Let’s dive into Lisbon, one in every of my favourite meals cities in your entire world! Under I will share my checklist of the prime 13 must-try meals in Lisbon, which you’ll be able to simply test off whether or not you are on the town for a weekend break or a month-long journey.
My first go to to Lisbon was in 2007. I used to be a research overseas scholar in Granada, and spent a protracted weekend in Lisbon. This was a time earlier than I had found blogs and Tripadvisor—so I just about survived the weekend on custard tarts and grocery store ham and cheese.
A few years later, Lisbon is one in every of my favourite cities. It is one of many solely locations I may really see myself residing (aside from Madrid and Seville), and I hope to get an opportunity to reside in Lisbon within the close to future.
For now, I will need to make do with frequent journeys! Fortunately, Devour Excursions launched scrumptious new meals excursions in Lisbon just a few years in the past. This offers me loads of excuses to go to Lisbon—somebody has to do high quality management, in spite of everything!
Consuming Our Means By way of Lisbon
As a result of I have been touring to Lisbon so usually, my checklist of the place and what to eat has been rising and rising. I’ve additionally put collectively an in-depth Lisbon meals information. However if you wish to merely reduce to the chase, these are the issues it’s essential to search out.
With out additional ado, listed here are the highest 13 must-try meals in Lisbon!
1. Pastel de Nata
First on the checklist is an easy candy that has change into a little bit of a viral obsession. However in contrast to most meals tendencies, that is one with a protracted legacy.
The common-or-garden pastel de nata dates again to the 1800s, when it was invented at Lisbon’s Jerónimos Monastery as a approach to make use of up further egg yolks. The complete historical past of pastéis de nata (additionally known as pastéis de Belém) is fascinating!
On the lookout for the most effective pastéis de nata in Lisbon? Everybody has their favorites, however mine are undoubtedly from Manteigaria, the place you possibly can see them being made earlier than your eyes and luxuriate in them recent out of the oven!
Cannot get to Lisbon? Make this deal with at residence with our pastéis de nata recipe.
2. Bifana
One other of my must-try meals in Lisbon is the standard bifana. This native specialty places different sandwiches to disgrace. It is very simple, however that is why it actually shines.
A bifana consists of thinly sliced pork that is been slowly cooked in white wine, garlic, and spices. It comes out of the pot and goes straight right into a crusty bread roll. Some individuals select so as to add mustard or a splash of spicy piri piri sauce. Both approach, it is obligatory to scrub all of it down with a chilly beer!
So the place’s the most effective bifana in Lisbon? I like the basic spot As Bifanas do Afonso: no seats, no frills—simply nice bifanas!
See Additionally: Learn all about bifanas right here—and make them at residence with our bifana recipe!
3. Shellfish
Like Spain, Portugal is likely one of the finest locations on the earth for fish and shellfish. The range and freshness is unreal. Clams, mussels, shrimp, lobster… even barnacles. Lisbon has all of it!
Should you’re searching for the most effective shellfish in Lisbon, I’ve to suggest the well-known Cervejaria Ramiro. Though it is touristy and sometimes has a really lengthy wait time, the jumbo prawns are the most effective I’ve ever had. Others are obsessive about the brown crabs, and the razor clams are additionally wonderful.
Want extra ideas? Try these 8 spots for seafood in Lisbon.
4. Sardines
You may see cute cans of sardines all through Lisbon, with costs starting from a few euros to some critical money. That is as a result of the standard of canned items in Lisbon is unimaginable, and sardines are town’s signature tinned fish.
For the most effective canned sardines in Lisbon, you possibly can’t go incorrect at Conserveira de Lisboa.
Learn Extra: Try this information to conservas to study every little thing there’s to learn about canned fish in Lisbon.
5. Caldo Verde
Typically known as Portugal’s nationwide dish, caldo verde is a satisfying and wholesome soup that is undoubtedly one of many must-try meals in Lisbon.
