Restaurants & bars

Feat photo by Hotel Roma Lisbon might not be the first city that comes to mind when one thinks of a Christmas getaway. The chances of a white Christmas are slim to none, and for many, this southern European capital means only sunny warm weather and summer vibes. However, there are many reasons why this…

Feat photo by Expresso When we think about Portugal’s culinary scene, Lisbon and Porto often come to mind as the epicenters of gastronomic innovation. However, beyond these major cities lies a wealth of extraordinary dining experiences, crafted by chefs whose passion for Portuguese cuisine is redefining what it means to eat well in our country….

  Torres Vedras, just a short drive from Lisbon, offers a good glimpse into the diversity of Portuguese life. Far from being a mere satellite of the capital, it’s a town with a rich history where the verdant landscapes of the Oeste region include vineyards, ancient fortifications, and sandy beaches, which for many of us…

  ​Lisbon’s food scene is full of new energy thanks to a bunch of talented young chefs. They’re taking classic Portuguese dishes and giving them a modern twist, mixing in global influences and their own unique ideas. This new approach respects tradition but also makes it exciting and relevant for everyone. In this part of…

  Just a short drive from Lisbon, Vila Franca de Xira presents an inviting day trip destination that is massively overlooked both by international travelers and even locals in the Portuguese capital. This picturesque town, located along the banks of the Tejo River, opens a window to Portugal’s traditional countryside, particularly interesting for those who…

  In any given Lisbon cafe, you’ll come across a delightful assortment of salgados, that is, savory Portuguese snacks, often on display at the counter, tempting those who came in for something to drink and that soon enough may find themselves nibbling on a crunchy fritter. Amongst options that no one would think twice about…

  We firmly believe that, when you are enjoying a great meal, the finale, usually a sweet one, is as crucial as the opening act. Despite the praise very commonly given these days to head chefs at famous restaurants, pastry chefs rarely receive the same recognition. Often, the phrase “restaurant X by chef Y” leaves…

  While in Lisbon you may forget the notion of food trucks as places for just a quick bite on the go. Of course these options do exist and, as much as we’d love to, there isn’t always enough time for a leisurely meal. But, in recent years, particularly thanks to tourism, our city has…

  Setúbal, located a brief journey south of Lisbon, is a captivating destination for those passionate about both cuisine and scenic views. Positioned at the serene estuary of the Sado River and close to the stunning Arrábida Natural Park, Setúbal presents a rich blend of natural beauty and a bustling culinary scene.  Besides being famous…

  Continuing our series on Lisbon’s evolving culinary landscape, this instalment introduces five more chefs who are contributing to reshaping the city’s gastronomy. Whether through high-end dining, creative fusion cuisines, or popular casual dishes, each chef we highlight here brings a distinct approach, reflecting the diverse tastes and culinary experiences that define Lisbon today. Thankfully,…

  Invitingly located near Lisbon, Carcavelos is an attractive coastal town that, together with Costa da Caparica, has become synonymous with beach culture near Lisbon. Even though most people, international tourists and locals alike, make it to Carcavelos to enjoy the beach, we think it is also a place with plenty of cultural and culinary…

Lisbon is in the midst of a culinary revival. Over the past ten or so years, the city’s food scene has been transforming dramatically, driven by a mix of long time Portuguese traditions and the exciting addition of global flavors. This change of course translates into modern food trends and new dishes appearing on menus,…

Lisbon has a great dining scene. However, unlike other major cities where street food is an integral part of daily life, the Portuguese capital presents a different scenario, where traditional street food is not as prevalent or defined. Visitors arriving in Lisbon may expect to find a bustling street food scene similar to those in…

Located on the south bank of the Tagus River, Trafaria is a town that defies simple categorization. Though it functions as a town, it preserves the soul of a traditional fishing village, tucked between Cacilhas and Caparica in the municipality of Almada. Historically significant, Trafaria once served as a quarantine station during the Age of…

  Being the main city of Portugal, Lisbon is also, as one would expect, the culinary capital of the country. Lisbon’s cuisine is a blend of many cultures, shaped by its long history of exploration and worldwide trade. This mix has created a food culture that is deeply rooted in tradition yet doesn’t shy away…

  Carnide, located in the northwest corner of Lisbon, remains one of the city’s most authentic neighborhoods, mostly untouched by the tourism that has been reshaping the central areas of the Portuguese capital. This quaint locality showcases a side of Lisbon life that travelers rarely experience. Carnide is a neighborhood of contrasts, where narrow cobblestone…

