Urbanaut

by Srila Very unassuming but a very cool restaurant that delivers Cantonese style cuisine with modern flavours.

by Srila If you’re looking for a quintessential European bistro, this is it. You can picture yourself living an alternate life as you dive into the select menu, replete with natural wines. Brimming with cheer and charm

Ceres Boulangerie

by Srila A little french patisserie in the heart of the historic São Bento neighborhood that offers the most divine croissants, choquettes, eclairs and tartines - all freshly made for the day. Carrying some Portuguese staples too - this little cafe is a perfect short stop either before or after you explore the famous antique stores of São Bento.

Esperança da Sé

by Srila A one minute walk from Lisbon Cathedral - this cafe serves great Italian food in an atmospheric setting. The outdoor seating area faces the Sé and you can genuinely relax despite being in the heart of historic center. You can’t go wrong ordering family-style sharing a couple of pizzas and their delicious ravioli.

A Cevicheria

by Srila In the trendy neighborhood of Principe Real, is Portuguese chef Kiko Martin’s Peruvian restaurant: A Cevicheria. A clear ode to seafood, this stylish nook is always buzzing. Small plates, surprising flavors and a remarkable detail to presentation is what makes this place fresh and worth trying out. Don’t worry about the queue outside, it moves pretty fast - instead enjoy a pisco sour (or several) while you wait. You won’t be disappointed.

Imprensa Cocktail and Oyster Bar

by Srila Artisanal cocktails + fresh oysters from Setubal, all located in the trendy neighborhood of Principe Real…need we say more? The lovely team at Imprensa, will even make something bespoke if you find nothing on their menu that suits your tastes.

Mú - Gelato Italiano

by Srila An artisanal ice-cream shop tucked away next to the park at Campo Martires da Patria - a residential corner above Lisbon’s tourist locales. The shop boasts fresh, natural ingredients with plenty of lactose and gluten-free flavors, so you won’t be disappointed.

ZeroZero Príncipe Real

by Srila The best pizza in all of Lisbon has to be Zero Zero. The restaurant is casual with a consistently great vibe. The outdoor seating area is the place to be sat, with its lush garden setting (open only during summer). Great cocktails, reasonably priced and family-friendly. Very reliable.

Landeau Chocolate

by Srila No kidding, the best chocolate cake in the whole of Lisbon. (And arguably, the world over). Besides this one in Chiado, they have three other cafes in Sao Bento, LX Factory and El Cortes Ingles. Each cafe is decorated with a simple, cosy aesthetic - perfect for a book, or a chat with a friend. This should not need repeating, but: Do not skip the chocolate cake!!

Chapitô à Mesa

by Srila Located below the walls of the São Jorge Castle, Chapitô à Mesa is a Lisbon mainstay. A unique offering combining three different Portuguese concepts in a single space: eating indoors, outdoors on the belvedere area, or the terrace with a regular program of shows and events. The reason to go here is for the view at night! It’s truly one of the best Lisbon has to offer. A dinner reservation in the indoor restaurant is hard to beat when it comes to ambience. Effortless romance and a dazzling view are guaranteed.

Embaixada

by Srila An 18th-century neo-Moorish palace that houses an attractive collection of pop-up boutiques and stores: featuring mainly independent Portuguese designers. You will find high quality design from fashion, jewelry, cosmetics to chic interior decor. The ground floor hosts a cool bar called the “Gin Lovers Bar & Restaurant”. The whole palace is atmospheric and is especially enjoyable for shoppers with a penchant for great design and discovering upcoming artists.

Terraço Chill-Out Limão

by Srila Housed on top of the very charming Hotel H10 Duque de Louléis is a rooftop venue with a panoramic view of Lisbon. An intimate setting, it works best for a twosome or a cosy four-some. It’s a chic little spot, and not particularly touristy (so far anyway!) as it’s located away from the historic center.

Han - Table Barbecue

by Srila A hole-in-the-wall chinese-korean bbq spot. Uncannily reasonable and never disappointing. This place is located away from all the tourist traps - and is a local favorite so, be warned, it’s nearly always busy!! So try and make a reservation in advance.

Sky Bar

by Srila Not going to lie, this place at first can seem bougie AF but it’s huge, spacious, can accommodate big groups and offers another unique vista that captures Lisbon in all it’s glory. The food is actually really good and so is the service! Come for mellow vibes before sunset, or for a high-energy night out after!

SOI - Asian Street Food

by Srila The clue is in the name. This place means street food and its offering is bold! Unafraid to be spicy, the menu is super authentic and genuinely sumptuous. The location is pretty fab too, so if you’re looking for good Asian food that is moderately priced this is a great place to go.

BAHR

by Ana Silva In the Bairro-Alto hotel you’ll find Bahr - a casual-dining restaurant helmed by famous Lisboa chef Nuno Mendes. Expect inventive cuisine, fresh ingredients and incredible pairings. If you’re in the mood for something more casual, the Terrace, extended from the main restaurant, has its own cosy menu and is a perfect spot for brunch or sundown cocktails. It’s a great rooftop bar with lovely views in a trendy neighbourhood.

