Lisbon City Guide

A Travessa

Lisbon

Set in a former 17th century convent in the peaceful quarter of Lapa, many consider this to be one of Lisbon's best restaurants (although one of the least hyped), from the food and service to the perfect atmosphere. Although officially Portuguese-Belgian, an international menu is served by a log fire during winter and on tables in an open-air courtyard in the summer. The specialty is an unrivalled roasted pork dish, although it also serves fresh fish. The bread is always fresh, baked daily on the premises.

Bica do Sapato

Lisbon

This warehouse conversion is the trendiest and most talked about of all Lisbon restaurants, gaining fame for its owner, actor John Malkovich (who also owns club Lux next door). The moneyed and the fashionable dine in a sleek interior with minimalist decor and stunning river views, choosing from a menu of modern Portuguese, Mediterranean and other European dishes. It also has a stylish sushi bar upstairs with a lively atmosphere

Eleven Restaurant

Lisbon

This is one of the newest and most acclaimed restaurants in the city. Located atop Edward 11 Park, its cuisine is contemporary Mediterranean prepared by Joachuim Koerper whose restaurant in Spain holds 2 Michelin stars and was rated the best restaurant in the country by the Gourmetour guide. Eleven has also earned a coveted Michelin star, a well-deserved recognition.

Gambrinus

Lisbon

If you're looking for Lisbon's best seafood restaurant, this is it. It was established more than 70 years ago and is also a beer house, which explains its name borrowed from the god of beer. A varied menu with exotic flavors is served in a wood-paneled dining room.

Luca

Lisbon

This Italian restaurant owned by an Italian has a contemporary interior design and some imaginative and original choices in its menu, from the appetizers to the desserts. It was immediately hailed as one of the city's best Italian restaurants when it opened in the fall of 2004 and has maintained its reputation ever since

Olivier Café

Lisbon

Located in the old Alemã ale-house, Olivier Cafe only serves dinner, which is great for those who appreciate having dinner late in the evening and especially enjoy a dinner accompanied by a DJ. This restaurant has earned a reputation for gastronomic excellence, serving eclectic Mediterranean dishes. The desserts are worth leaving room for, especially the specialty moist chocolate cake wrapped in cherry sauce

Pap'Açorda

Lisbon

Passing through the velvet curtains and seeing the crystal chandeliers immediately suggests that this is one of the most expensive choices in Bairro Alto - but it is also one of the city's leading restaurants. A favorite among most locals, it takes its name from a specialty dish - a soupy bread and seafood mixture. The wine list is monumental, and the homemade chocolate pudding is an excellent way to finish your meal.

Restô do Chapitô

Lisbon

Sharing the premises of a circus school, this restaurant has some of the most captivating views over Lisbon from its terrace and candlelit tables. The menu is limited but the food is good and the service is friendly. The views and atmosphere are ideal for a dinner for two. After dinner you may want to join an audience of artists and bohemian students for live music, a theater show, or a drink at the bar downstairs.

Tavares

Lisbon

Opened in 1784, Tavares Rico is Lisbon's oldest restaurant. It is also one of its most expensive, with a luxurious, opulently gilded interior. But the atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed in such a palatial setting, and the food is first class. A true Lisbon experience

Terreiro do Paço

Lisbon

Conde Nast Traveller magazine listed this restaurant, located under the colonnaded arcades of Comercio Square, among the world's top 50. Modern renditions of ancient Portuguese dishes by an award-winning chef and a superb wine list justify the distinction. The restaurant “Terreiro do Paço” is a partnership between Hotel Quinta das Lágrimas (Coimbra) and Chef Vitor Sobral, that teamed up to create a landmark restaurant for Portuguese cuisine in one of the most amazing squares in the world. Vitor Sobral is not only a leading reference in Portugal’s contemporary food scene but also a master of our country’s rich gastronomic traditions that are in reality the inspiration for his creations