Restaurants
Restaurants
Restaurants at Lisbon
Eating and drinking is one of the pleasures of Lisbon or Portugal in general. Stopping at one of the legendary cafés in Lisbon is mandatory, and there is a variety of restaurants specializing in everything from traditional Portuguese cuisine, to international or contemporary, to vegetarian; from the Michelin-starred, to the trendy, to the simple, found throughout Bairro Alto, Docas, or Parque das Nações.
- Lisbon
A Charcutaria
Traditional country cooking of the Alentejo region recreated with great care and attention to detail. Located in Rua do Alecrim close to Bairro Alto, the restaurant is pleasantly decorated with natural wood being the overriding theme and complementing the country style cooking. The menu offers an extensive choice with many dishes that are difficult to find outside of the Alentejo’s better restaurants. Game dishes also feature when in season. A well-selected wine listed favours the Alentejo region. Attentive service and overall quality compensate for the fact that prices may be little steep for traditional cooking of this genre.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed Saturday lunch and all day Sunday | Rua do Alecrim, 47-A | Tel 213 423 845
A Travessa
Belgian and southern European flavours in a beautifully restored convent located in the Madragoa district. Despite the magnificent surroundings overlooking a cloistered courtyard, the ambience and service are unpretentious with a usually packed house. There’s a selection of outstanding starters served tapas-style. Fish is a speciality and other main courses include prime meats such as magret de canard, bull steak and foie gras. On Saturday nights the special is traditional Belgian moules with frites. Modern and well selected wine list. Reservations are essential.
Open for lunch and dinner. Closed Saturday lunch and all day Sunday | Travessa do Convento das Bernardas | Tel 213 940 800
Aya
Aya is widely recognised as Lisbon’s best Japanese restaurant. Sublime sushi and sashimi, a wide range of noodle dishes and other specialities with modern décor, efficient service and a lively atmosphere mean that reservations are absolutely essential in spite of its location outside of the city centre.
Open every day for lunch and dinner | Galerias Twin Towers, Piso 0, Rua de Campolide | Tel. 217 271 155
A Varanda
This is the main restaurant at the Four Seasons Ritz Hotel and is best known for its truly outstanding lunchtime buffets which on weekdays attract the who’s who of Lisbon’s business and political scene. In the evening however, Spanish chef Manuel Gutierrez offers 4-course degustation menus of outstanding quality which are also excellent value considering the standards. His menus are married with fine wines at the hands of one of Portugal’s top sommeliers Licínio Pedro Carnaz.
Open every day for lunch and dinner | Ritz Four Seasons Hotel Tel. 213 811 400
Ad Lib
With direct access from Avenida de Liberdade on the ground floor of the Sofitel Lisboa Hotel, Ad Lib offers a modern take on Mediterranean and Portuguese cuisine with an exotic twist. Seasonal menus focus on fresh local produce and the careful preparation and presentation of the food complements the rich oriental/chic décor.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed Saturday and Sunday lunch Av. da Liberdade | Hotel Sofitel Lisboa | Tel: 213 228 300
Aviz
Restaurant Aviz and the hotel of the same name have long been an emblematic meeting point for the Portuguese and international society in Lisbon. When the original hotel was demolished the restaurant moved to various different locations before being recently re-housed in the new Hotel Aviz. The modern surroundings contrast with a nostalgic mix of original cutlery, crockery and glass wear and other memorabilia from the original restaurant. The food is traditional Portuguese of the highest quality featuring many of the original dishes such as perdiz à Alcântara (stuffed partridge) and an excellent bacalhau dishes.
Open every day for lunch and dinner | Rua Duque de Palmela, 32 | Tel: 210 402 000
Alto Restaurante
This is located just 5 minutes from the airport, the restaurant has a loyal following of high flyers and not just those killing time before a flight. Spacious and luxurious surrounding and a lofty view provide the setting for creative Portuguese and Mediterranean cuisine.
Open for lunch and dinner, lunch only on Sundays | Clube de Golfe Bela Vista, Av. Avelino Teixeira da Mota | Tel: 218 590 860
Bica do Sapato
Part owned by American actor John Malkovich, this is the place to see and be seen. The restaurant features three dining options all offering great food and slick professional service. Minimalist décor in a converted riverfront warehouse and soft modern jazz set the scene. Contemporary interpretations of Portuguese dishes in the gourmet area, tasty bistro food in the café and a mix of fusion dishes and sushi upstairs. Fabulous desserts in all three. Things start to get busy around 10pm so be sure to book ahead if eating late.
