10 Things to Do in Lisbon For Foodies

Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, has rapidly emerged as a top destination for food lovers worldwide. With its rich culinary traditions, fresh seafood, and world-renowned wines, Lisbon is a foodie’s paradise waiting to be explored. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a gastronomic tour of this vibrant city, sharing our favorite places to eat, drink, and savor the unique flavors of Portuguese cuisine.

1. Explore Mercado da Ribeira: Time Out Market Lisbon

Your foodie adventure in Lisbon must start at the Mercado da Ribeira. Also known as the Time Out Market Lisbon, this bustling food hall is a testament to Lisbon’s rich culinary scene.

Diversity of Choices: The market houses over 40 food stalls, each offering a distinct taste of Portugal. From traditional dishes like ‘bacalhau a bras’ (codfish with scrambled eggs) to modern fusion cuisine, there’s something to satisfy every palate.
High-Quality Standards: Every stall is carefully selected to ensure top-notch quality, and the food on offer is prepared by some of the city’s top chefs.
Vibrant Atmosphere: The market is also a social hub, where locals and tourists mingle in a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

2. Visit a Pastel de Nata Bakery

A trip to Lisbon would not be complete without trying the famous pastel de nata, a creamy egg tart pastry that is a staple of Portuguese bakeries. Here are two top spots to indulge in this sweet treat:

Pastéis de Belém: This iconic bakery has been serving pastéis de nata since 1837, using a secret recipe passed down from the monks of the Jerónimos Monastery. The result? A perfectly flaky crust filled with delectable custard cream.
Manteigaria: Another Lisbon staple, Manteigaria offers freshly baked pastéis de nata throughout the day. The tarts here are a little smaller, with a slightly more caramelized filling, making for a delightful contrast in flavors.

3. Enjoy a Seafood Feast at Cervejaria Ramiro

Renowned for its seafood, Lisbon boasts numerous restaurants where you can enjoy the fruits of the sea. One such place is Cervejaria Ramiro, an institution in Lisbon’s food scene.

Freshness Guaranteed: The seafood at Ramiro is fresh, high-quality, and cooked to perfection. Must-try dishes include the garlic prawns, clams Bulhão Pato style, and the indulgent seafood rice.
Traditional Ambiance: The restaurant maintains a traditional Portuguese cervejaria ambiance, making it an authentic and memorable experience.

4. Sip on Some Portuguese Wine at a Wine Bar

Portugal’s wines are acclaimed worldwide, and Lisbon offers plenty of places to savor these delightful beverages. Head to a local wine bar like By The Wine or Garrafeira Nacional.

Wide Selection: These bars boast a vast selection of Portuguese wines, ranging from the effervescent Vinho Verde to the robust Douro reds and the sweet Port wine.
Knowledgeable Staff: The staff at these bars are well-versed in Portuguese wines and can guide you in choosing the perfect glass or bottle to suit your tastes.

5. Experience a Fado Dinner Show

Lastly, for a truly immersive Portuguese experience, book a Fado dinner show. Fado is a traditional Portuguese music genre characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics.

Culinary and Cultural Experience: Restaurants like Clube de Fado and A Baiúca offer excellent Fado shows alongside a delectable menu of Portuguese cuisine, allowing you to indulge your senses with beautiful music and delicious food in one sitting.

6. Attend a Cooking Class

Attending a cooking class is an excellent idea for those who want to take a piece of Lisbon’s culinary scene back home.

Hands-On Learning: Places like Cooking Lisbon offer hands-on classes where you can learn to prepare traditional Portuguese dishes from skilled local chefs.
Interactive and Fun: These classes are also a great way to meet fellow foodies and have a fun, interactive culinary experience.

7. Visit a Local Distillery

Portugal is known for its spirits, especially Ginjinha, a cherry liqueur, and visiting a local distillery can be an enlightening experience.

Tasting and Tours: Distilleries like Ginjinha Espinheira offer tours and tastings, allowing you to learn about the production process and sample the final product.
Unique Souvenir: You can also buy a bottle to take home as a unique souvenir of your Lisbon foodie adventure.

8. Discover Local Food Markets

Lisbon is home to numerous local food markets where you can discover fresh produce, local cheeses, cured meats, and more. Markets like the Feira da Ladra or the Mercado de Campo de Ourique are worth exploring.

Fresh and Local: These markets offer a wide array of fresh, local products, allowing you to discover the ingredients that make Portuguese cuisine so unique.
Cultural Experience: Visiting a local market also gives you a glimpse into the everyday life of Lisboetas (Lisbon locals), adding a cultural element to your foodie journey.

9. Dine in Alfama’s Tasquinhas

Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest district, is a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys teeming with small, family-run eateries known as tasquinhas.

Authentic Cuisine: These tasquinhas serve some of the most authentic Portuguese cuisine you’ll find in the city. Try the caldo verde (green soup), sardinhas assadas (grilled sardines), or the feijoada (bean stew with pork).
Atmospheric Setting: The setting in Alfama, with its ancient buildings and traditional Fado music wafting through the streets, adds an extra layer of charm to your dining experience.

10. Embark on a Food Tour

Finally, consider embarking on a food tour to sample a wide array of Lisbon’s culinary offerings.

Guided Exploration: Companies like Taste of Lisboa Food Tours provide guided tours that take you through Lisbon’s food markets, bakeries, tasquinhas, and more. You’ll have the chance to taste a variety of foods and learn about their cultural and historical significance.
Insider Knowledge: The guides are usually locals with a deep knowledge and love of Lisbon’s food scene, offering insights you might not get exploring on your own.

Lisbon is a food lover’s dream, with its rich culinary traditions, fresh local produce, and vibrant food markets. Whether you’re indulging in a pastel de nata at a local bakery, sipping on Portuguese wine at a chic bar, or learning to cook traditional dishes, you’re sure to leave Lisbon with a full stomach and an even fuller heart. So, ready your taste buds and get set for a culinary adventure of a lifetime in Lisbon, Portugal!