Destination Lisbon

Eating & drinking

In Lisbon, you can eat both extensively and fashionably, or simply in a traditional restaurant. There is more Portuguese atmosphere in the simpler establishments. Small restaurants can be found everywhere and need not be booked. But it is better to reserve a table at most of the restaurants listed below. Many restaurants are closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Eleven

One of Lisbon's most sophisticated restaurants, with sculptures by Joana Vasconcelos in the entrance and the post-modern cube at the highest point of the Eduardo VII Park. The kitchen is headed by Joachim Koerper who has already worked everywhere in Iberia and whose work was celebrated by the Guide Rouge.
Address: Rua Marquês de Fronteira

Bica do Sapato

Trendy restaurant that makes a good living from the fact that John Malkovich is one of the owners. Retro-decor port warehouse with dining room, bar, sushi bar and small terrace café. Excellent Portuguese and international cuisine.
Address: Cais da Pedra à Bica do Sapato

Vírgula

Port warehouse with an enormous window with views over the river and the old bridge. Cool, modern fittings with art on the wall. Imaginative, modernised Portuguese meals.
Address: Rua Cintura do Porto 16

Martinho da Arcada

One of Lisbon's oldest restaurants. Traditional Portuguese cuisine in a noisy dining room or at a table on the terrace. There is also a café with a nicely paved floor and cheap meals.
Address: Praça do Comércio 3

Nicola

Worldly café with a good terrace where you can watch people on the Rossio Square below. There was a café here as early as the 18th century but the present art nouveau decoration dates from 1929. Restaurant in the basement.
Address: Praça Dom Pedro IV (Rossio)

A Brasileira

Lisbon's other classic café, next to Nicola. Fantastic interior with dark wood dating from 1905, a newsagent and tobacco kiosk and terrace with tables.
Address: Rua Garrett 120

Antiga Confeitaria de Belém

This is where Lisbon's best-known pastry come from, a vanilla cream tart that is called Pastel de Belém here (elsewhere "pastel de nata"). Tastes perfect with a bica, a Portuguese espresso.
Address: Rua de Belém 84-92