I’ve visited Portugal three times and have traveled to various parts of the country including Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, and the Algarve. But the one place that I keep coming back to in Lisbon. I love this picturesque destination for many reasons, including their world-class cuisine. Seafood, boiled potatoes, and rice are some of Portugal’s most classic staples. To help you navigate where to dine in the cobble-stoned city, here are some of my top recommendations varying from local favorites to a few highly rated spots.
1. Duque
For all of my seafood lovers, Duque is a must-visit. This establishment is famous for their high-quality seafood dishes such as confit cod, sea bass, and shellfish. The “Sea Rice” is my favorite thing to order and features a mix of mussels, clams, and prawns in a light cilantro-based sauce. If you aren’t a fan of seafood, there are vegetarian and meat options available as well. When planning to visit Duque, don’t forget to make a reservation ahead of time because it’s very popular!
Location:📍Chiado
What I Recommend: Seafood, Shellfish, Bread & Olive trio
Price: €€
2. Rocco
Rocco is a hidden gem that I pride myself in discovering because of the incredible ambiance, premium service, and traditional Portuguese cuisine offered. Located inside The Ivens Hotel, Rocco offers delicious cuisine in a luxurious setting that isn’t overbearing or crowded.
From my experience, A staff member welcomed me and took me to the bar for a relaxing lunch. The atmosphere is luxurious, but not intimidating. I immediately ordered an Aperol Spritz that was perfectly made. Afterward, I ordered the “Prawn Risotto” and the presentation was beautiful. It was a lovely dish that was cooked with high-quality ingredients.
Before leaving the establishment, I headed to the restroom where my jaw dropped as I was amazed by the interior design. You are immediately taken to another universe that is truly a work of art. Mirrors are adorned with gold, rose decor everywhere, and rich colors. The best way to accurately describe this place is comparing it to the famous restroom design of Annabel’s Mayfair in London. It was luxurious with so much attention to detail.
Overall, Rocco is a best kept secret that only locals and hotel guests visit. You will not see crowds of tourists waiting to sit down, which is why I loved my experience because I had the privacy and comfort of not being in a crowded place. Rocco is perfect for lunch and dinner, with dinner hour being the busiest time. However, you can also stop by for a drink at the bar that doesn’t require a reservation.
Location:📍Chiado
What I Recommend: Cocktails & Risotto
Price: €€€
3. Swaagat
Indian food in Lisbon? Yes, it exists and people love it. I’ve visited Swaagat twice and have enjoyed toe food. It reminds me of my grandma’s cooking, which has a special place in my heart.
The menu has a wide variety of typical Indian dishes with something for everyone like Chicken Tikka Masala, Dahl Tadka, and Chicken Korma. Their “Chana Masala” and “Roti” are delicious and authentic-tasting dishes that I recommend ordering. “Roti” is a whole wheat bread that’s thin and crispy, the opposite of naan.
Swaagat also has delicious drinks and a great wine list. I have sipped on their typical “Chai” (Indian spiced tea) and “Red Fruity Sangria”. You can expect to see this restaurant packed in the evening for dinner. However, it is a great lunchtime spot as well.
Location:📍 Chiado
What I Recommend: Channa Masala, Roti, Tadka Dahl, Chai, Red Fruity Sangria
Price: €€
4. 100 Maneiras
100 Maneiras is a stylish bistro for low-key drinks and dinner. They offer house cocktails, an extensive wine list, and a large menu of food.
For something to eat, I recommend ordering the “Saffron Risotto”. For the price you pay, your meal is filled with a generous amount of saffron (aka spice gold) that gives the risotto its color and taste.
Saffron is an expensive spice that is harvested and sold in countries like Morocco and India. It is used in cooking and textiles to create the gold hue for pairs of traditional Moroccan shoes called babouche.
Saffron is sold for a hefty price tag because of the delicate labor process and extensive time it takes hand-collect them. Like truffles and caviar, saffron is a delicacy and is famous all over the world.
Location:📍Chiado
What I Recommend: Saffron Risotto & Cocktails
Price: €€
5. Bairro Do Avillez
If there’s one place you can’t leave Lisbon without trying, it’s Bairro Do Avillez. This famous hub is known for having multiple small restaurants within one big space. I’ve passed by numerous times while exploring Lisbon and have always seen it busy!
Their “Bulhão Pato” clams are of the highest quality, cooked in white wine & cilantro sauce. While this spot is on the pricier side, I understand why due to the quality provided and the touristic nature of it.
Location:📍Chiado
What I recommend: Bulhão Pato
Price: €€€
6. Come Prima
Where are my pasta lovers? Rated as one of the 70 best Italian restaurants in the world, Come Prima has some of the finest Italian cuisines I have ever had. This spot has been in business for almost 25 years and has phenomenal dishes. Located in Chiado, they have a large menu with a great variety of different pasta dishes. I ordered the “Spaghetti Nero con Gamberetti e Vongole” which features a light, yet delicious pesto sauce.
My meal was delicious overall and the shellfish was of high quality.
While the food was fantastic, the service did not match it. Unfortunately, the service was lacking due to a busy period in the restaurant. The staff was running around trying to cater to everyone at once, but it wasn’t possible. While the service wasn’t up to par, I understand and appreciate their efforts. Furthermore, I have never seen a restaurant so busy on a Monday evening. It looks like everyone is dying to visit Come Prima!
Did I mention the prices are great for what you’re given? I presumed that a restaurant rated as one of the best Italian spots in the world would have extortionate prices, but that wasn’t the case. Everything was moderately priced and my Aperol spritz was under €7.
Location:📍Chiado
What I recommend: Spaghetti Nero con Gamberetti e Vongole
Price: €€
7. Santini
I could not finish this article without including at least one place to grab a dessert. If you love gelato like me, check out the famous Santini. This gelateria has been open for almost a hundred years with numerous locations throughout Portugal. I first tried Santini in Cascais and fell in love with their blueberry gelato. It tastes like heaven and is fresh (no artificial flavors here!). There are multiple locations around Lisbon, making it easily accessible.
Locations:📍Chiado, Belém, Príncipe Real, Amoreiras, Luz
What I recommend: Blueberry Gelato
Price: €
Overall, I hope you enjoyed reading my Lisbon food guide! If you have any questions feel free to send me a message on Instagram @sonia.ambika Have a great week and cheers to June, the official start of summer! 🙂
