5 restaurants to try in Lisbon ⋆ chic everywhere

The way our vacations tend to work is that we try to minimize going out for breakfast and lunch but we will go out for dinner. This isn't hard and fast rule but it worked out for us when we were in Lisbon. Our Lisbon apartment hotel provided daily breakfast which included breads and fruits, juice, cereal and yogurt. All we did was head down the street to the grocery and grabbed other things like cold cuts and other snacks. We tended to come back to the apartment to freshen up after a day sightseeing before heading out to dinner in our neighbourhood. These are 5 restaurants to try in Lisbon.

5 Restaurants to Try in Lisbon

We stayed in the Baixa neighbourhood in Lisbon, which can be very touristy. Especially Rua Agusta which is a pedestrian area with restaurants that spill into the street. It is also where they have restaurant hosts trying to entice your into their location. But you can eat in or near the Baixa without sticking to only the most touristy places.

Moona Chicken

We actually ate here twice which tells you how much we loved it.

As the name suggests this is a tiny chicken joint, more specifically Korean Fried Chicken. We tried the fried chicken with a number of different sauces on the side and the fried chicken sandwiches. Both were delicious. We also had a cheese ball side which was fantastic. This was our first and last restaurant that we ate at while in Lisbon.

Find it Rua da Conceição 51, Lisboa, 1100-15

Sto Restaurante

Sto was actually right next to our apartment. But it was also fantastic. And not just because of the food. Our waiter provided us a bit of a lesson about the food they serve and where it comes from in Portugal. This was our one lunch that we ate at a restaurant. It was a great introduction to Portugese food beyond Pasteis de Nata.

sto restaurant lisbon, where to eat in lisbon, 5 restaurants to try in Lisbon

We had some starters that we shared. Pastel de Bacalhau and another that if I remember correctly was the snack trio. Our main lunch was the Azorean sandwiches. I had the pork loin, cheese and pineapple. It was basically an upscale grilled cheese. Very yum.

Find it R. dos Fanqueiros 85, 1100-227 Lisbon, Portugal

Orquidea Cafe

Orquidea Cafe is not called a tapas bar but it serves small shareable plates so in my mind it is a tapas place. But with a Portugese bent. While myself, my husband and daughter loved this restaurant it wasn't something my son loved. He would be happy to eat burgers every day though. But keep that in mind if you are traveling with less adventurous eaters.

Orquidea lisbon, where to eat lisbon baixa, 5 restaurants to try in lisbon

Orquidea lisbon, where to eat lisbon baixa

This is the type of restaurant where the menu regularly changes but we had a variety of choices. Above is a pear and goat cheese that was lovely. There were also a variety of sausages. Below is a cod dish and I think our favourite choice were the rabbit samosas.

Find it Rua da Madalena, 95 and 99 1100-319 Lisbon - Portugal

Tapas Mia Pizzeria

After a few days trying Portuguese food I promised my son that we would eat somewhere with something more he was used to, so we went Italian. And while yes this was closer to the main tourist thoroughfare it isn't right on Rua Agusta. It was actually quite lovely to eat outside. We were there in October so the temperatures weren't too hot.

Tapas Mia Pizzeria, where to eat in lisbon

While it might seem counter intuitive to have Italian food in Portugal it was really good. The owners are actually from Milan so this is authentic Italian food even if not in Italy. We had everything from spaghetti, chicken Parmesan, pizza and a creamy pasta dish I don't remember. Everyone was happy and well fed.

Tapas mia pizzaria lisbon, where to eat lisbon

Tapas mia pizzaria lisbon, where to eat lisbon, 5 resturants to try in Lisbon

Union Empanadas

Union Empanadas was one restaurant that I started following before we even set foot in Lisbon. It is one place that I really liked the vibe and atmosphere. I liked that it was situated kind of hidden away. We walked there it wasn't far but not exactly obvious either. There is limited seating, we had stools in the window to watch the world go by.

Food wise we tried a variety of empanadas and bifanas. I thought everything was tasty. My husband ordered a beer that he didn't like which tainted his experience. We also had their fresh squeezed juices. I would say it was a ten out of ten for location and atmosphere. Nine out of ten for food. Just be wary of the Mexican beer they serve as it may not be what you are expecting.

Find it R. de São Cristóvão 27, Mouraria, Lisboa

Union empanadas lisbon, where to eat in lisbon

Don't forget dessert

There were two other places we regularly stopped at. One was trying different Pasteis de Nata. My favourite was Manteigaria. We also stopped for gelato at least 3 times at Gelateria la Verde. It was very good. We also got my son one of the pineapples filled with a virgin pina colada. It was expensive but made his day.

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So these are my 5 restaurants to try in Lisbon. Do you have some suggestions to share in the comments? Please add the Lisbon restaurants you want to recommend.