Open daily for lunch and dinner. Closed Sundays all day and Mondays lunch | Av. Infante D. Henrique, Armazém B, Cais da Pedra | Tel 218 810 320
Bocca
Bocca offers a creative menu without unnecessary modernisms or over the top presentation, inspired by traditonal Portuguese cuisine and created by the up and coming young chef Alexandre Silva. The spacious and comfortable interior is decorated in a light and modern style. Service is informal yet correct and the restaurant also stands out for its excellent selection of wines served by the glass.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed Sundays and Mondays | Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, 87-D | Tel. 213 808 380
Casa da Comida
Fine dining in formal surroundings. This was one of the first restaurants to introduce true gourmet cuisine onto the Lisbon restaurant scene when it opened some 30 years ago. The service may be a little over the top for some tastes but consistently high standards maintain a loyal following. The food is predominantly Portuguese with influences from French haute cuisine.
Open for lunch and dinner. Closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday | Travessa das Amoreiras, 1| Tel 213 885 376
Casanostra
A small and trendy Italian restaurant in the Bairro Alto district, Casanostra blends retro design in pale green tones with good quality pasta dishes and other Italian favourites including a first class beef carpaccio. The food is well prepared and presented and the ambience relaxed.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed Mondays and Saturday lunch | Travessa do Povo da Cidade, 60 | Tel 213 425 931
Casanova
Located on the riverfront with a pleasant outdoor terrace, Casanova is unrivalled for its delicious pizzas. The only problem is that they do not take reservations so either arrive early or be prepared to queue for a table. For desert, try the unusual but delicious Nutella chocolate spread pizza.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed for lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays | Av. Infante D. Henrique, Armazém B, loja 7, Cais da Pedra | Tel 218 877 532
Conventual
Traditional Portuguese cooking is elevated to its highest level with top quality ingredients and immaculate preparation - and all this in sophisticated surroundings with impeccable service to match. The bacalhau dishes are a must as is the lamb stew (ensopado de borrego). Excellent selection of traditional Portuguese cheese and an extensive wine list.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed on Sundays and for lunch on Saturdays | Praça das Flores 44/45 | Tel 213 909 246
Eleven
Lisbon’s only Michelin starred restaurant, Eleven commands a prime location in a purpose built edifice at the top of Parque Eduardo VII. This is the most ambitious undertaking on Lisbon’s restaurant scene in recent years with cutting edge modern cuisine, refined contemporary décor and exacting standards in every detail. Prepare to be pampered and allow time to savour the full menu.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed Sundays and Mondays. Reservations essential | Rua Marquês de Fronteira, Jardim Amália Rodrigues | Tel. 213 862 211
Estufa Real
Beautifully set in the restored royal greenhouse within the 18th century Ajuda Botanical Gardens, this unique ambience of this restaurant sets the scene for a Mediterranean menu of high quality. Specialities include partridge broth with mint, Portuguese cod with garlic cream sauce and a tangerine torte with praline ice cream.
Open for lunch only, closed Saturdays | Jardim Botânico da Ajuda, Calçado do Galvão | Tel. 213 619 400
Flores
Flores is the restaurant located on the street level of the Bairro Alto boutique hotel. At lunch times, the menu features light and simple dishes whilst creative cooking is available in the evenings by the chef Luis Rodrigues.
Open everyday for lunch and dinner | Bairro Alto Hotel
Praça Luís de Camões, 2 | Tel. 213 408 252
Gemelli
Larger than life Italian chef Gemelli is the centre of attention at this small and authentic Italian restaurant where freshness and simplicity are the cornerstone of a fine dining experience. Prime ingredients are the order with treats such as fresh truffles and other specialities available when in season.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed Saturdays for lunch and Sundays | Rua Nova da Piedade 99, esquina com a Rua de São Bento | Tel. 213 952 552
Gambrinus
Located just off the Rossio in the heart of town, Gambrinus is a Lisbon institution. Long famed as one of the city’s top restaurants it continues to live up to its name and its die- hard aficionados include politicians and other city high-flyers. It is rightly famous for its seafood that can be enjoyed either at the long bar or in the formal dining room. The ultimate house speciality is the large fresh langoustines, fished deep from the Atlantic and plain boiled to perfection. Reservations are advisable at lunchtime.
