5 Authentic and delicious Portuguese restaurants in Lisbon

Portugal is very unknown for its cuisine, unfortunately, being overshadowed by Spain. However, Portugal has access to great produce and amazing seafood which you notice when eating in authentic restaurants. Here are my top 5 recommendations for restaurants serving traditional Portuguese food in Lisbon.

Taberna da Rua das Flores

Located in the lively neighborhood of Bairro Alto, this small restaurant has a very authentic and modest feel to it by the looks when looking from the street. However, the food stands out undoubtedly with their grilled octopus legs or meat stews. Taberna da Rua das Flores has a kind of “tapas” concept by offering a lot of small dishes: this is great if you want to try several Portuguese specialties.

Instagram, Taberna da Rua das Flores

Rua das Flores 103, 1200-194 Lisboa, Portugal

Zé da Mouraria

As I have written in another article, Zé da Mouraria is a great place if you want a real Portuguese restaurant without the tourists. The restaurant is known for its huge platters of grilled bacalhau or meat. The Portuguese national dish Bacalhau can be eaten in many ways, but the way that Zé da Mouraria does it, could be the very best. Even better, Zé da Mouraria has opened several locations in the city. Below, I linked one of the locations.

Instagram, Zé da Mouraria

R. João do Outeiro 24, 1100-292 Lisboa, Portugal

O Trigueirinho

Located on the way to the Castelo from Martim Moniz, this restaurant is hidden from the busy streets and is easily missed when walking by. O Trigueirinho is as authentic as it can be considering that the people who run the place are from the same family. Even more peculiar, it’s grandma and her sister who are working in the kitchen and the kids serve the food. The staff is unsurprisingly very kind and warm. The food can be considered typical Portuguese “comfort food made by grandma when visiting for the weekend”. Prices are also very modest compared to other restaurants in the city!

Instagram, O Trigueirinho

Largo dos Trigueiros 17, 1100-611 Lisboa, Portugal

Raízes

This restaurant is situated between Cais do Sodré and Alcântara. It is different from the previous restaurant in the list as it is more towards the “fine dining” without being excessive. The name means “roots” which is exactly what the restaurant is going for: going back to the Portuguese roots. The menu is varied from seafood like bacalhau, octopus, and clams to meats like beef, duck, and rabbit. The last time I checked the dish with beef from the Azores with asparagus and potatoes could be had for 17€. This is a very good price considering the location and the quality of the produce. Recommend strongly!

R. do Olival 36, 1200-742 Lisboa, Portugal

Fumeiro de Santa Catarina

Situated close to the Miradouro de Santa Catarina, this restaurant is known to serve Portuguese dishes with their own touch: smoked food. The restaurant has been around for 10 years and has had huge success. They serve, as expected, delicious smoked meat but also offer octopus. They also have vegetarian alternatives should you bring along a friend who doesn’t eat meat. Very nice decorations as well inside!