Lisbon: A Journey through the Gastronomy of Portugal's Capital
A trip to Western Europe can be expensive, but there is still value to be had in this enchantingly beautiful part of the world. Portugal may offer the best bang for your buck in this region, with its diverse and delicious cuisine, fascinating historical sites, and breathtaking natural scenery. The Portuguese also enjoy beautiful weather, making it a great vacation destination at any time of year.
In this post, we’ll focus on one of the best parts of traveling to Lisbon—indulging in the city’s incredible local cuisine, which is among the best in all of Europe.
What are the main characteristics of Portuguese cuisine?
Portuguese cuisine is relatively unknown in the United States. There are some Portuguese restaurants in major U.S. cities, but most Americans who travel to Portugal are unfamiliar with the cuisine. But despite the lack of international fame, Portugal is home to some of the most delectable food in Europe.
Due to its coastal location, fish accounts for a large portion of the average Portuguese person’s diet. In fact, Portugal consumes the second-most fish of any country in Europe, second only to Iceland. Travelers in Lisbon have their pick of hundreds of restaurants serving local dishes made with fresh seafood.
Olive oil is also central to Portuguese cuisine and is used as the basis of virtually every meal. It is also often served alongside warm bread as an appetizer. Portugal produces some of the best olive oil in the world and is home to major producers, such as Oliveira da Serra and Gallo.
Indulging in some of Lisbon’s best food
Visitors shouldn’t limit themselves to traditional cuisine. Lisbon has a flourishing culinary scene with a litany of new restaurants from imaginative and talented young chefs. Lisbon’s dining options run the spectrum, from humble but delicious street food to casual dining and high-end Michelin Star restaurants.
Lisbon’s street food scene
Street food is a tasty, economical, and convenient option for travelers. You can grab a variety of quick meals from the street vendors scattered throughout Lisbon, many of whom set up shop near major tourist sites.
Sandwiches reign supreme in Lisbon’s street food scene. One of the favorites among locals is a sandwich called Bifan, which consists of pork seasoned with garlic and the chef’s choice of spices served on a bread roll. Another popular option is Francesinha, a sandwich made with an assortment of meats and cheeses served on a roll with a beer-based sauce and a fried egg.
Cured meats and cheeses are a staple of Portuguese cuisine and are served both at sit-down restaurants and street food carts. A traditional Northern Portuguese sausage called Alheira found its way to Lisbon many years ago and makes for an incredibly flavorful and filling meal. Pão com chouriço, or chorizo bread in English, consists of Portuguese Chouriço pork sausage, spiced with garlic and paprika and served on small pieces of bread.
Lisbon’s best restaurants
Lisbon has excellent restaurants for travelers of all budgets.
If you’re looking for casual dining, O Frade is a great option that offers traditional Portuguese cuisine elevated with innovative modern culinary techniques. Chef Carlos Afonso prepares traditional dishes with contemporary twists, such as cold rabbit meat with coriander sauce, Portuguese empanadas, and duck rice with orange zest.
Those in the mood for fine dining should look no further than the Michelin-starred Feitoria, located in Lisbon’s hip Belém neighborhood. Chef João Rodrigues’ menu consists of traditional dishes made with fine-dining techniques. Fresh, local, organic produce is also a primary focus of the menu, along with fresh seafood from the coast of Portugal.
If you want to break away from the traditional, Attla Restaurante offers a menu of dishes with diverse inspiration from Southeast Asia, Central America, Portugal, and other countries in Europe. Chef André Fernandes worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants before setting off as a traveling chef. He returned to Portugal and opened Attla with a menu of dishes inspired by both his heritage and his exposure to other cuisines while abroad.
Visit a local market
Lisbon is full of traditional local markets with vendors selling not only food, but a variety of other goods, such as clothing, crafts, records, and various other miscellanea. Visiting one of these markets is a great way to sample some of the local cuisine and enjoy an enriching cultural experience.
In the city’s Alfama district, the historic Feira da Ladra market has been running twice a week at its current location since the late 19th century and has been in operation in various locations since the 13th century. Here, you can find works of art, antiques, jewelry, and a host of other souvenirs.
If you’re looking for something a bit less touristy, the Feira de Relogio Sunday street market is still relatively unknown to foreigners, but it is full of treasures. It is the largest street market in Lisbon and generally has better prices than the more popular Feira da Ladra.