Park

by Ana Silva Close to the trendy Bairro Alto and Cais do Sodre areas is a rooftop bar called Park. It is literally on top of a car park so watching the late summer sunset from there is incredible. This is one of my favorite places.

Memmo Alfama Terrace

by Ana Silva Located right in the middle of the buzzing, trendy Alfama district is this terrace bar with breathtaking views of the Tagus river. With the iconic red swimming pool on the terrace (which you can look at but only hotel guests are allowed to swim in), this is a lovely relaxed rooftop spot perfect for sundowners. Good wine list, and a nice little cocktail menu and Portuguese tapas for nibbles.

TOPO MARTIM MONIZ

by Ana Silva Chic, trendy and unpretentious - this rooftop bar has a fun, casual vibe and a nice indoor-outdoor terrace area. They’ve got great cocktails, fantastic views of the red-roofed homes and also have good food. It’s both a restaurant and bar so a good place for a full evening.

LuxFrágil

by Ana Silva So this is the most famous club in Lisbon and also has great music (techno, electronica). It gets going around 2 or 3 am and stays open until 7 am so this one is for the nocturnal ones. However - they have been known to turn away people or charge obnoxious fees for no apparent reason so be warned! In that sense it’s a typical nightclub with difficult bouncers and long lines - so it can be hard for tourists. But it’s a great place to dance and really have an all-out night.

Nunes Real Marisqueira

by Ana Silva Probably among the top 3 seafood restaurants in Lisbon. You’re guaranteed the freshest catch, and the highest-quality of food. You can’t go wrong with the day’s specials or whatever they recommend.

Descobre

by Ana Silva Modern Portuguese cuisine in a charming restaurant with two lovely owners. They have an extensive wine menu and are great with pairings as well. Try their recommendations. They are dog-friendly and even have vegetarian options. During the non-summer season they have an ‘indoor-garden’ area that is nice.

Laurentina

by Ana Silva One of the best places to eat Cod in Lisbon - this is a classic restaurant. They have outdoor esplanade seating as well and it’s a great place to visit for good seafood (and of course, Cod).

Las Ficheras

by Ana Silva Cute and casual Mexican spot. It’s informal and got a good vibe and great cocktails.

Pharmacia

by Ana Silva Set in a stunning building with an esplanade and elevated interiors - Pharmacia may be quite pricey for the average local but the food is always excellent. Helmed by Chef Susana Felicidade, Pharmacia is well worth a visit.

Irmão

by Urbanaut Bali meets Burning Man in this ‘place of happiness’. Lounge beds, seasonal food, and a transcendent sense of community is what you’ll get at this gorgeous beachfront restaurant and bar. Located in the popular Costa da Caparica area - this is a great place to feel beautiful and be surrounded by beautiful people and ‘happy’ vibes

MARQUISE

by Urbanaut Concept store, cafe, bakery and overall design forward space - Marquise is also a cute place to work from, if you’re so inclined.

by Urbanaut A chic and trendy spot where the food, wine and events are all curated thoughtfully. It’s an experimental space and their events are worth going to.

Casa do Alentejo

by Urbanaut Chances are you’ve seen this very photogenic building on the ‘gram. This beautiful Moorish palace is worth a visit just to admire the architecture - but they also often host events and cultural happenings. There’s a restaurant and taberna in the courtyard as well for once you’re done admiring the palace.

IZANAGI - SushiCafé

by Srila Japanese food on a terrace overlooking the Tagus river is a solid choice for a lazy afternoon lunch in Lisbon.

Pastelaria Alcôa

by Srila An unmissable sweet shop serving an authentic tableau of Portuguese pastries. Specializing in traditional recipes devised by Cistercian monks as far back as the 15th century, their pastries are startlingly beautiful, and incredibly tasty. We urge you to try something besides the pastel de nata (even though it’s an award winner) and please note that there are several eggless options too - just ask them!

Restaurante sem vergonha

by Srila Translated to English, “Sem Verghona” means ‘shameless’ or ‘without sin’. If you’ve been meaning to try Lisbon’s seafood fare - this is a local haunt, which makes the atmosphere relaxed. The restaurant is open all day and you can eat and drink for however long you like. There is a great patio outside, if the weather permits. They pride themselves on the freshest catch of the day, but feel free to experiment and try the prawn curry too.

JNcQUOI Asia

by Srila A trendy upmarket restaurant on the very fashionable Avenida Liberdade. A stunning eatery, with a pan-asian menu: both working in tandem to tell a story of Portugal’s colonial history. If you can excuse the mild (or perhaps on the nose!) orientalist perspective and are looking to splurge a little and go some place dressy - this should be on your list. The food is honestly worth it. Seriously excellent cocktails and a great DJ on the weekends. Literally every corner of this restaurant is decorated exquisitely and the outdoor terrace is an added bonus.