  Brunch, the delightful combination of breakfast and lunch, has traversed the globe, evolving from its late 19th century English origins as a meal for Saturday-night party people to a fashionable and leisurely meal enjoyed worldwide. Its acceptance into various cultures over the years clearly showcases its brunch is here to stay. In the United…

  Each of Lisbon’s neighborhoods has a distinct character. Lumiar stands as a hidden gem, often bypassed by the typical tourist trail yet brimming with cultural richness and culinary opportunities that would make any adventurous food lover happy. Feat photo by Gardens   Photo by Prestige Realty Advisors    Far from the hustle and bustle…

  No matter the pace of life these days, lunch is still taken quite seriously here in Portugal. Normally, depending on your job, you’ll have about an hour to enjoy your midday meal. So you can grab a fork and knife, because sandwiches may be a thing elsewhere, but here we still care about a…

  Just a stone’s throw from the bustling streets of Lisbon, Seixal on the southbank of the Tagus river, offers a serene escape, making it an ideal day trip from the city, for both locals and travelers alike. Reaching Seixal from downtown Lisbon is quite easy. For those with a car, a mere 20 minute…

  As the sun sets over the seven hills of Lisbon, the city doesn’t just sleep: it transforms.  Picture this: It’s late at night in Lisbon. You’ve been wandering through the charming cobblestone streets, maybe you’ve already enjoyed a delightful dinner earlier. Perhaps you danced at a local party, or maybe you’ve been so captivated…

  Nestled in the heart of Portugal, Mafra is more than just a picturesque place. As the main city in the Zona Saloia, Mafra embodies the country’s rich agricultural history. This region, historically significant as the primary breadbasket for Lisbon, still resonates with the echoes of its past. Here, agriculture was not just a practice…

  Known as Aldeia Galega until 1930, Montijo is a town that belongs to the municipality of Setúbal, just across the Tagus River from Lisbon. If you come to Lisbon during June, the month during which our city is on party mode while celebrating the festival of St. Anthony (also unofficially known as the “sardine…

  Most people would agree that food can be a straightforward way of comforting us on any given day. Portuguese comfort food comes in many shapes and forms, savory and sweet. But if we had to choose just one dish to hit the spot, both in terms of flavor and solace to the soul, it…

  We’ve said it before and we will say it again: if you’d like to marvel at some truly stunning views of Lisbon’s cityscape, your best bet is to travel to the south bank of the Tagus River. Amongst other places, this applies to Cacilhas, in Almada, which we have invited you to come to…

  Generally speaking, here in Portugal, the vast majority of restaurants welcome children and are family-friendly. By default, we don’t make this distinction, even though we recognize that some establishments may be more suitable for welcoming families with their children, whether it is from a space and logistics point of view, or even when it…

  We are very well aware that Amadora, a city nearby Lisbon, doesn’t always enjoy the best reputation. Amadora is a part of Greater Lisbon and it’s mostly a residential area. Even though it has a personality of its own and plenty of local life, the truth is that many people who reside in Amadora…

  Some of the most iconic and long lasting businesses in Lisbon are food and drink related. There is no doubt that the people of our city love to go out to eat, drink and hang out with friends, and it seems that it has been that way for at least a couple of centuries…

  Much could be written about Lisbon’s most iconic foods. We could praise the uber popular Portuguese custard tarts, or talk about the historical importance of salt cod in our national cuisine. We could point you towards where Lisbon’s residents like to go out to drink, or get your cravings going by listing the top…

  Campolide is certainly not the most touristic of Lisbon’s neighborhoods. In fact, we suspect not many travelers end up making it to this part of Lisbon, unless they are going to browse stores at Amoreiras Shopping Center (Av. Eng. Duarte Pacheco 48) or, at the most, interested in visiting Aqueduto das Águas Livres, the…

  As much as we love intimate dinners and small places, where it feels like the restaurants almost exist for our own sake, sometimes we like going out in big groups too. In fact, particularly as Christmas comes around, we know that other companies are also into organizing dinners out with their employees, as a…

  What makes a bar great? According to some of the world’s best bartenders, as interviewed by 50 Best Stories, there are certain characteristics that should come together for a bar to stand out. The decor and ambience of the place of course matter, as they’re the first thing customers see when they walk through…

  We sincerely believe that Ericeira is one of the best day trips from Lisbon. You can get to this seaside town in less than one hour’s drive or even by public bus departing from Campo Grande, which is on the green line of the metro. There are plenty of options most of the day,…

