Wherever the destination, many travelers are looking for a nice and cosy restaurant to try the traditional food and eat like a local. If that’s your case, Lisbon won’t disappoint you.
Because of the Discoveries and the presence of the Portuguese in different countries around the Globe, the Portuguese cuisine inherited an interesting mix of Mediterranean food with exotic influences from all over the world. We’ve made a list of the Top 10 Local Restaurants in Lisbon.
Tascas
The traditional local restaurants are called “Tascas” in Portuguese (similar to Trattoria in Italian). They normally are small, family owned places but for me, they offer the best experiences for a typical Portuguese meal.
A Provinciana - Travessa do Forno, 23
One of my favorite places in Lisbon, a Provinciana was opened in the 30’s but was bought by the current owner in 1988. The friendly atmosphere, the interesting decoration (it displays a collection of clocks), the wine served from the barrels, the delicious food and cheap prices, make this place one of the most popular Tascas in the Baixa area and a place I personally recommend to family and friends.
Average price per person: 8,00 euros
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 12:00 to 15:30 and 19:00 to 22:00
Sunday: Closed
Tasca do Zé dos Cornos – Beco dos Surradores, 5
This popular Tasca is located in the Mouraria area, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lisbon. It’s a rather small restaurant but is normally busy with people waiting outside to be seated. It’s famous for the grilled dishes and I recommend trying the pork ribs, the grilled codfish and the grilled octopus.
Average price per person: 10,00 euros
Opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday: 12:00 to 16:00
Thursday to Saturday: 12:00 to 16:00 and 19:00 to 23:00
Sunday: Closed
O Trigueirinho – Largo dos Trigueiros, 17
Located in a quiet small square in Mouraria, o Trigueirinho is a small cosy tasca and very popular among the locals because of the excellent food and cheap prices. The mackerel with special sauce and the pork liver are some of the most popular dishes.
Average price per person: 10,00 euros
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 12:30 to 15:30 and 20:00 to 22:30
Saturday: 12:30 to 15:30
Sunday: closed
Bonjardim – Travessa de Santo Antão, 12
Bonjardin is a very traditional restaurant in Lisbon as it was the first to serve spit-roasted chicken according to an article in Flama magazine in 1965. The famous Portuguese chicken is served with a special sauce, for which is a secret recipe and French-fries on the side. I’d recommend sitting outside to enjoy the nice weather.
Average price per person: 12,00 euros
Opening hours:
Thursday: 19:00 to 23:00
Friday to Tuesday: 12:00 to 23:30
Wednesday: Closed
Marisqueira Uma – Rua dos Sapateiros, 177
This traditional restaurant is famous for one dish, the Arroz de Marisco, a Portuguese version of the Traditional Spanish Paella and it was recently voted the 14th most delicious dish in the World, according to users of TasteAtlas, a website where people share their food experiences around the world. It’s definitely a must!
Average price per person: 15,00 euros
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 22:00
Sunday: Closed
A Licorista e o Bacalhoeiro – Rua dos Sapateiros, 218
They were actually two different shops opened in 1917. A Licorista was a traditional liquor Factory and one of the regulars was the famous Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa. O Bacalhoeiro was a traditional codfish shop. In 1997, they were joined and became a restaurant, specially famous for the codfish recipes like the Bacalhau a minhota and Bacalhau a Brás. The octopus salad and the sardines are also good options.
Average price per person: 15,00 euros
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 22:00
Sunday: Closed
Zé da Mouraria - R. João do Outeiro 24
This Tasca located in Mouraria is open just for lunch and is quiet popular among the locals. It’s not as cheap as other tascas in the area but normally the very big portions are enough for 2 people. I recommend trying the bifinhos ao alhinho (garlic steak), its most popular dish.
Average price per person: 15,00 euros
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 12:00 to 16:00
Sunday: Closed
O Marques – Travessa do Forno, 9
Another popular tasca hidden on a side street. O Marques won’t disappoint if you’re looking for a traditional place with excellent food. I recommend trying Bacalhau a Marques (House codfish) and bife na pedra (Steak on a stone).
Average price per person: 10,00 euros
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 9:00 to 23:00
Sunday: Closed
Merendinha do Arco da Bandeira – Rua dos Sapateiros, 230
Merendinha do Arco was opened in 1944 and still keeps the charm of the traditional tascas in Lisbon. I recommend the Portuguese Stew on Thursdays and the codfish with grains on Friday.
Average price per person: 12,00 euros
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 to 20:00
Saturday: 10:00 to 15:00
Sunday: Closed
Maça Verde – Rua Caminhos de Ferro, 1100
Located close to Santa Apolonia station, this tasca used to be called green apple (in English) but after the Expo-98, the owner decided to change the name to the Portuguese version (maça verde). I recommend the slices of Iberian pig on the grill and the mixed grilled barbecue.
Average price per person: 12,00 euros
Opening times:
Monday to Friday: 12:00 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 23:00
Saturday: 12:00 to 15:00
Sunday: Closed
Be aware that in Lisbon, it’s common for the restaurants to serve olives, bread, butter, cheese and other entrees without letting you know they are all charged.
Service is not included so a tip is normally expected from foreign visitors.
If you want to eat like a local, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy at least one meal in a local restaurant in Lisbon. Enjoy it!