Open every day for lunch and dinner | Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, 23 | Tel 213 421 466
Il Gattopardo
At the flagship 5-star Lisbon property of the Dom Pedro hotel group, IL Gattopardo (the leopard) is a fitting tribute to the Italian roots of the company’s owners. The formal dining room offers well-spaced tables and discreet service providing both a popular setting for business lunches and a romantic evening atmosphere. The outdoor terrace is a more relaxed affair, albeit with the same high standards. The menu is extensive offering an irreproachable representation of Italian fine dining. Competitively priced lunch menus also available.
Open every day for lunch and dinner | Hotel Dom Pedro Lisboa | Tel 213 896 600
La Brasserie de l’Entrec´te
Not for the calorie conscious and certainly not for vegetarians, this Parisian style brasserie in the Chiado district offers only one fixed menu; a crunchy green salad with pine nuts and French dressing followed by prime cutlets of entrecote steak in a cream and herb sauce served with fries. Ingredients are of the highest quality and you can at least choose from a selection of mouth-watering deserts.
Open every day for lunch and dinner | Rua do Alecrim, 117
Tel 213 473 616
Tiara Park Atlantic Lisboa
In keeping with its name, L’Appart is based on the design of an apartment, albeit it a very large and tastefully decorated one. Diners can choose to eat in one of themed areas (kitchen, living room, library or winter garden) depending on mood or occasion. The food is international with an extensive menu of modern fine dining as well a selection of traditional Portuguese dishes served at lunchtime and sumptuous buffets at weekends.
Open daily for lunch and dinner | Le Meridien Park Atlantic Hotel | Tel 213 818 700
Luca
An old city centre metal works building imaginatively converted into a modern restaurant. The fact that the chef is Japanese and the owner Italian has led many to believe this is a fusion restaurant but not so, the food is pure Italian with the only divergence a delicious "fritti misto" which presents itself as a Japanese style tempura. Great value lunch specials ensure a full house during the week at lunchtime and a busy evening trade also makes reservations advisable.
Open for lunch and dinner | Closed Saturday lunch and all day Sunday | Rua de Santa Marta, 35 | Tel 213 150 212
Mercado do Peixe
A short drive from the centre of town and surrounded by the Monsanto park, this the place for fish and seafood in noisy capacious surroundings. The fish is fresh from the ocean (not farmed) and there is a wide selection of seafood from lobsters and different varieties of prawns to crabs and molluscs. Everything is cooked simply, either on a central grill or in the kitchen, and served with efficiency. Note that some of the items on display are extremely expensive and as you order by weight rather than by portion, the bill can easily reach astronomic proportions. The same goes for the excellent Spanish pata negra ham. Check prices first and be careful not to over order.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed Mondays | Estrada do Casal Pedro Teixeira, Caramão da Ajuda | Tel 213 616 070
Mezzaluna
Chef owner Michele Guerrieri have established Mezzaluna as perhaps the most talked about Italian restaurant in town. Michele offers an enticing blend of original dishes based on traditional Italian cooking with fresh local produce. The atmosphere is at once relaxed and informal yet sufficiently sophisticated to maintain a loyal following that includes more than a few famous faces from the political and business scenes. Reservations essential, especially at lunchtimes when daily 3 or 4-course menus offer excellent value.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed Saturday lunch and all day Sunday | Rua Artilharia Um, 16 | Tel 213 879 944
Muni
Downtown in the baixa district, Muni has long been one of the few restaurants in the area to do justice to traditional Portuguese cooking. Taster dishes brought to the table before your meal may include an excellent octopus salad and peixinhos da horta (runner beans deep-fried in crispy batter). There is always good fresh fish on the menu and the house speciality of stewed partridge “perdiz à convento de Alcântara” is not to be missed.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed weekends | Rua dos Correeiros, 115/117 | Tel 213 428 982
Olivier
There is no à la carte menu at this small and cosy restaurant in Bairro Alto, but instead a 12-course tasting menu consisting of 5 cold starters, 5 hot starters, a main course (choose between 4 meat dishes) and the house dessert of Coulant de Chocolat. The ambience is relaxed and informal with the essence of the cooking being French and Mediterranean.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed Sundays | Rua do Teixeira, 35 (Bairro Alto) | Tel 213 431 405
Olivier Café
An adaptation of the highly successful formula of restaurateur Olivier Costa’s original “Olivier” restaurant in Bairro Alto. The menu differs primarily in that starters are served as a fixed selection of tapas style dishes with main courses and deserts chosen from the menu. High quality pan seared foie gras is always available and special dishes for two such as the excellent white veal served with truffled pasta are strongly recommended.