  Portugal is a delicious destination for travelers who love eating meat and fish. Lisbon is full of incredible seafood restaurants and, some of the most typical Portuguese dishes, do indeed revolve around meats, particularly pork. We love these traditional comfort foods and even their contemporary versions, often reinterpreted by younger chefs who put their…

  As the weather is clearly asking for it, lately we’ve been focusing our travel guides for foodies on beach destinations near Lisbon. We have previously taken you to the unspoiled beaches of Arrábida Natural Park and, today, we’d like to invite you to what magazine Condé Nast Traveller has highlighted as Portugal’s best secret…

  Arrábida Natural Park, often known in Portuguese simply as Serra da Arrábida, is a protected area which ranges from mountains to the Atlantic ocean, roughly between the city of Setúbal and the fishing town of Sesimbra. Being located in the Peninsula of Setúbal, just 45 km from Lisbon, Arrábida makes for a great day…

  If you have been following our work for a little while, you’ll know that at Taste of Lisboa we love tascas. These are the Portuguese versions of taverns, simple eateries which serve typical food which tends to be quite representative of our local style of home cooking. When you go to good tasca, sometimes…

  Sintra is a world-famous destination and one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. Even though many travelers do make it to Sintra, at least for the day, not that many make it a point to go beyond the town’s city center. Indeed Sintra has a lot to see, do and eat, but…

  As we always like to stress, there is no best time to travel to Lisbon, because every season of the year has its particular appeal and there is always something going on in the Portuguese capital. But one thing is for sure, if you are not a fan of the warm weather, you have…

  We love being high! We mean high up in Lisbon’s best rooftop bars, where you can share a bottle of wine with your friends, drink a signature cocktail, feel the summer breeze as it gently hits your hair and, of course, enjoy marvelous views of the Portuguese capital. As Lisbon is the “city of…

  Penha de França is a neighborhood in Lisbon with lots of personality. It is often overshadowed by Graça, the more popular parish which borders it, but we’re firm believers that it should also be on the map for those seeking to experience a side of Lisbon which mixes local characteristics with a certain international…

  Portugal has a varied and appetizing range of cured meats and smoked sausages, which we refer to in Portuguese as enchidos. In between blood sausage, chouriço and other pork based creations such as bone and cartilage sausage (butelo), we find alheira, which is arguably the one Portuguese sausage with the most troubled background. Most…

  When you think about chicken dishes from Portuguese cuisine, it’s quite likely that the first thing that comes to mind is peri-peri chicken, which we refer to in Portuguese as frango de churrasco. Juicy meat, crispy skin, smokey untones and the heat of peri-peri sauce which you can add to taste – what’s there…

  Even though there are many beaches nearby Lisbon, Costa da Caparica is a favorite of many city dwellers when trying to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life, lay in the sand and soak up the sun. A short drive away, simply crossing the Tejo river via the Golden Gate look-alike 25 de…

  At Taste of Lisboa we firmly believe that, with good food, there shall be good drinks! We have previously explored some of the essential beverages you should try while in Portugal (including non-alcoholic options); we have talked extensively about Portuguese wine culture and the diverse wine regions across our country; explored the world of…

  Many of the people who work in Lisbon actually live on the other side of the Tagus river, in an area which we broadly refer to in Portuguese as Margem Sul, that is, the south bank. Across the river not only will you find residential areas which house a growing population which the city…

Many visitors who come to Lisbon take a day trip to Cascais, a popular seaside city perfect for a leisurely stroll on a sunny day. But not everyone is aware that, in between Lisbon and Cascais (the area which we refer to in Portuguese as Linha de Cascais, that is, the line towards Cascais) there’s…

  For those who agree with us in thinking that food festivals are a great excuse to travel to places you might have not thought of going to otherwise, today we have plenty of appetizing suggestions. For a fairly small country, Portugal has a range of food options that tend to make locals proud. It’s…

  The future of Lisbon’s food scene is in their hands. We’re talking about young chefs who are making a name for themselves alongside well-established chefs which are at the forefront of Portuguese dining – think, for example, José Avillez (Belcanto, Cantinho do Avillez, Bairro do Avillez), or Henrique Sá Pessoa (Alma). Some of them…

  Working in the hospitality industry is hard and everyone deserves a day off. That’s why many of Lisbon’s restaurants are closed on Sunday and also on Monday, after having a busy weekend. This rings particularly true when it comes to tascas and family-run establishments, as these are simple eateries that are often run by…

  Here in Portugal, in cod we trust. Even though cod is not a fish that was ever found on the Portuguese coastline, which happens to indeed be rich in other species, no one can deny that this is one of the quintessential ingredients of Portuguese gastronomy. The history of how cod became popular in…