Caldo verde options chouriço (pork sausage) and couve-portuguesa (much like kale), though many recipes use collard greens and even cabbage as an alternative. This can be a dish you will discover in nearly all Lisbon eating places, from tiny taverns with handwritten menus to positive eating in posh resorts.
See Additionally: Do that dish at residence with our caldo verde recipe!
6. Prego
One other of Lisbon’s well-known sandwiches is the prego: a garlicky steak sandwich that you’re going to discover in basic cafés. The prego is completely a must-try meals in Lisbon, and offers the scrumptious bifana a run for its cash!
7. Bacalhau
Bacalhau (salt cod) is an integral a part of Portugal’s historical past, and one of the crucial scrumptious meals to strive in Lisbon. There are numerous Portuguese salt cod recipes, and even whole cookbooks devoted to them. There’s even a saying that Portugal has a bacalhau recipe for every day of the yr!
A few of my favorites are salt cod croquettes, bacalhau com natas (with a cream-based sauce), and bacalhau à Brás (with eggs, black olives, and crispy potatoes).
The place can you discover the most effective salt cod in Lisbon? It is a bit exterior of town heart, however I completely liked every little thing I attempted at Casa do Bacalhau. It is a wonderful restaurant with scrumptious meals. I dream of going again!
Learn Extra: The Final Information to Salt Cod
8. Frango
Portuguese grilled hen (frango) is so scrumptious that it impressed a complete world quick meals chain! And in Lisbon, you possibly can simply discover scrumptious piri piri hen at an abundance of genuine spots.
9. Azeitão
This unimaginable and distinctive Portuguese cheese isn’t really made in Lisbon, however until you are heading out of city to Setúbal, you must undoubtedly get pleasure from some whereas right here.
In 2014, queijo de Azeitão was named one of many 50 finest gastronomic merchandise on the earth! You’ll find this scrumptious cheese at a few of Lisbon’s finest wine and cheese bars.
10. Cozido
There isn’t any higher method to heat up throughout Lisbon’s cooler winter months than with a heaping plate of cozido.
This Portuguese stew varies by area and chef, however typically consists of quite a lot of meats (hen, beef, sausages, pork, even pig ear) and boiled greens like potatoes, carrots, and cabbage.
11. Ginjinha
Ginjinha is a bitter cherry liqueur that is price tasting in Lisbon—even when liqueurs aren’t often your factor. Town has a handful of conventional, tiny ginjinha bars specializing in this scrumptious drink (see the hyperlink under for suggestions).
Learn Extra: All About Ginjinha and Why You Have to Attempt It in Lisbon
12. Alheira
Certainly one of my most up-to-date Lisbon meals discoveries is alheira: a scrumptious sausage that you just should strive. The elements differ—however in contrast to different typical Portuguese sausages, it does not often embrace pork. It is usually served with french fries and a fried egg. I find it irresistible!
Alheira comes from a Jewish custom of creating sausages that might mix in with the native pork varieties—and thus keep away from calling consideration to the truth that the Jewish individuals hadn’t really transformed to Catholicism throughout the Inquisition (since their faith prohibited consuming pork).
13. Feijoada
One other fascinating meals to strive in Lisbon is feijoada. This dish made its approach throughout the ocean to Brazil and again, and is now generally often known as a Brazilian specialty! This pork and bean stew is a good instance of how Lisbon’s historical past has affected its delicacies—and it is completely scrumptious.
See Extra: Tricks to Eat Like a Native in Lisbon
Uncover Lisbon’s Delicacies on a Meals Tour
Be part of my crew at Devour Lisbon on our Tastes & Traditions of Lisbon Meals Tour, Petiscos, Meals & Wine Tour, or Lisbon Meals & Fado Tour to style a collection of these scrumptious bites and extra! In between stops you will study all about Lisbon’s distinctive tradition and historical past, and meet the locals behind the meals!
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