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Lisbon is the vibrant capital of Portugal and a city that captures hearts with its stunning architecture, historic neighborhoods, and most importantly, its incredible food scene. Lisbon is nestled along the Atlantic coast and offers a culinary tapestry woven with the freshest seafood.
Wandering through the winding streets of Lisbon you are bound to smell the incredible aromas of some of the most flavorful dishes being prepared.
From the rustic charm of local tasca restaurants to the elegance of modern eateries, each dish tells a story of the city’s rich heritage and contemporary creativity. The food here is not just about sustenance; it’s a celebration of life, community, and tradition. As you dive into this culinary adventure, you'll discover that every meal is an opportunity to connect with Lisbon's spirit, its people, and its history.
So, if you are looking for the TOP foods you MUST try on your visit to Lisbon . . .
Here are the top 9 foods and drinks that you simply cannot miss when you are visiting Lisbon:
What to Eat in Lisbon:
9 Must-Try Foods in Lisbon
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1. Pastel de Nata
Pastel de Nata is without a doubt Portugal’s most iconic treat. This small pastry is characterized by a flaky crust filled with a creamy egg custard and topped off with a light cinnamon sprinkle.
The best way to enjoy Pastel de Nata is warm, straight out of the oven with a warm cup of espresso.
An interesting fact about this delightful pastry is that it is told monks from Jerónimos Monastery created this treat from a surplus of egg yolks.
Check out this award-winning bakery for some of the best Pastel de Nata’s in Lisboa.
2. Arroz de Marisco
Arroz de Marisco (also known as seafood rice) is a flavorful dish that is a staple of Portuguese cuisine. Portugal has many seafood-inspired dishes due to its proximity to the ocean.
This dish is often served with a variety of shellfish ranging from clams, mussels, shrimp, and lobster.
There are SO many variations of this dish including ‘black’ seafood rice with the use of ink from an octopus and is not only visually stunning but incredibly tasty.
3. Paella
Though paella is traditionally associated with Spain, Lisbon’s take on this beloved dish is a must-try for any food enthusiast visiting the city. If you are wondering what makes Lisbon’s paella different from Spain’s?
Lisbon’s paella is a rich blend of savory chourico and chicken combined with a medley of seafood.
Now if you are wondering about the difference between paella and seafood rice,
Seafood rice is more soupy consistency (as pictured above).
While paella has soccarat, which is a beautiful layer of crispy, caramelized rice at the bottom of the cast iron pan and is on the dryer side (as pictured below).
For a couple of recommendations of local hole-in-the-walls, check out the notable mentions below:
O Marques is nestled in a short passageway near Praça Dom Pedro IV and has other local restaurants nearby with equally good reviews:
One of the BEST places that I had paella was at Taverna Alfacinha !!
4. Polvo à Lagareiro
Polvo a Lagareiro is a twice-cooked octopus served with potatoes. The method involved first boiling the octupus to achieve optimal tenderness followed by roasting with garlic and olive oil.
This simple, classic, and elegant dish highlights the freshness of high-quality seafood that Portuoguese cuisine is known for.
SAVE THIS RESTAURANT because I promise this will be one of the most memorable paellas you have ever had!
5. Caldo Verde
Caldo Verde (also known as Green Soup) that is a perfect comfort dish on a cold winter day. It is made with kale, potatoes, onions, garlic and chorizo and is a beloved dish for a reason - the slow roast brings out each unique flavor.
As we traveled to Lisbon during winter - this soup was a perfect appetizer to warm up from the cold after a long day of sightseeing.
6. Cod fish ( aka bacalhau )
Salted cod is a staple of Portugal - and although it was not my personal favorite I do recommend at least trying once!
Bacalhau à Brás is a dish famous to Lisbon specifically but you can find variations of this dish across Portugal.
Bacalhau à Brás consists of salted cod, fried potatoes, and onion mixed with eggs and garnished with parsley and black olives.
7. Bitoque
Bitoque is an simple yet satisfying meal that I saw many locales order time and time again. This dish consists of tender steak, served with a fried egg on top and a side salad with fries.
Bitoque is a versatile dish that is served in casual eateries AND in upscale restaurants. My recommendation, try this dish out in multiple settings and see how creative local chefs are!
Another staple worth mentioning is Pastél de Bacalhau.
This is an egg-shaped appetizer made from a fried batter filled with shredded cod, mashed potato, and bound together with eggs.
8. Sardinhas assadas ( aka Grilled Sardines).
Portugal is FAMOUS for its sardine supply and is especially prominent during the summer months.
A simple dish to try is literally sardines salted and grilled to perfection with a side of potatoes, salad and a slide of bread.
9. Portuguese Wine
No trip to Portugal is complete without sampling Portuguese wine!
There are two types of wine that are specific to Portugal:
Vinho Verde
Vinho Verde is known for its light and crisp character and is made from young grapes often harvested early adding a zesty flavor to its profile.
2. Port wine
Port wine is known for its rich, sweet, deep, and complex character. Port wine is often paired as a dessert wine and is very much worth trying during a visit. Special note: this wine is quite rich, so I recommend a small sampling for taste to see if you like it.
This blog post is quite special to me because I often proclaim myself to be a ‘non-foodie’. I am very happy to eat my boiled egg and oatmeal every morning for breakfast (and have been for the last decade).
But writing this list brought back so many special memories of my visit to Lisbon because each dish continued to be better than the last and there is just something special about eating good food in a new place. It’s kind of like when you hear an old song and it brings back memories of a beautiful time in your life.
If you are looking for a way to try all of the Portuguese food in one place -
I HIGHLY recommend a food tour like the one below!
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Meet Priscilla Wanders
A Texas-born traveler exploring life abroad and documenting all the travels in between.