One of the typical and emblematic dishes of Portugal is the salted cod, in local language called “bacalhau”. It will be very difficult to find the fresh version of the fish in the country, it has to do with history and how Portuguese fishermen used to catch them in northern seas and had them salted in order to bear the journey back (at a time… Read more »

By far one of the best meals we ever tasted and we highly recommend it. Considered one of the best restaurants in Lisbon, in a sophisticated setting and with two Michelin stars, this is where renowned chef José Avillez takes classical Portuguese dishes to haute cuisine level, with a lot of creativity in its molecular food preparations, served impeccably by the efficient staff. There were… Read more »

The food is so fabulous that the owner, who is also the Chef, has become something of a celebrity in Lisbon. José Avillez has three restaurants and we have tried them all. We found Cantinho do Avillez, in the Chiado neighborhood, quite casual and relaxing, resembling a café. The menu offers a good selection of tapas, starters and main dishes, and we appreciated the variety… Read more »

Lisbon always surprises us in terms of its gastronomic delights, which makes our job very difficult when it comes to selecting our top suggestions for dining. Well, we dare say that JNcQUOI may well be one of the best restaurants in town. The beautifully modern ambiance with nightly DJs sits amongst a bookshop, an annex fashion shop and a lively bar downstairs, all adding to… Read more »

At a relaxing hilltop location over Parque Eduardo and amidst Amalia Rodrigues gardens, this contemporary restaurant has wonderful views of the old city and the river. We had a table with fabulous views and the high glass windows really made the experience special. The food is mostly Mediterranean but the menu changes quite often, and the chef prepares surprise tasting menus some weekdays. The staff… Read more »

This pastry shop is originally from a city named Alcobaça and we always wondered why such marvelous delicacies were not sold in any shops in Lisbon, the country’s busiest city. Only recently they opened a shop in Portugal’s capital in one of its hippest areas, the Chiado. The small venue has many of the typical sweets Portugal is well known for, specially the traditional ones… Read more »

This unpretentious restaurant, housed in a typically Portuguese dwelling with tiled exterior and rustic interior, is neither obviously hype nor cool, yet most likely to be packed! Regulars include families, seniors, young couples, as well as some gringos, as people from all corners and likes come here for the outstanding food. You will find Portuguese style home cooked comfort food sure to please all tastes.… Read more »

Super modern, minimalist and with river views, this is an ideal restaurant if you want to have a light and unassuming lunch or dinner in the Belém region. The lounge-type venue offers a selection of appetizers, sandwiches and salads. Although not necessarily the most incredible food in town, everything we ordered was quite good. À Margem was conveniently placed to admire the sunset after spending… Read more »

In a city atop 7 hills you are sure to find amazing bars for drinks and stunning views. The Castle, the Tagus, narrow cobblestone streets, tiled rooftops and spectacular light at dusk make Lisbon one of the most interesting cities in Europe for such enjoyment. Our top selection of rooftop bars: Terraço BA at  Bairro Alto Hotel has wonderful views of the river, chill out music (perfect… Read more »

Officially called Time Out Market Lisboa, this old vegetable and flower market is immediately across from Cais do Sodre. It has recently added a modern and cool gourmet food hall within its large high ceiling central court. There are all sorts of food stands, some run by Lisbon’s renowned chefs, in a vibrant atmosphere that attracts all sorts of crowds. We grabbed our meal and… Read more »

It has been there for years and locals and travelers still compete to get a table. It is the type of joint locals love and take pride in, and it is somehow understood they feel little peeved that it has been discovered by visitors. Cervejaria Ramiro is not a proper restaurant, but rather a very modest beer tavern. Surprisingly, however, you can order from the… Read more »

A success since it opened its doors, this trendy riverside hot-spot has John Malkovich as one of its owners. We felt the buzz right at the entrance, full of beautiful hip and trendy people awaiting tables. If the weather permits, it may be worth requesting an outdoor table. We had one of our best meals in Lisbon, a delicious chestnut soup followed by a traditional… Read more »

Considered the forerunner of Lisbon’s food scene modernization, the famous Portuguese chef José Avillez has become something of a brand. Avillez has opened restaurants, bars and pizza places in Lisbon and Porto. The Cantinho, his iconic flagship restaurant, has always been one of our favorites, and we once again repeated the visit and left as satisfied as ever. Only recently did we try the Bairro,… Read more »

This iconic restaurant opened in the 80s and has been considered amongst the best in town for years, attracting a faithful clientele. It recently revamped its offering and moved to Mercado da Ribeira in Cais do Sodré, right by Jardim Dom Luis I, which the restaurant overlooks. The new setting is modern but kept its landmark chandelier hanging gloriously above the bar and maintained most… Read more »

It is not actually a restaurant, but a cool open-air area composed of two or three streets, a tiny square and everything trendy you can think of: food trucks, cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, stalls, galleries and joints of all kinds. Located in Alcantara, in an area that used to hold a textile factory shut down and revamped years ago. There is a bit of everything… Read more »