Open for dinner only, closed Sundays | Rua do Alecrim, 23
Tel 213 422 916
Omnia
A unique concept in Lisbon, Omnia offers a fixed tasting menu, changing very 4 weeks, that is in constant rotation. The kitchen turns out one dish at time for all diners and your meal is complete when you have finished the whole cycle. Tastes and preparation are a mixture of modern Portuguese with Mediterranean made up of a sequence of small and tasty courses. Great modern décor, exceptionally friendly staff and a limited but well chosen wine list complete the offering.
Open for dinner only, closed Mondays | Largo do Santos, 29C Tel 213 903 583
Panorama
The rooftop restaurant at the tallest building in town - the Sheraton Lisboa Hotel & Spa, the Panorama has long offered the best view in town. It is only since the total redevelopment of the property and its reopening in 2007 that the restaurant can finally live up to the heights of its location. The contemporary interior design highlighted with Lalique crystal and onyx panelling sets the scene for one of Portugal’s most promising young chefs, Henrique Sá, who’s modern European menus have rapidly gained the restaurant a reputation amongst he city’s best.
Open everiday for lunch and dinner | Sheraton Hotel & Spa Rua Latino Coelho, 1 | Tel 213 120 000
Pap’Açorda
No restaurant guide to Lisbon would be complete without Bairro Alto’s most famous restaurant, Pap’ Açorda. Established in the 1980s, this was one of the first places to start modernising Portuguese food and continues to be one of the most successful and trendy restaurants in town. Reservations are absolutely essential. The owners of Pap’ Açorda are also partners in the equally trendy Bica do Sapato restaurant.
Nenhum guia de Lisboa estaria completo sem o mais famoso restaurante do Bairro Alto, o Pap’Açorda. Inaugurado nos anos 80, foi um dos primeiros locais a modernizar a cozinha portuguesa e continua a ser um dos restaurantes melhor sucedidos da cidade. É essencial reservar mesa. Os proprietários são também sócios no restaurante igualmente em voga Bica do Sapato.
Closed Sundays and Mondays | Rua da Atalaia, 57/59 | Tel 213 464 811
Pragma
Located in Lisbon’s modern new casino, Pragma is the gourmet restaurant of chef Fausto Airoldi, one of Portugal’s foremost culinary talents. The restaurant offers a contemporary cuisine based on Portuguese roots but with a keen eye on modern gourmet trends from around the world.
Open for dinner only, closed Mondays | Casino de Lisboa, Parque das Nações | Tel 218 929 043
Ristorante Hotel Cipriani
In the sumptuous surroundings of the Lapa Palace Hotel, the restaurant took its name, and its executive chef, from the company’s hallowed Hotel Cipriani in Venice. Gourmet Italian cooking of the highest order with discreet and impeccable service.
Open every day for lunch and dinner | Lapa Palace Hotel, Rua do Pau da Bandeira,4 | Tel 213 949 494
Solar dos Presuntos
In the downtown Restauradores area, Solar dos Presuntos stands out from the tourist restaurants as a genuine quality restaurant dedicated to good food. The cavernous interior on two levels is nearly always packed but there is usually no need to book if you arrive early. Excellent fish and seafood, quality meat dishes such as roast kid and the best paella in town.
Open for lunch and dinner, closed Sundays | Rua das Portas de Santo Antão, 150 | Tel 213 424 253
Tavares Rico
At 220 years old, there are few restaurants anywhere with a history as rich as that of Tavares. The gilt and mirror walled dining room had however fallen into a state of decline until it was reopened in January 2004 under new ownership. Whilst the dining room has been restored to its former glory, the menu has moved well and truly into the new century with modern gourmet cuisine and service to match.
