Best Restaurants in Portugal 2026

Pastel de Nata

Custard tart with caramelized top in flaky puff pastry, invented by Jerónimos Monastery monks in the 1820s. The original recipe is still made at Pastéis de Belém and debated passionately across the country.

Where to try: Pastéis de Belém (Lisbon), any pastelaria nationwide

Price: $1-2

Bacalhau à Brás

Shredded salt cod scrambled with thin fried potato matchsticks and eggs, bound with olive oil, garnished with black olives and parsley. One of the most beloved bacalhau preparations and a perfect introduction to this essential ingredient.

Where to try: Traditional tascas and restaurants throughout Portugal

Price: $12-18

Grilled Sardines (Sardinhas Assadas)

Fresh Atlantic sardines char-grilled over charcoal and served on bread to catch the juices, with boiled potatoes and peppers. A summer ritual particularly during June's Santos Populares festivals in Lisbon and Porto.

Where to try: Seafood restaurants June-August, festival street grills

Price: $8-14

Francesinha (Porto)

Porto's extraordinary sandwich: layers of cured meats, fresh sausage, and ham between thick white bread, covered with melted cheese and a spiced beer-and-tomato sauce, served with fries. Intensely rich and uniquely Portuguese.

Where to try: Café Santiago, A Regaleira, and tascas in Porto

Price: $12-16

Caldo Verde

Portugal's soul soup: thinly shredded kale (or collard greens) in a potato-thickened broth with a round of chouriço. From the Minho region, served nationwide as a starter or light meal, especially at festivals.

Where to try: Any traditional Portuguese restaurant

Price: $4-7

Cataplana de Marisco

Algarve's spectacular seafood stew cooked in a hinged copper vessel (cataplana), combining clams, prawns, mussels, and white fish with tomatoes, white wine, chouriço, and coriander. A regional masterpiece.

Where to try: Algarve seafood restaurants, particularly in Portimão and Lagos

Price: $25-45

Belcanto

Chef José Avillez's two-Michelin-star flagship restaurant offers innovative Portuguese cuisine in an elegant Chiado setting. Tasting menus showcase the best of Portuguese ingredients with modern techniques and artistic presentation.

Largo de São Carlos 10, 1200-410 Lisboa

Cervejaria Ramiro

Legendary Lisbon seafood institution serving massive prawns, lobster, clams, and crab since 1956. No-frills atmosphere, long lines, fresh seafood, and the famous post-meal prego (steak sandwich).

Av. Almirante Reis 1H, 1150-007 Lisboa

Bairro do Avillez

José Avillez's multi-concept space with different eating areas including tavern, seafood bar, and páteo. Fun, bustling atmosphere, quality food, accessible prices.

Rua Nova da Trindade 18, 1200-303 Lisboa

Manteigaria

Famous pastelaria serving fresh warm custard tarts all day. Watch them being made, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, enjoy with coffee. Multiple locations.

Rua do Loreto 2, 1200-108 Lisboa

A Brasileira

Iconic 1905 Art Deco cafe in Chiado where poet Fernando Pessoa spent hours. Beautiful interiors, outdoor seating with Pessoa statue, traditional Portuguese coffee culture.

Rua Garrett 120, 1200-273 Lisboa

The Yeatman Restaurant

Two-Michelin-star restaurant with panoramic Porto views. Chef Ricardo Costa creates exceptional dishes paired with Portugal's finest wines from the extensive cellar. Romantic terrace seating overlooks the Douro.

Rua do Choupelo, 4400-088 Vila Nova de Gaia

Time Out Market Lisboa

Curated food market featuring 40+ stalls from Lisbon's best chefs and restaurants. Under one roof find everything from seafood to pastéis de nata, casual dining with communal seating.

Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 Lisboa

Landeau Chocolate

Famous for serving possibly the best chocolate cake in Lisbon. Simple menu focused on their signature dense, fudgy chocolate cake. Multiple locations, always busy.

Rua das Flores 70, 1200-195 Lisboa

Bifana

Portugal's beloved street sandwich: thin slices of pork marinated in garlic and paprika sauce stuffed into a soft roll (papo-seco). Found at market stalls, tascas, and dedicated bifana shops throughout the country.

Find it at: Markets, tascas, O Trevo (Lisbon), Casa Guedes (Porto)

Ginjinha

Sour cherry liqueur served in a tiny glass or in a chocolate cup at street kiosks and historic bars in Lisbon. The small Ginjinha bars around Largo de São Domingos have served this since the 1840s.

Find it at: Ginjinha Espinheira (Largo de São Domingos), Sem Rival (Rua das Portas de Santo Antão), Porto kiosks

Prego no Pão

Beef steak sandwich on a soft roll with garlic butter, served at tascas, cervejarias, and market stalls. A simpler and meatier alternative to the bifana, particularly popular in Lisbon.

Find it at: Cervejaria Ramiro, market food stalls, local tascas

Rissol de Camarão

Deep-fried crescent-shaped pastry filled with creamy shrimp filling, served at pastelarias and market stands throughout Portugal. A common mid-morning snack with coffee.

Find it at: Pastelarias and padarias (bakeries) nationwide

Mercado de Bolhão (Porto)

Porto's iconic 1914 wrought-iron market recently beautifully restored, selling fresh produce, regional cheeses, presunto, flowers, and local delicacies in a magnificent two-level iron structure. The most authentic food market experience in Portugal.

Hours: Mon-Fri 8AM-8PM, Sat 8AM-6PM

Time Out Market Lisboa (Mercado da Ribeira)

The historic 1892 Ribeira market transformed into Lisbon's premier food hall with 40+ curated stalls from top chefs alongside the original fresh produce and flower market in the side wing.

Hours: Sun-Wed 10AM-midnight, Thu-Sat 10AM-2AM

Mercado de Campo de Ourique (Lisbon)

Neighborhood gourmet market in the upscale Campo de Ourique district with artisan food producers, specialty stalls, wine bar, and a genuine local crowd rarely found at tourist-heavy markets.

Hours: Tue-Sun 10AM-11PM

Feira de Levante (Porto, weekends)

Weekend artisan and organic food market near Parque da Cidade featuring local producers, organic vegetables, artisan bread, wine, craft beer, and prepared foods from small Portuguese producers.

Hours: Sat-Sun 10AM-7PM