It is time to take your travel a step ahead with delectable food and drinks. Lisbon is a well-known destination for tourists but does not stand out as the first choice when it comes to culinary destinations. You might be wondering what food you must try in the capital; well, fear not.
I got you covered! In this blog, you will get a list of the best food items so that you can eat like a true local! Lisbon is a beautiful city and has a great culture and history. Nevertheless, the food here is worth trying!
Some of the best Lisbon food and drinks are Bacalhau, Cozido, Sardines, Bifana, Arroz de Marisco, chicken peri peri, whole crab, tandoori chicken, seitan, and beans.
In this article, you will get to know about the best food items in Lisbon. I am sharing some traditional, non-veg, and veg food items with the best restaurant you can have them. Treat yourself and your loved ones with these scrumptious dishes!
What's In The Post
1. Bacalhau
Well, what else is better than trying a national dish of Portugal? Bacalhau is the dry salted cod and is considered a faithful friend of Portuguese cuisine. This food item falls under the category of one must try while in Lisbon. It has a mild and fishy taste.
You can enjoy this dish in several ways, but the traditional way is to make it with scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and olives. If you want to enjoy a little creamy flavor, you can enjoy Bacalhau Ze do Pipo. This dish is baked with a creamy and warm layer of mayonnaise. I know you must be wondering about its taste, but trust me, and it’s delicious.
Where to get Bacalhau: A Casa do Bacalhau, Rua do Grilo 54, Lisbon
You can easily find this traditional dish at A Casa do Bacalhau. This place is quite pretty, but you may find it a bit crowded. It is rated well when it comes to the services and quality of food. You can also get gluten-free in this restaurant. You can get Bacalhua for €10-15.
2. Cozido à Portuguesa
Another one on the list of best food items in Lisbon is Cozido, a Portuguesa. If you are looking for something delicious for the whole group or family, then this dish is quite an appropriate one! You will enjoy the savory porky and beefy flavors of this fulfilling dish.
In this dish, you will get a whole combo of tender beef and pork chunks with a bunch of different veggies, including carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and turnips. This whole pot laden with veggies can’t be consumed by a single person, which is why it is served in a family style.
Where to get Cozido a Portuguesa : Restaurante Os Courenses, Rua José Duro 27, Lisbon.
The food as well as the environment of Restaurante Os Courenses is quite good and suitable for groups and families. You can enjoy dinner and lunch meals in this restaurant. Moreover, they serve Mediterranean, European, and Portuguese cuisines. You can also enjoy free wifi services.
3. Sardines
During the summer, you will surely witness a whole crowd of tourists in Lisbon. What is the best food to enjoy during summer in Lisbon? Well, worry not! You can enjoy fresh sardines. In June, you will enjoy Festo De Santo Antonio, a separate party where the whole town assembles and distributes fresh sardines everywhere.
You can try your hands on this delicious food item right on the streets of the capital. During summer, this seafood is available in the juiciest and scrumptious form. Sardines have a rich, salty taste with a soft and oily appearance.
Where to get Sardines : Floresta Das Escadinhas, Rua da Santa Justa 3, Lisbon.
Try this restaurant and take a bite of delicious sardines. It offers Portuguese cuisine and ample meats and seafood. You can also try hands on their wine and desserts. Experience the best ever sardines in this place.
4. Bifana
Well, I have to say that this one is my favorite one! This list of famous dishes of Lisbon would be incomplete without mentioning this heavenly taste dish. You can easily find Bifana at any food stall or truck in the streets of Lisbon. Bifana is a perfect snack to accompany a nice beer.
Simply put, Bifana is a pork sandwich seasoned with garlic and white wine. It has flavors of mustard or hot sauce. This whole combo of ingredients results in an incredibly delicious Bifana sandwich. You must try this one. I promise you will love this one!
Where to get Bifana: O Treve, Praca Luis de Camoes 48, Lisbon.
O Treve serves a variety of fast food, European and Portuguese cuisine. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks. However, they accept only cash. You can get an average food item here for 5 to 10 euros.
5. Arroz de Marisco
Seafood and rice are the staple food of Portugal. Arroz de Marisco is a perfect combo of rice and seafood, as it has plenty of clams, prawns, and other seafood.
The presence of herbs and veggies made this dish even more delicious. Fresh seafood always makes your heart smile. Whenever you are out of the stress of this beautiful place, you must try this relish dish.
Where to get Arroz de Marisco: Restaurante Farol, Largo Alfredo Dinis 1, Almada
Well, Restaurante Farol is on the outskirts of Lisbon. To reach this place, you have to take a ferry ride across the river. You surely enjoy the whole local vibe and skyline of Lisbon from this place.
6. Chicken Peri Peri
Who doesn’t know about this extremely popular food recipe? The best thing about the former colonial rule is the food, and chicken peri peri is one of them.
Whenever you are planning to visit Lisbon, you must try this delectable dish. This irresistible dish must be on your list, and even if you are not a big fan of chicken, try this! I am sure your tastebuds will thank you later.
Where to find Chicken Peri Peri : Restaurante Cantinho do Aziz, Rua de São Lourenço No. 5, Lisbon.
This restaurant is known for its uniqueness and its specialization in traditional dishes. Chicken peri peri is one of those recipes. It is a subtle place that offers Indian and African dishes. Moreover, you can also get vegetarian meals, seafood & desserts.
7. Tandoori Chicken
Indian cuisine is loved and admired by the whole world, and well, Lisbon is no exception to that. If you have not tried Indian cuisine, then you must try mouth-watering tandoori chicken. This dish is an ideal combo of chicken and spices.
