Lisbon Food
Lisbon's port not only brings a wealth of seafood into the city to be enjoyed, but over the centuries it has brought a series of culinary influences from around the world that make eating out in the city far more diverse than expected.
However, to start off the first meal in the Portuguese capital should stick to more traditional fare. Many visitors expect Portuguese cuisine to be similar to that in Spain, but the 2,000 or so restaurants of Lisbon will show they are quite different.
Lisbon is famed for its seafood, and with the nation's largest fish market just outside the city the freshness and quality is almost always assured.
Bacalhau, or salted cod, features highly on many of Lisbon's menus – although the varieties on offer vary greatly – especially as it is claimed that there are 365 different recipes for bacalhau – one for every single day of the year.
Sardinhas assadas – charcoal-grilled sardines – are also well worth picking from the menu and after a meal, traditional sweets made from almonds or figs are recommended.
Pastéis de Belém are a very common dessert – available in most cafes. The delicious cream custard tarts were originally made by nuns of Lisbon's Jerónimos Monastery, but their popularity has spread throughout the country. The best drink to wash down a pastel with is a strong coffee.
Lovers of hot food should also be aware that one import from around the world to Portugal's cuisine has been the spices of Goa – so some food can well have a surprising kick.
On Rua dos Correeiros, in the centre of Lisbon, visitors can find a series of good restaurants, from Irmãos Unidos do Minho – offering northern Portuguese specialities – to the sister restaurants Lagosta Vermelha and Marisqueira Popular, which specialise in offering good quality food, at good prices with good and friendly service.
During the day, the cafes that line the pedestrianised Rua das Portas de Sao Antao, behind the Teatro Nacional, are the best place to grab a bite to eat. Often with tables outside, the cafes offer a good selection of bar snacks and drinks.
Rua das Portas de Sao Antao also boosts a good number of fish restaurants, often popular with visitors to the city.
The most common Portuguese drinks that spring to mind are, of course, Port and Madeira. However, the country also produces a good selection of wines, to enjoy alongside a meal or in the warm summer evenings.
Wines to look out for include Vinho do Alentejo – with fruity whites and reds and one of Portugal's favourites – and the slightly stronger Vinho Alvarinho, which is only produced in a small area of northern Portugal.
The two big Portuguese beers are Super Bock and Sagres and almost every bar or restaurant in Lisbon will sell one of them.
For those heading to Lisbon on a budget, the best place to get some food is the Ribeira Market, which is Lisbon's largest open air market and offers a wide selection of fish, cheese, fruit and vegetables everyday of the week except Sundays.
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Eating & Drinking
