If you’ve never had the experience of eating one of Lisbon’s best bifanas—
especially when the sauce overflows and makes us happier—
then follow our guide for one of the most incredible and delicious culinary journeys
you can take in the city.
It may seem easy, but making bifanas is an art that not everyone has mastered!
Just ask the famous English chef Gordon Ramsay, who, in one of his attempts to recreate a Portuguese bifana, ended up creating something completely different—
which earned him harsh criticism in the comments sections on social media.
Lucky for you, we know the best spots to try juicy bifanas—
no frills, no “gourmet” gimmicks. And you don’t even need to go to Vendas Novas because these spots really know what they’re doing
to make your mouth water.
Table Of Contents
naBOA
@vleandro
naBOA brings the spirit of old-school taverns to Rua da Boavista, in a laid-back space that functions as an authentic sports bar. With strategically placed giant screens and beer for €1.60, it’s the ideal hangout for watching games with friends.
The main reason to visit is the authentic Porto-style bifana. The pork is cut into small pieces and cooked slowly, served on a papo-seco bun that completely soaks up the intense and addictive sauce. It’s one of those sandwiches where it’s almost impossible not to order a second one.
Address:
Rua da Boavista 128 (between Santos and Cais do Sodré)
Afonso’s Bifanas
@vleandro
It’s no coincidence that the article about Afonso’s Bifanas is one of the most-read ever
on Lisboa Secreta.
Everyone wants to know where it is,
why it’s so famous, and what the secret is behind this little spot on Rua da Madalena,
next to Largo do Caldas.
If you’re curious too, the best thing to do is head over there and brave the lines, because the bifanas are truly worth it.
That meat sauce that soaks into the bread
makes this little treat seem like a veritable feast of the gods.
Address:
Rua da Madalena 146 (Lisbon Cathedral)
Afonso’s Bifanas at the Lisbon Art Stay Hotel
@vleandro
That’s right! If you didn’t know already, you can now try Afonso’s famous bifanas at another location in downtown Lisbon.
And best of all, there aren’t any lines there yet.
So hurry, because it won’t be long before the intersection of Rua dos Sapateiros and Rua da Assunção
gets pretty crowded.
We’ve already stopped by and loved it—
we took advantage of the small side counter to enjoy two bifanas (you can also sit on the
patio or inside
the Lisbon Art Stay Hotel) and confirmed that the recipe
is exactly the same as at the original location, down to the last detail. Could this expansion be a sign that we might see As Bifanas do Afonso open in more locations around Lisbon? We sure hope so!
Address:
Rua dos Sapateiros, 158, at the corner of Rua da Assunção
A Parreirinha do Chile
@vleandro
“Wines. Soft drinks. Tobacco.”
The storefront highlights these products, but the real specialty is the delicious bifana they make there.
Tasty and affordable,
made with fresh pork and just the right amount of sauce, it’s served in a small space (about 25 square meters) in Arroios, but with plenty of warmth.
In addition to fried pork sandwiches, they also sell grilled ones,
as well as pork rind sandwiches (another house specialty), entremeada (cured pork ), pork rinds, and even some surprising cod fillet sandwiches…
not to mention the prego, which is also one of the best we’ve ever had.
Address:
Praça do Chile 14A (Arroios)
Triângulo da Ribeira
This tavern is a true institution in Cais do Sodré,
capable of bringing together all kinds of customers
at the counter —
from the neighbor who’s been going there for 35 years to famous chefs and even tourists from the other side of the world.
Everyone is there for the famous bifanas, served on wood-fired bread with generous helpings of sauce.
The owner, Vitor Creado, says the secret lies in the quality of the meat—tender, free of gristle, and all from the same cut—
but also in the sauce,
“made with wine, garlic, and a few other things.”
And what are those other things? That remains a secret known only to the gods.
If you prefer, the restaurant also serves pregos, chamuças, rissóis, and codfish cakes.
Address:
Rua da Ribeira Nova 48 (Cais do Sodré)
O Trevo
Photo: Ringo Giacobelis
Anthony Bourdain brought it even more fame,
but Lisboners have been enjoying it for many years.
“The glory of Lisbon,” as the late host of the show “No Reservations” called it, offers a unique bifana,
served on a carcaça bun, with the meat spilling out and a bit of sauce adding the finishing touch.
This café’s strategic location—at the entrance to Bairro Alto, at the top of Chiado, right in Largo de Camões—
is half the battle won, but we’re sure that even if it were in Picheleira or Moinhos da Funcheira (out near the tip of Amadora), there would still be lines.
Some say the grilled beef sandwich is even better than the bifana,
but that’s another discussion.
If you’d like to try something different, there are other options too, such as the Bitoque à Trevo, the omelets, the alheira with sides, or the daily specials, which are always different.
Address:
Praça Luís de Camões 48
Casa das Bifanas at Praça da Figueira
Photo:
@gregmbair“Better
and with more charm than the bifana spot at Praça da Figueira??????? I doubt it….”
Whenever we’ve written an article about bifanas, we’ve received comments like this, so we decided to go there and try them—and, really, those bifanas are truly delicious!
Tourists have discovered them too,
but longtime customers tell us that the quality of the bread and meat is just as good as ever.
This is just one of over 30 options on the menu,
which also includes pataniscas, entremeada, grilled fish, and stewed gizzards.
Address:
Praça da Figueira 6
Map of the best bifanas in Lisbon, and a list for your phone!
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