The presence of herbs surely elevates the flavors of the whole dish. Not only this, but you can also experience and have different recipes for Indian cuisine. Satisfy your taste buds with this delectable dish.
Where to get Tandoori Chicken: Bollywood Lounge, R. Viriato Loja 11, Lisbon.
You can get Indian and International cuisine in this restaurant. In addition to this, this place offers you vegetarian-friendly and vegan food options.
8. Whole Crab
You will surely forget all other recipes of the carb after having a bite of this delicious recipe. Well, as the name suggests, each and every part of the carb is used while preparing this dish. It is a good combination of carb innards and fat.
The addition of a sauce of butter, garlic, onion, and white wine just elevates the flavors of the whole dish. Moreover, they serve you this delectable dish in the shell. Isn’t this the best way to have the whole crab? You can enjoy it with bread.
Where to get Whole Crab: Cervejaria Ramiro, Av. Almirante Reis, Lisboa.
This is the best place to have a pot of the whole crab. You can get Portuguese and gluten-free options. It has a relaxed atmosphere and you can get an amazing variety of seafood and drinks.
9. Pasteis de Nata
Another well-known food from Lisbon is Pasteis de Nata. This food is quite subtle, but the recipe for this delicious treat is unknown to the world. Basically, this is a pastry circle with a golden appearance. It has egg custard in the middle of the puff.
This is one of the oldest recipes and the copyright belongs to the heirs of the Clarinha family. This is the perfect delightful sweet treat with a crispy and creamy texture.
Where to get it : Pasteis de Belem, R. Belem 84-92, Lisbon.
The recipe is quite secret to the world and the heirs of the Clarinha family own the copyright. You can try a large airy bakery in this cafe and enjoy delicious traditional Portuguese baked goods such as tarts and bread.
10. Seitan And Beans
Well, if you are wondering why Lisbon has way too many non-vegetarian dishes, then you are wrong, my friend! If you are vegetarian, then you must try this amazing food called Seitan and Beans. This dish is a perfect combo of veggies with warm carrot sauce.
I know this combo sounds odd, but trust me, you are going to love it! It has the goodness of veggies and is perfect for vegetarians.
Where to get it: Oasis Vegetarian Cafe, R. Marques Sa Da Bandeira &6-76A, Lisbon.
Well, this cafe offers you a great variety of food items. Seitan and beans served by the cafe are certainly the best ones. You can enjoy the subtle atmosphere of the cafe with delicious food. However, they do not provide delivery service.
11. Caldo Verde
Well, this one is often known as the national dish of Portugal. Caldo Verde is known for its nutritional profile and is an extremely delicious and healthy soup. You must try it once whenever you next visit Libon. It is a soup made with kale and sausages.
You can also see the different versions of it where collard greens or cabbage are used. This soup is available in most restaurants, whether in a posh hotel or a tiny tavern.
Where to get Caldo Verdo: Restaurante A Merendinha Do Arco
This restaurant is quite a welcoming place with communal tables, but it is quite packed during lunchtime. You can enjoy various cuisines in this restaurant including European, Mediterranean, and Portuguese cuisine.
12. Alheira
Alheira is one of the recent additions to the menus of Lisbon. This food is a mouthwatering Portuguese sausage. When it comes to the ingredients, they might vary, but pork is not used in the making of alheira.
This recipe is linked to Jewish tradition as it includes their traditional way of preparing sausages. Do you like the best part? This dish is served with a fried egg and french fries. I love this dish, and I suggest you must try it at least once!
Where to get Alheira: Gambrinus, Lisbon
This restaurant is known for serving Portuguese dishes with lots of fish and seafood. Moreover, the seating area has a pleasant vibe. This restaurant is considered as one of the best restaurants in Liston. The atmosphere is very pleasant and they serve delicious food.
13. Queijo Serra da Estrela
Well, this list will be incomplete without mentioning this food item. Queijo Serra da Estrela is a delicious and special dish that uses yellow cheese. This is extremely soft and hardens with time. When it comes to its taste, it has a rusty flavor with an undertone of sweetness.
Where to get Queijo Serra da Estrela: Serra da Estrela, Lisbon
Queijo is a unique cheese that is used to prepare different dishes. You rarely find it in the local market. You need to go to Serra da Estrela to get this delicious cheese.
14. Ginjinha
Ginjinha is basically a liquor that is sour in taste with cherry flavors. It is made with ginja berries in alcohol with sugar and other ingredients.
If you are not into liquors, well, I must tell you that this one is worth trying once. Tiny ginjinha bars are also served with this delicious drink.
Where to get Ginjinha: A Ginjinha, Largo São Domingos 8, Lisboa, Portugal
You must try your hands at the best liquor in this restaurant. This is one of the historic open-front bars. It is quite popular for Ginjinha and is a bit crowdy. This bar does not offer delivery services.
15. Feijoada
Last but not least, Feijoada is another food item you must try in Lisbon. This dish is also known as a Brazilian dish. It is a combo of brewed black bean stew and salted, smoked pork, and beef.
When we talk about the traditional ingredients, cheaper cuts such as pig’s ears and feet are also included while preparing feijoada.
Where to get Feijoada: Boteco dona luzia, Lisbon
You can try Feijoado from Boteco dona luzia and you won’t be disappointed. It serves Brazilian and Portuguese cuisines. You can get lunch and dinner in this place with great services and food. Alcohol is also served here.
Conclusion
This was a parade of delicious food and drinks that you can enjoy while visiting Lisbon. I hope you like this article. Enjoy your trip to Lisbon and take care!
