[!tip] Author’s Note:

This piece is part of a curated series to help you experience Portugal like you actually know somebody here (me).

View the complete visitor’s guide for my personal advice and a few free lessons that will teach you enough Portuguese to order your food and navigate your way around more confidently.

Best Viewpoints

Lisbon’s on a bunch of hills, which means there’s a ton of great viewpoints. Anytime you see a sign with the word miradouro, that means it’s probably worth going out of your way to take a peek. Most of them have a little kiosk where you can buy an Aperol spritz, glass of wine, beer, or coffee.

Famous Miradouros

These are popular, partly just because they’re easy to find and you’ll be likely to walk past them without going out of your way. That said, they are beautiful and highly worth stopping at.

• Miradouro de Graça - Debatably the prettiest of them all. You can also go into the church there, and for a few euros they’ll give you a drink and let you on the roof which is a fun, less crowded experience.
• Miradouro das Portas do Sol - Very beautiful and popular for photos.
• Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara - Definitely worth a stop to take some nice photos.

Less Famous Ones (My Personal Favorites)

• Jardim do Torel - My true #1 favorite. I drag friends here frequently. This is a little park with palm trees where people bring wine, lay in the grass, hang out, and watch the sunset over the buildings. There’s a great gelato shop in a separate park nearby, too (with wild roosters!).
• Miradouro de Santa Catarina - Great for a sunset, offering a different perspective overlooking the river. More chill, very “euro vibes” with young people hanging out.
• Miradouro de Monte Agudo - Really off the beaten path but one of the more “local” miradouros. Lots of hipsters, and often has DJs doing live music.

Souvenirs Worth Buying

There’s a famous (now deceased) Portuguese ceramicist named Bordallo Pinheiro who was famous for making ceramics that look like silly-but-practical fruits and vegetables (plates, cups, bowls that look like cabbages, tomatoes, bananas, avocados, etc).

There’s a brand of his work now based out of his home city about 1 hour north of Lisbon, and they have a few places around Lisbon where you can buy his stuff. Another place that sells them is on the ground floor of this super old-fashioned department store downtown called Pollux.

Downtown, there’s a few shops called A Vida Portuguesa. They sell nice, high-quality Portuguese goods rather than cheap trinkets—including heavyweight wool throw blankets that we own and have recommended to a few friends.

LX Factory

On the west side of the city is a cool arts space called LX Factory which has a lot of unique shops, eateries, and public art. It’s a great spot to buy a unique souvenir and support a local artist.

Things to Eat

Marisqueiras

If you do one “classic Lisbon” food experience, make it a marisqueira. Think loud, busy, salty, buttery, shellfish heaven.

• Cervejaria Ramiro - The famous one. Anthony Bourdain did an episode of No Reservations here, and it’s genuinely amazing.
• A Marisqueira do Lis - The “local favorite” backup. It’s a little further up the same street as Ramiro and scratches the exact same itch. If you can’t get into Ramiro, don’t hesitate to check out Lis.
• Tico Tico - Another fantastic, less-touristy option.
• Marisqueira Uma - This place essentially serves one dish: massive, hot pots of tomato-y seafood rice loaded with shellfish. Super tasty.

If I could personally talk you into a few things to try at a marisqueira, it’d be the giant tiger prawns and percebes (gooseneck barnacles. Ugly but tasty and unique).

gooseneck barnacles aka “percebes”

Tascas

A tasca is the opposite vibe of “curated foodie restaurant.” They’re traditional, affordable, and very Portuguese.

The most authentic ones often have these bright, doctor’s-office fluorescent lights, paper tablecloths, and a VERY no-frills feel.

Here’s a couple I recommend:

• Casa Da Índia - Try the grilled sardines or a bitoque (garlic steak with egg and fries).
• O Tachadas - A highly local feeling tasca not far from Casa da India.

(A quick note: restaurants will often place snacks like bread, cheese, and olives on your table. This is called “couvert” and costs extra. You can always politely refuse and they’ll take it away and not charge you. Tipping in Portugal is 100% NOT expected.

For more on this, read my guide on cultural etiquette for visitors.)

A Few Favorite Restaurants in Lisbon

• Tapa Bucho - We bring friends here often. The food is incredible. You can book online. Highly recommend the ham croquettes and tuna tacos.
• O Velho Eurico - My favorite restaurant in all of Lisbon. It’s tiny and famous, so message them on Instagram well in advance for a table.
• Boa Bao - A modern, trendy Asian fusion restaurant.
• Sanskar Nepal - Our personal favorite curry house in the city.
• Palacio do Grilo - An old palace turned restaurant/performance art space (performances often feature nudity).
• Tacos La Malquerida - The best tacos we’ve found in Lisbon.
• Lupita Pizzeria - Top-tier Neapolitan pizza. The wait is long, but you can drink in the street while you wait. (Also great: Valdo Gatti and M’arrecreo).

Get a Bifana

You’ve gotta get a bifana at least once. It’s a super simple, fast Portuguese pork sandwich. Get it at O Trevo and put both mustard and hot sauce on it. You’ll thank me later.

Things to Drink

Cocktails

• Onda Cocktail Room - Highly inventive and delicious cocktails.
• Foxtrot - Discreet, old-fashioned cocktail bar with a back patio.
• Cafe Klandestino - Cool cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe behind a secret door.
• Pavilhão Chinês - A kitschy, bizarre bar filled with weird World War 2 antiques.

Wine Bars

• Flores de Pampa - Right across from the cute Praça das Flores park.

• Graça do Vinho, Bacaro, and Vino Vero are all incredible wine bars near each other in the Graça neighborhood.
• By the Wine - Fancy spot with wine bottles adorning an interesting ceiling.

Beer

• Cervejaria Canil & Duque Brewpub - Great for craft beer downtown.
• Musa da Bica - Local microbrewery. Try their waffled cheese-bread.
• Park Rooftop - Secret rooftop bar literally atop a parking garage.
• Miradouro de Baixo & Topo - Excellent rooftop bars with great views.

Brunch & Desserts

Brunch

Trendy brunch spots are everywhere in Lisbon and usually pretty solid. Expect a line of attractive people taking pictures of their food. Fauna and Flora, Dear Breakfast, and Neighborhood Cafe are stellar.

If you want a beautiful aesthetic, check out Cafe Janis.

Desserts

You’ll almost certainly hear about the famous Pastel de Nata. They’re incredible. The best place for them is 100% at the OG spot, Pasteis de Belem.

Pro tip: If you don’t feel like trekking out to Belem, there’s a local chain called Manteigaria with dozens of locations around Lisbon (including inside the Time Out Market) that makes really solid ones. IMO the second best you can get. Also check out Alfama Doce.