Here you will where to eat in Lisbon, along with my honest review.
My friends and I visited Lisbon in late March believing it would most probably be a cute, sunny spring getaway.
Especially for me, living in Oslo, it always feels important to escape to the warmer side of Europe around this time of year after a long and dark winter.
Lisbon, however, had other plans.
Between the rain, the wind and a surprisingly large number of storms, our trip looked very different from what we had imagined. Looking back though, maybe that happened for a reason.
Instead of spending all day outside sightseeing, we ended up discovering some of the cutest cafés, brunch spots, restaurants and Fado bars in the city.
The best part? Almost none of them were planned in advance.
We found most of these places completely spontaneously while trying to hide from the rain, and honestly, they were exactly what we needed.
Brunch
Heim Cafe
One of my favorite breakfast spots during the trip was Heim Cafe in Avenidas Novas.
The atmosphere was cozy, relaxed and exactly the type of place where you can spend a slow morning before starting your day.
Their brunch menu is well-known among both locals and visitors, and after trying it myself I completely understood why.
The portions were generous, everything felt fresh, and the coffee was excellent.
If you are staying in this area of Lisbon, I would definitely recommend adding Heim Cafe to your brunch list.
Kossie’s
Kossie’s was probably my biggest brunch surprise in Lisbon.It has a modern, welcoming atmosphere and the food looked as good as it tasted.
The menu offers a nice mix of sweet and savory brunch options, and everything felt thoughtfully prepared rather than just Instagram-friendly.
This was one of those places where we sat longer than planned because we simply enjoyed being there.
Would I return?
Without even thinking twice.
Seagull Method Cafe
Seagull Method was another great brunch stop.
The place has a very trendy Lisbon vibe without feeling pretentious.
Good coffee, beautiful presentation and a menu that works whether you want something healthy or something more indulgent.
If you enjoy discovering local brunch spots while travelling, this one is worth visiting.
Coffee and Pastéis de Nata
Pastéis de Belém
I know there is an endless debate about who makes the best pastel de nata in Portugal.
I don’t care.For me, Pastéis de Belém wins.
Yes, it is touristy.
Yes, there is usually a queue.
And yes, I would happily stand in that queue again.
The pastries were absolutely delicious, the bakery itself is beautiful, and it felt like one of those classic Lisbon experiences that actually lives up to the hype.
Manteigaria
We visited Manteigaria on Rua Augusta and immediately understood why people queue outside.
The pastries are served warm, freshly baked throughout the day and filled with perfectly creamy custard.
Watching them being prepared behind the glass makes the experience even better.
If you only have time for one pastel de nata in Lisbon, this should be high on your list.
Lunch
Pastel de Bacalhau – Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau
Located in the Santa Maria Maior area, this was our introduction to one of Portugal’s most famous snacks.
The codfish cake served with Serra da Estrela cheese is definitely a tourist favorite, but I have to admit I did not really enjoyed it.
But it was quick, tasty and perfect when we needed a small lunch between sightseeing stops.
Dinner
Coyo Taco
A fun dinner spot with good tacos, great drinks and exactly the type of casual atmosphere we needed after walking around Lisbon all day.
Was it the meal I kept talking about after coming back from Portugal?
Probably not.
We visited Coyo mostly for the margaritas.
We also ended up ordering churros afterwards, which was obviously the correct decision.
Skizzo
Skizzo was probably the most elegant dinner we had during our time in Lisbon.
Everything about the place felt polished, from the beautiful interior design to the attentive service. It was definitely one of the more expensive meals of the trip, but I have to admit it was worth every penny.
The food was fresh, perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The service was excellent, the atmosphere was sophisticated and sometimes that’s exactly what you need after a long day of walking around Lisbon.
Would I go back? Absolutely.
Leonetta
Leonetta was one of those places that manages to combine a beautiful setting with genuinely great food.
The restaurant itself is stunning, with elegant architecture and a warm atmosphere that immediately makes you want to stay a little longer.
It felt like the perfect place for a slower dinner after a busy day exploring Lisbon.
The service was friendly and attentive, the pasta was excellent, and the wine selection was probably one of the highlights of the evening.
We ended up enjoying every course without feeling rushed, which made the whole experience even better.
If you’re looking for an Italian restaurant in Lisbon for a special dinner, Leonetta is definitely worth considering.
Fado Night at A Tasca do Chico
If you want an authentic Fado experience without booking one of the expensive tourist dinner shows.
A Tasca do Chico is probably one of the most famous places in Lisbon.
The bar is known for its traditional Fado Vadio evenings, where local singers and amateur performers take turns singing emotional Portuguese songs full of nostalgia and passion.
The atmosphere feels genuine, intimate and very different from the polished performances you often see marketed to tourists.
For me, this was one of the cultural highlights of the trip.
The Biggest Surprise
The biggest surprise actually wasn’t in Lisbon. It was in Porto.
We hadn’t planned lunch at all and randomly ended up at a small seafood restaurant called Terra Nova.
What a surprise.
The view was beautiful, the service was excellent, and the quality of the food was probably the best we experienced during our entire Portugal trip.
Sometimes the places you remember most are the ones you never planned to visit.
The second surprise was our wine tasting experience at Taylor’s Port.
Technically it wasn’t a meal, but I couldn’t write this article without mentioning it.
The wine tasting came with a cheese platter paired with different port wine vintages, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.
Sitting there overlooking Porto while learning about the history of port wine and tasting different styles was such a memorable experience.If you’re visiting Porto, I would absolutely recommend adding it to your itinerary.
You can find the activity here.
Places We Wanted to Try But Didn’t
There were also a few places that stayed on our Lisbon list but never made it into our itinerary:
- The Mill
- Dear Breakfast
- Fauna & Flora
- Taberna da Rua das Flores
- Ponto Final
But honestly, that’s completely fine.
As I mentioned earlier in this article, the weather had other plans for us.
Between the rain, the storms and the constant changes to our plans, we didn’t get to experience Lisbon exactly the way we had imagined.
We also had to skip places like the beautiful Sintra, which had been high on our list before the trip.
So instead of feeling disappointed, I prefer to see it as a good excuse to come back.And when I do, these places will be at the top of my list.
One More Experience I’d Love to Try Next Time
While researching Lisbon after our trip, I came across a highly-rated food tour that immediately caught my attention.
A few friends of mine have done it and couldn’t stop talking about it afterwards.
The tour combines local food, traditional Portuguese dishes and hidden spots around the city, all led by a local guide.
Considering how much we enjoyed discovering Lisbon through its cafés, bakeries and restaurants, I genuinely think this is something I would love to do on my next visit.
If you’re interested, you can check out the experience here.
Would I Return?
Definitely.
If I returned to Lisbon tomorrow, Kossie’s would probably be my first brunch stop.
And of course, I would immediately make my way back to Pastéis de Belém for another round of pastéis de nata.
Portugal simply has great taste when it comes to food.
No hesitation.
I’d go back in a heartbeat.
