Lisbon food guide
Lisbon Food Guide: 12 Dishes + Where to Eat Them (2026)
Portuguese food is one of Europe’s most underrated — bacalhau in 365 preparations, Atlantic seafood at half-Mediterranean prices, and pastéis de nata that justifiably created their own pilgrimage tourism. Here’s the must-eat Lisbon list.
Pastéis de nata
Custard tarts. Pasteis de Belém is the original (1837); locals will tell you Manteigaria (multiple locations) is better. Both are correct.
Price: 1.20-1.50 EUR per tart
Bacalhau à brás
Salt cod with onions, potatoes, and scrambled eggs. The most iconic of 365 bacalhau preparations. Solar dos Bicos (Alfama) for traditional.
Price: 12-18 EUR per portion
Sardinhas assadas
Grilled sardines, especially during Santo António festival (June 12-13). Cervejaria Ramiro and any Alfama tasca during summer.
Price: 8-15 EUR per portion
Bifana
Pork sandwich in a soft bread roll. As Bifanas do Afonso (Alfama) for the Lisbon-style version; O Trevo (Lisbon, Calçada do Combro) for the standing-counter experience.
Price: 3-5 EUR per bifana
Caldo verde
Green soup with kale, potato, and chouriço. The Portuguese comfort soup. Most traditional restaurants serve it as starter.
Price: 4-6 EUR per bowl
Polvo à lagareiro
Octopus with olive oil and roasted potatoes. Cervejaria Ramiro (Largo do Intendente) is the iconic seafood spot.
Price: 20-35 EUR per portion
Arroz de marisco
Seafood rice (wetter than paella, with broth). Cervejaria Ramiro is also a contender; Restaurante Solar dos Bicos in Alfama.
Price: 18-35 EUR per portion (for 2)
Francesinha (Porto specialty)
Massive sandwich with meat, cheese, and beer-tomato sauce. Originated in Porto but worth visiting Café Santiago via day-trip; in Lisbon, Cafe Santiago do Chiado replicates it.
Price: 10-14 EUR per portion
Tripas à moda do Porto
Tripe stew. Acquired taste but Porto’s namesake dish (Porto residents are called ‘tripeiros’). Restaurante Cervejaria Trindade for the Lisbon version.
Price: 12-18 EUR per portion
Ginjinha
Cherry liqueur, served in tiny shot glasses or chocolate cups. A Ginjinha (Rossio) and Ginjinha Sem Rival (Largo de São Domingos) are the standing-bar institutions.
Price: 1.50-2.50 EUR per shot
Time Out Market food crawl
32 stalls from Lisbon’s top chefs in a converted 19th-century market. Cervejaria Trindade, Bairro do Avillez, Henrique Sá Pessoa. Touristy but the food is real.
Price: 8-25 EUR per stall plate
Pasteis de bacalhau
Cod fritters. Served with cheese inside at the trendy Pasteis de Bacalhau cafe (Rua Augusta) — touristy. Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau (Praça da Figueira) for cheaper local style.
Price: 3-6 EUR per pastel