Lisbon completely won us over when it came to food. The city has this effortless way of combining traditional Portuguese cooking with a younger creative food scene, and somehow it never feels pretentious. One moment you are eating perfectly grilled fish in a loud local churrasqueira, the next you are sitting in a beautifully designed brunch café drinking flat whites and eating pistachio pastries.
Lisbon is one of those cities best experienced slowly, between long lunches, neighbourhood cafés, rooftop sunsets and lingering dinners.
What we loved most is that Lisbon still feels relatively affordable compared to many other European capitals, especially considering how well you can eat.
Here are all the restaurants, brunch spots, cafés and bars we tried during our five days in Lisbon, and the places we would happily return to.
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Restaurants we loved in Lisbon
Churrasqueira da Paz
Simple Portuguese cooking at its best
This was one of our favourite meals in Lisbon and exactly the type of place we always hope to find when travelling.
There is nothing trendy or polished about Churrasqueira da Paz. It is busy, noisy, full of locals and completely focused on serving incredibly fresh fish cooked over charcoal.
You cannot reserve a table, so arrive early because the queue starts forming quickly. The grilled fish changes depending on the catch of the day, and everything is served very simply with potatoes, salad, olive oil and lemon.
Our fish arrived perfectly charred on the outside and beautifully delicate inside. No complicated sauces, no unnecessary presentation, just excellent ingredients cooked properly.
This is traditional Lisbon dining at its absolute best.
R. da Paz 80, 1200-319 Lisboa
Approximate price: €10–15 per person
Familjen
Cosy and contemporary
Familjen felt intimate, relaxed and quietly stylish. The atmosphere was warm and candlelit, with a Scandinavian-inspired aesthetic mixed with Lisbon cool.
The menu changes regularly and focuses on seasonal ingredients with creative combinations and beautiful presentation. It felt more refined than many places we visited, but still welcoming and relaxed rather than formal.
This is the type of restaurant perfect for a slower evening with good wine and multiple shared dishes.
One particularly memorable bite was the oyster with sea buckthorn and coriander at Familjen, one of several experiences I share in my oyster experiences around the world.
R. Machadinho 56, 1200-761 Lisboa
Approximate price: €50+ per person with wine
Estrela da Bica
Modern Lisbon dining
Travessa do Cabral 33, 1200-073 Lisbon
Approximate price: €25 per person
Tucked into the charming Bica neighbourhood, Estrela da Bica was one of those places that instantly feels atmospheric.
The menu focuses on modern Portuguese small plates with fresh seasonal ingredients and bold flavours. The space itself felt relaxed and local, with a younger creative crowd and excellent service.
Perfect for a long dinner after wandering through the hills of Lisbon all day.
Travessa do Cabral 33, 1200-073 Lisboa
Approximate price: €25 per person
Oyster & Margarita
Seafood and cocktails
This place was pure fun and what a fabulous discovery oysters and margarita are such a perfect combo.
Fresh oysters, spicy margaritas, lively music and a buzzing crowd made it one of the liveliest evenings of our trip. The atmosphere felt energetic without becoming overwhelming.
If you love seafood and cocktails, this is an easy recommendation for a fun night out in Lisbon.
Rua da Palmeira 28 C, 1200-313 Lisboa
Approximate price: €25–35 per person
Trinca
Creative and lively
Trinca felt young, modern and energetic. The menu is built around creative sharing plates with strong Mediterranean and Portuguese influences, paired with natural wines and excellent cocktails.
The atmosphere was lively and social, making it ideal for a more modern Lisbon dining experience.
Rua dos Anjos 59C, 1150-034 Lisboa
Approximate price: €30–40 per person
Brunches we loved in Lisbon
Do Beco Santos
One of our favourite brunch spots
Lisbon does brunch very well, and Do Beco Santos became one of our favourites, with several locations in the city.
The café is beautifully designed with a calm minimalist interior and excellent coffee. The menu combines healthy brunch dishes, pastries and beautifully plated breakfasts.
Everything felt thoughtful without trying too hard.
A perfect slow Lisbon morning.
Rua de São João da Mata 18, 1200-849 Lisbon
Approximate price: €15–20 per person
Magnolia
Brunch on a sunny piazza
Magnolia is all about location and atmosphere.
Sitting outside on Praça das Flores with coffee and brunch while watching Lisbon life unfold around you felt wonderfully relaxed. The square itself is beautiful and peaceful, surrounded by elegant buildings and shaded trees.
The food was fresh, generous and perfect for a late morning start.
Praça das Flores 43, 1200-192 Lisbon
Approximate price: €10–15 per person
Marquise da Mobler
Hidden courtyard brunch
This was one of the prettiest brunch settings we found in Lisbon.
Hidden behind the street is a peaceful courtyard filled with light, plants and small tables. It felt calm and slightly hidden away from the city.
The pastries were excellent, the coffee strong, and the entire atmosphere felt very Lisbon.
Rua Nova da Piedade 33, 1200-296 Lisbon
Approximate price: €10–15 per person
PIENA libri persone visioni
Breakfast and slow mornings
Piena combines café, bookshop and neighbourhood hangout all in one.
We came for breakfast and loved the relaxed atmosphere. It felt local, creative and welcoming, the type of place where you could easily spend hours reading, working or slowly starting the day.
R. Luciano Cordeiro 2 C, 1150-313 Lisboa
Approximate price: €10–15 per person
Castro
The perfect pastel de nata
You cannot leave Lisbon without eating pastel de nata, and the ones at Castro were genuinely excellent.
Fresh from the oven, flaky pastry, silky custard filling and just slightly caramelised on top, paired with strong Portuguese espresso.
Simple pleasures done perfectly.
Approximate price: €5–10
Mama Shelter rooftop
Drinks with a view
Lisbon is a city made for rooftops and sunsets, and Mama Shelter was one of our favourite evening spots for drinks.
The rooftop has sweeping views across the city, and the atmosphere felt relaxed rather than overly glamorous. Perfect after a long day walking Lisbon’s hills.
Final thoughts on Lisbon food
From brunch cafés to atmospheric wine bars, Lisbon has become one of our favourite cities for discovering destinations through food.
What makes Lisbon so special is the balance between traditional and modern.
You can eat beautifully grilled fish in a tiny local restaurant for very little money, then have creative cocktails and contemporary sharing plates later the same evening.
The city feels relaxed, welcoming and genuinely food-loving rather than trend-driven.
And honestly, some of our favourite moments were simply sitting outside with coffee, pastries and nowhere particular to be.
Here is a map with all the places to eat mentioned above plus other recommended restaurants in Lisbon given to me by my niece.
