The new restaurants in Lisbon, which have further enlivened the city’s gastronomic scene, are real gems that you really have to try. If you don’t know what we’re talking about, in this list you’ll find the best restaurants of 2024, at least for us, who have visited and “tasted” them.
If there’s one thing Lisboners like to do, it’s go out for dinner! Think with us: when was the last time you went out for a stroll in the city and ended up in a restaurant?
In 2024, we visited some of the best restaurants Lisbon has to offer, focusing more on those that have opened throughout this year, or that we’ve only just had the chance to try.
If you’ve missed any, now’s your chance to visit them, because Lisbon has been named the best culinary destination in Europe.
Eliseu dos Leitões
No, this isn’t the first time we’ve eaten at Eliseu dos Leitões, Lisbon’s best suckling pigs can now be enjoyed at a new location on Avenida da Liberdade… and the first space has now been renovated.
Address: Rua Duque de Palmela 20 (entrance on Avenida da Liberdade, Hotel Turim); Rua Álvaro Benamor 2, 2B (Carnide near Colombo Shopping Center)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Our experience: this menu is simply delicious
Lovely Castelo
A new addition to the list of Lisbon’s best restaurants, located within the walls of São Jorge Castle, this was one of our last visits and gastronomic experiences of 2024 which, just for the fantastic view over Lisbon, is well worth a visit.
Address: Rua de Santa Cruz do Castelo (inside the walls of São Jorge Castle)
Opening hours: every day from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (winter); from 9.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (summer)
Our experience: we ate this
ÀCosta by Olivier
We haven’t yet had the chance to tell you about our experience at chef-entrepreneur Olivier da Costa’s latest space, but we can already tell you that it was phenomenal. Stay tuned to these pages because it will be one of the first reviews of 2025.
Address: Avenida Infante Dom Henrique A (Doca da Marinha)
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday, from 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 12.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.
Menu suggestion: we had some of the dishes from the Executive Menu
Fama d’Alfama
This Fado house in Alfama is another of the places we visited in 2024, but which we haven’t yet had a chance to review on these pages. We lift the veil to tell you that we were very surprised by the quality of the cuisine and, of course, the fado singers.
Address: Rua do Terreiro do Trigo 80 (Alfama, next to Santa Apolónia station)
Opening hours: every day
Menu suggestion: we had some of these delicious snacks
Real Pérola by Olivier
Ever since we went to Real Pérola, also by Chef Olivier, when people talk about seafood, we can only think of the spectacular gastronomic experience we had here, with some of the freshest seafood in town.
Address: Rua da Escola Politécnica 247 (Rato)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 12pm to 3pm and from 7pm to midnight
Our experience: we ate this
Taberna Meia Porta
We were impressed with almost everything we ate at this friendly tavern, which now occupies one of the oldest snack bars in the capital. From the starters (pickles) to the desserts (Arroz Gelado Doce), this place is a must in the capital.
Address: Travessa do Alcaide 22A
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 7pm to 10pm; Fridays and Saturdays, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Our experience: we tried it all
Madeira Island
Of course, in terms of an immersive experience, it will never be the same as eating in a local restaurant, but Ilha da Madeiras gives us practically all the sensations of what it’s like to be in a Madeiran restaurant, especially when we talk about the gastronomy and, of course, the wonderful ponchas.
Address: Rua Campo de Ourique 33
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. and from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Our experience: “eating” Madeira without leaving Lisbon
Pot Tat
The Governor’s Palace is home to one of the most fantastic gastronomic tastings we had in 2024, starting with the beautiful space above the arcades and ending with a menu that is to eat and cry for more… for much more. We haven’t yet told you about our experience in one of the best restaurants of the year, but we promise to at the beginning of 2025.
Address: Rua Bartolomeu Dia 117 (Belém)
Opening hours: every day from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Menu suggestion: here are some of the delights of this restaurant
Santa
We must have had one of the best octopuses in Lisbon at this restaurant in Alfama, the Polvo do Povo, but we were also very pleased with the rest of the menu, the sangria and, of course, the decor, which is very beautiful and original.
Address: Rua São João da Praça 103 (Alfama)
Opening hours: every day from 10am to midnight
Our experience: this octopus is something
JNcQUOI Asia
It never goes out of fashion and always has menus that make your head and stomach rave, as good and original as they are. And we haven’t even mentioned the incredible decoration of the various spaces, which make a visit here one of the best experiences in the city.
Address: Avenida da Liberdade 144 (Restauradores)
Opening hours: Sunday to Wednesday, from 12 noon to 2 a.m.; Thursday to Saturday, from 12 noon to 2 a.m.
Our experience: every visit here is a delight for our taste buds
Sky Bar by SEEN
If Lisbon has some of the best rooftops in Europe, Sky Bar by SEEN is one of them, and the last time we went there we were able to prove it, because in addition to excellent service, it has an extraordinary food and drinks menu.
Address: Avenida da Liberdade 185
Hours: every day from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.
Our experience: you can see the stars up close from here, and your stomach will thank you too
Mixed Martial Rice
It was in a very simple space full of pop culture references that we tasted the tastiest Pad Thai served on the edge of town, in Benfica. We believe that if Mixed Martial Rice were located in the center of Lisbon, many queues would form at its doors.
Address: Rua Cecília Meireles (Mercado de S. Domingos de Benfica)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 10.30pm
Our experience: it’s our favorite Pad Thai in Lisbon
Formosa
It’s not often that we’re totally surprised by what we’re served. Even less often do we find very special places that make us feel really good, which is what we found in this little corner of Príncipe Real.
Address: Rua de O Século 149A (Príncipe Real)
Opening hours: every day from 12 noon to 3pm and from 6.30pm to 10.30pm
Our experience: these beautiful places in Lisbon are worth finding
Horta, in Páteo Alfacinha
This is one of the best restaurants and it’s only open during the months when it’s hottest, from the beginning of summer until the end of September, but it’s well worth the experience, in a place that’s more like a Little People’s Portugal, in Páteo Alfacinha. And the food? It’s very good and of high quality, as is the view!
Address: Rua do Guarda Joias 44 (Páteo Alfacinha)
Opening hours: summer months
Menu suggestion: there’s always fish of the day, then you can choose from themenu
Focacceria BM
It was the first time we had focaccia in Lisbon, and we feel like we’ve landed in one of the best places to prepare this delicious Italian sandwich, filled with the most wonderful things you can stuff into two slices of bread.
Address: Rua Bartolomeu Dias 134A
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 12pm to 7pm; Sundays from 12pm to 5pm
Our experience: we tried the house specialties
Mogokoro Ramen (Amoreiras)
We’d already been to the place near Santa Apolónia station, so we went to check out the new restaurant near Amoreiras and proved it: at Mogokoro they really do serve one of our favorite ramens in Lisbon.
Address: Rua Prof. Sousa da Câmara 138A (Amoreiras) Rua Caminhos de Ferro 136 (next to Santa Apolónia station)
Opening hours: every day, from 12 noon to 3.30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
Our experience: we’ve eaten almost everything on this menu, but the ramens are incredible
Smash Burgers in Lisbon
We couldn’t finish this list of the best restaurants without mentioning the gastronomic trend that has been smash burgers throughout the city, starting with the opening of two or three brands and now almost two handfuls serving these delicious hamburgers pressed on a griddle. Here’s a list of our favorites.