LxFactory

by Srila One of the coolest stops in Lisbon has to be LX Factory. Situated in a redeveloped 19th century industrial site is a modern art centre that houses restaurants, book stores, designers and artists and very interesting start-ups. It’s a great place to hang out, kid-friendly too with plenty to see and discover over the course of the day. Their graffiti-laden walls are glorious and will surprise you at every corner. There’s live music in the evenings and check their calendar for bigger bands/ artists over the year. Definitely explore their website before you head over.

Ground Burger

by Srila If you’re looking for an old-school American-style hamburger this burger joint is the place to go. Freshly made buns, great fries flavoured with garlic and rosemary, indulgent milkshakes - you can’t go wrong here. Even their Lobster Burger is a huge hit. They share retail space with Crush Doughnuts which are the most indulgent, but unmissable desserts you will come across.

Cacué

by Srila If you want great portuguese food, this sparkling little dining room far away from the tourist spots can’t be recommended enough. Cacue prides itself in keeping the ‘tasca’ culture alive - so this is the place you want to try portuguese classics like the pica-pau (a beef-pickle) and the Gambas ao alho (prawns and garlic). Don’t forget to order a glass of Rosé or ask their friendly servers for a recommendation.

AronSushi - Saldanha

by Srila Aron sushi serves more traditional style Japanese cuisine. This restaurant is unassuming but its newest avatar is located on the premises of Mercado 31 de Janeiro i.e. right next to the best fishmongers in the city. It is on the pricier side of things: but the quality rivals the fanciest sushi restaurants world over. If you want high-quality Japanese food this is where you should go.

Pensão Amor

by Ana Silva Lisbon locals hang out in two main areas at night before going out (much later!). These areas are Cais do Sodre and Bairro Alto. The bars in these neighborhoods start getting busy around 11pm. Pensao Amor is a great place in Cais do Sodre to hang out in the evening and even for a little warm-up dancing before you hit the club. I think you’ll like it. Think burlesque erotica meets raucous fun and you’ll get the vibe. They even have an erotic book library collection!

Manteigaria (Portuguese custard pies factory)

by Urbanaut While Pasteis de Belem gets a lot of press for being the original creators of the famed Portuguese tart, locals in the know may point you toward Manteigaria for an authentic, buttery tart that ages well for a few hours after even. The light, custard-filled Pastel de Nata are expertly made in front of your eyes (none of the secrecy of Pasteis de Belem) by white-coated chefs, and a ringing bell signifies that your hot batch is ready and waiting to be eaten with a bica (or Portuguese espresso). Perfect.

Pavilhão Chinês

by Srila Pavilhão Chinês is a strange little bar in the trendy neighborhood of Principe Real, which operates like a speak easy post eleven pm. You need to ring the doorbell to be allowed in. Once inside, you are transported to a wild world of kitsch. Miniature dolls, war memorabilia cram every available space - you spend a while taking it all in. There’s a smoky pool room in one of the interior rooms - it’s great bar if you want to go to a place where you can actually hear each other speak!

Pastéis de Belém

by Ana Silva The birthplace of Lisbon’s legendary custard tart - Pastel de Nata. You’ll find endless queues, long waits and a busy, buzzy space. Many locals think you get better Pastel de Nata in smaller establishments but this is a legendary , historical establishment. Go early to try and beat the queues, pair with a trip to the Jeronimos Monastery (which is where the custard was truly invented - by the nuns of the monastery who handed the tarts over to a nearby sugar shop - voila - Pasteis de Belem) and walk away the calories during the rest of the day.

Café de São Bento

by Ana Silva Awarded the best steak in Lisbon and they may deserve the title. Go here if you’re craving a good steak and don’t forget to ring the doorbell to be allowed in! The cafe almost resembles an English pub, with its deep red color scheme and cozy nooks. It’s a Lisbon classic.

Lost In

by Srila Lost In has a huge and lovely outdoor terrace, with an unbeatable view in Principe Real. The decor is intentionally kitsch with an easy breezy vibe. It works well for large groups and you can spend a relaxed couple of hours getting beers and tapas.

Café Buenos Aires

by Ana Silva A very charming restaurant with a lovely outdoor area at the top of the hill. The views are great and the steak is fantastic. So your walk up the hill will be well rewarded.

Campo de Ourique Market

by Srila Campo De Ourique Market is the smaller, more local and perhaps saner version of Time Out Market. It’s a nice break from the tourist heavy center of Lisbon, with its restaurant stalls serving fresh fish, oysters, steaks and a host of local produce for you to try. Its cheerful, family friendly vibes extend to the neighborhood beyond, and lunch here can be a nice way to kick off an exploration of a modern Portuguese neighborhood that has retained all of its cultural charm.