15 Best Restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal

When you eat at this restaurant—situated in the luxurious Palácio do Governador and named for the Roman amphorae uncovered beneath the site—you'll feel as if you're dining in the vaulted halls of a castle. There's nothing old-fashioned about the food though: Chef Vera Silva has created a spectacular menu of dishes that combine traditional ingredients with modern techniques.

José Avillez, one of the city's most distinguished chefs, has created his own foodie "neighborhood" incorporating a range of dining styles. For formal meals, there's the spectacular Páteo (a wrought-iron balcony encircles the room, which is illuminated by an enormous skylight) and a more casual tavern called Taberna (the kind of place where haunches of ham hang over the bar). Then there's Pizzaria Lisboa, where the thin-crust pies are prepared with great care; and Mini Bar, a secluded and dimly-lit spot for intimate drinks and small plates for sharing. 

Lisbon’s beer halls tend to be noisy, crowded places, but those looking for more sophisticated atmosphere should head to this upscale eatery with towering murals and handsome wood paneling tucked inside the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade hotel. You'll find traditional fish or meat dishes listed on the menu, and they’re served with flair by an attentive staff.

A long-time foodie favorite with a cool, contemporary design, this restaurant has undergone many changes over the decades but continues to impress with its food, drink, and attentive service. Alongside the fish and meat dishes that dominate the menu, there are sophisticated petiscos (appetizers) available from 3 pm. Diners can choose to eat in the handsome dining room or outside on the pretty, tiled terrace. 

Bringing along the famously glitzy chandelier from its much-missed location in Bairro Alto, this cutting-edge restaurant is now located within the cool confines of the Time Out Market in Cais do Sodré. The menu still lists cutting-edge versions of Portuguese classics—tuna with allspice, and a famous açorda, that bread-based stew rich in seafood (the luxury version contains lobster) and flavored with garlic and cilantro.

Although it’s quite spacious and comfortable inside, most people choose to sit at one of the many tables outside facing Restauradores Square. Waiters rush from table to table, mostly serving super fresh seafood and grilled fish and meats.

Seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients are the stars of the show at this chic but relaxed restaurant, where plants hang from the ceiling and contemporary furnishings keep things feeling serene. The presentation is on par with some of the city's most acclaimed restaurants.

You don't need to be a guest at snazzy Chiado hotel The Ivens in order to snag at table at its most glamorous restaurant, but you will need to book in advance: these are some of the most coveted seats in town. Perch yourself on one of the high seats for communal dining and watch the talented mixologists create the perfect cocktail to accompany light sharing dishes like tuna tartare with wasabi pearls and avocado. Negroni lovers are in for a treat: there's an entire menu dedicated to the drink, and the Negroni de Cacau is dangerously delicious. 

This restaurant is a modern spin on Lisbon's traditional fish markets and beer halls, with a dash of Japanese flair. Take your pick from vast glass display cabinets of fish and crustaceans, and have it prepared on the spot in a variety of ways, whether it's dunked whole into the cooking pot or fileted and tossed onto the grill. Alongside the Chiado original, there's a smaller branch inside Time Out market. 

Occupying a bright and breezy downstairs room at the LX Boutique Hotel (there's now a branch in Cascais, too), this sophisticated spot is widely regarded as one of the best places in town to eat sushi. There are vegan and vegetarian options alongside the usual seafood and sashimi.

The inspiration for this restaurant's food comes from Argentina, so expect a beef-heavy menu that has long made it a favorite among Lisbon’s carnivores. You’ll also find fish dishes borrowed from traditional Portuguese cuisine, and a couple of vegetarian options, too.

What you see is what you get at Ribadouro, one of Lisbon's best-known seafood spots: take your pick of the lobster, mantis shrimp, tiger shrimp, whelks, oysters, and clams on display and the staff will create a seafood platter to your specifications. You can dine inside, or at tree-shaded tables and chairs set out at a kiosk on the Avenida, opposite the main restaurant.

Vítor Sobral, one of the country’s most famous chefs, has brought together the vibe of a traditional neighborhood eatery and sophisticated dishes that appeal to modern palates at "Tavern on the Corner." Expect to see fast food favorites like bitoque (lean steak topped with an egg) given a slick modern twist.