Eat authentic Portuguese food at these restaurants in Lisbon
Rule number one when choosing where to eat is don’t search for a restaurant while hungry. But that’s easier said than done, right?
You’ll most likely hover over those shiny-looking menus outside restaurants in downtown Lisbon because that’s where pretty much everyone told you to go to, and you don’t feel like overthinking it.
How do you avoid getting lured into a tourist trap? Well, for starters, you can take a look at these suggestions of restaurants in Lisbon with authentic Portuguese food.
O Zé da Mouraria
Typical tasca in the heart of the Mouraria quarter
If the blue-and-white checkered tablecloths, the mismatched tiles, and the walls covered with photos from local Fado singers aren’t enough signs that you’ve stepped inside a typical Portuguese restaurant, then the trays overflowing with homemade-style food sure are.
I can’t think of a local or a tourist who hasn’t heard about this place at least once when asking for restaurant recommendations in Mouraria. It’s so crowded that it took me three attempts to finally score a table for one for lunch (and I wouldn’t mind sharing a table with strangers either if it came down to that).
Portions are generous. If you can’t eat all in one go, they’ll pack it for you. That is if you don’t find it too weird to go back to where you’re staying in Lisbon with leftovers.
Whatever is on the fixed menu is delicious, but you can never go wrong with the daily specials, particularly if arroz de pato (rice with roasted duck) is one of them.
Rua João do Outeiro, 24/26
Noon-4pm Mon-Sat
Average €40 for two people
Recommended to book ahead for large groups
Organi Chiado
Vegetarian restaurant with fresh, seasonal ingredients
Being vegan or vegetarian in Lisbon is not a problem.
Yes, even in the land where bacalhau (salted cod) is king, sardines are queens, and pretty much every single traditional pastry is made with dozen-plus eggs.
As a meat and fish eater, I need a break from all animal protein every now and then, and I like Organi’s approach. Most drinks are organic, and they have a “catch of the day” mentality when it comes to putting together the daily menu.
The first time I ate here, I had the vegan feijoada and loved it so much I actually asked the waiter twice if the dish was 100% vegan (yes, it was).
Calçada Nova de São Francisco, 2
12.30-3.30pm & 7-10pm Mon-Sat
Average €25 for two people
Weather permitting, sit outside
Delfina - Cantina Portuguesa
Contemporary Portuguese cuisine, with a "cooked-by-grandma" feel
Delfina is a typical Portuguese name, the kind our grandmothers or old aunts would have. So Delfina is the embodiment of that spirit, but with the contemporary approach that it deserves.
You see, this is not only a restaurant. This is AlmaLusa Boutique Hotel’s restaurant, where guests and non-guests are welcome from morning to evening.
All ingredients are fresh and seasonal. Most of them sourced from the nearby Mercado da Ribeira every day, which means they will usually have one menu for the Summer and one for the Winter.
When in doubt, order anything from the Delfina’s Choices section on the menu. It’s like Portuguese food with a worldly twist.
Praça do Município, 22
7.30am-11.30pm Every day
Average €40 for two people
The esplanade is not the greatest spot (not much of a view there), but the interior design makes up for it
Read more about where to eat in Lisbon:
2 thoughts on “Eat authentic Portuguese food at these restaurants in Lisbon”
Comments are closed.
The link you have for your top 10 recommendations is not working. Can you please post your list? Thanks!
Hi Jenny! Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. The website changed, but I’ve already updated my post to reflect the updated link: https://thefoodellers.com/en/where-to-eat-out-in-lisbon-like-a-local