
If you want to try something different or to have a bigger breakfast you can go to "Dear Breakfast" in Chiado, so still in the city center but in a secondary street. Here you can have you full breakfast in one of the most instagrammable spot.
While if you like history and books you must try Cafè a Brasileira. Built with an Art Deco style it was home for many Portuguese writers, like their most famous Fernando Pessoa, who wrote some of his masterpiece right here. Of course this place is a little bit more expensive and chaotic than the previous ones, but it worth a visit.
Lunch 🌯
Eat in Lisbon is not expensive, you can have a full meal for 15€ or even less, so it's up to you to decide if you want to eat in a restaurant or to eat something quick or to buy something in a supermarket. Be careful to avoid the tourist traps just like in every other cities and remember, the Paella is a Spanish dish, not a Portuguese one.
When I'm in Lisbon my favorite spot for lunch is called "A Provinciana", it's a typical and local "tasca" also if in these years it's becoming always more popular. Here you can taste the real Portuguese cuisine for the right price in a familiar habitat. Their best dishes are the sardines, delicious.
If the previous restaurant is full and the waiting time is too long you can easily choose the restaurant next to it, called "Girasol". Usually this one is less touristic and more selected by the locals, the food is just as good as the other one and also the prices are similar, so you can still taste some authentic Portuguese cuisine for the fair price.
Before to continue with the restaurants I want to suggest you a place for a quick lunch, it's called "As Bifanas do Afonso" and here you can find one of the best Bifana in the city. A Bifana is a Portuguese sandwiches made with thin slices of pork that are marinated and simmered in a sauce of white wine, garlic, and paprika and served on soft rolls with plenty of mustard and piri-piri sauce.
Dinner 🍽️
Remember that you're in Portugal and not in Spain, so you want to have dinner out you don't have to go too late, or you could find some kitchen closed, usually they have dinner between 19.30-21.30/22 max.
The first place I want to recommend you is, unfortunately, one of the most famous in Lisbon, but it's really really good and with an amazing view. Ponto Alto is located on the other side of the river, in Cachillas, and can be reached with the ferry boat or with the car. Here you can have dinner on the river shore admiring the sunset and the bridge, an amazing experience. The food is typical and really good but, of course, a little bit overpriced.
For the dinner the best neighborhood is Alfama, here you can find small and local restaurant with amazing food and fair price.
One of this is called Lisbon Tu e Eu, it's a tiny but charming place where to eat local food and enjoy a typical Portuguese experience, the sardines are extremely good.
Other similar restaurants are:
If you want to eat hamburgers you must go to MBH in Alvalade, it's like 10/15 minutes out of the city center but it's simply the best hamburger in the city. Fresh ingredients, incredible mix and the meat is unbelievable. The owner is really funny and will help you to find the best burger for you. This could also be an opportunity to visit other neighborhoods.
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