The Lisbon Edit 🇵🇹

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Lisbon’s hospitality scene is MASSIVE, and it can be realllly stressful to curate an itinerary here for this reason. My advice? Prioritize purely traditional Portuguese eateries if you’re there for just 2-3 days – and branch out to the trendy and/or non-Portuguese places only if you have more time. This way, you’ll catch the standout experiences you can solely find in Lisboa, such as seafood establishments that have been around for generations.

Lisbon is such an incredible city, with (in my opinion) some of the best weather in all of Europe – AKA, not too hot & also not too cold, year-round – so it’s an amazing place to visit no matter the month.

Here are the hotspots I point friends to when they ask.

x Nicoletta in Europe 🍋

P.S. This isn’t a pastel de nata guide – for those, please just go to the OG here.

🍋 website / 📍 google maps

An absolute must-visit seafood establishment that’s been around since the 1950s, that absolutely lives up to the hype. This is your spot for incredibly fresh shellfish, cold beers, and a buzzy vibe – with actual locals in attendance, not just tourists. They also serve killer traditional prego (steak tenderloin) sandwiches that you should really leave room for. Reservations are a must.

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🍋 instagram / 📍 google maps

A traditional Portuguese eatery with incredible décor and super cozy vibe (maybe 12 tables max?). They’ve got a changing blackboard menu which a waiter will bring over and read out loud to you, but their scallops with miso butter are a house fave. Exquisite desserts and excellent wine menu. Cash only and walk-ins only, but you can put your name on a list and then have a little stroll (or sip some wine) while you wait.

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🍋 instagram / 📍 google maps

This place is about the view, not the food, in all honesty – but for its waterfront proximity alone it’s worth a visit. Perfect for a long afternoon lunch in the sun, or better yet, a sunset dining experience which in my opinion is the real power move. Mostly seafood on the menu, as you might expect. Advanced reservations obligatory, especially for a sunset dinner. The bonus here is that you’ll take a (quick 10-20 minute) ferry ride to cross the Tagus river, which in itself is a lovely experience.

🍋 instagram / 📍 google maps

Super trendy eatery with great music that’s been a hotspot for locals since 2020. Inventive, modern, seasonal plates such as crispy tuna tacos with wasabi, cacio e pepe beans, truffle gnocchi, lime rice, and duck prosciutto. Great wine list and delicious cocktails. Definitely try the spicy tequila house shot!

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Owned by the same people who created Tricky’s, I actually prefer the vibe and food in Bar Alimentar. SUPER trendy, candlelit São Bento spot with creative Italian dishes like fig and cheese ravioli, impressive cocktails, and a solid wine list. Incredible atmosphere. Reservations recommended, and save room for cannolis!

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If you’re in Lisbon for more than a few days and have hit up all the recommended traditional Portuguese places, you can start moving onto the trendy establishments that venture outside of local cuisine. Lupita is your spot for pizza, with an exquisitely designed interior, great natural wines, craft beers, and cocktails too. If seating is packed, you can take a pie to go & sit in the nearby park. You can’t book in advance, so be prepared to queue for a bit. And definitely order some dipping sauces!

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Welcome to the Lisbon listening bar of your dreams – serving up groovy vibes, great tunes from live DJs, and an extensive list of excellent natural wines. If you’re into the holy trinity of orange wine, vinyl, and moody lighting, I can’t recommend this spot enough. There’s also a regularly changing menu of tasty tapas and notable guest chefs in rotation, for those who like a few nibbles with their wine. Plus, delicious cocktails for any friends who aren’t “wine drinkers.” Super hip crowd of local Lisboetas plus tourists in the know. Fantastic, cozy date spot. Bookings recommended.

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This place does serve great food, but for me Magnolia is more about the gorgeous vibes & extensive wine menu. The interior is charming, with impressive walls of wine, and the patio is full of greenery for when the weather is nice (which, in Lisbon, is often!) It’s situated on a charming plaza which is great for buzzy people watching, and you can also belly up for coffee in the morning or tapas at night – so this is a rare spot that can slot into your itinerary any time of the day or night. Every corner of this place is photogenic & as it’s park-adjacent you can go for a lovely stroll after.

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This truly tiny hole-in-the-wall spot is my favorite of all the wine bars in Lisbon. Lots of local varieties so you can sample the terroir of Portugal, with friendly staff at hand ready to make a recommendation. Tasty snacks, the coolest décor, what more could you need?

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You won’t find this place recommended by all the ‘trendy’ travel influencers out there, but it’s one of my favorite spots every time I go to Lisbon. It’s quite literally an outdoor kiosk with basic patio furniture and servers you’ll have to flag down for drinks, but the view of the sunset going down over the iconic bridge & the shining river is truly exquisite. Plus, you can nab sizable 2€ sangrias for an outing that won’t break the bank, allowing you to save money for everything else on this list! Even if I visit in Autumn, Lisbon weather is good enough for terrace drinking – so head here for an aperitif before dinner, or time your visit with the sunset!

🍋 instagram / 📍 multiple locations (1, 2, 3)

Incredible little shop full of purely Portuguese goods, from tinned fish to artisanal ceramics to Alentejo wool sweaters. The perfect spot to pick up souvenirs, with a few different addresses in Lisboa to choose from!

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🍋 instagram / 📍 google maps

One of THE ultimate places to grab a Portuguese souvenir (or gifts for friends), this shop has tinned fish of every variety from tuna with sea fennel to sardines in olive oil to curry mackerel to stuffed squid. Every piece is an artwork in itself, with gorgeous packaging you’ll want to frame after eating. While there are many shops selling tinned fish in Lisbon – this one’s the best, and has been open since 1930.

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This café is worth visiting for the décor alone – from the gorgeous Mediterranean interior to the lush garden out back to the stunning ceramics on view. A great spot for coffee, baked goods, or brunch. They also have a dedicated work space if you need to do a bit of coworking while in Lisbon.

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This is the oldest candle store in the world, established 1789. Select your favorite handcrafted candles for the ultimate souvenir, from their rainbow of colors to natural beeswax classics. Surprisingly affordable prices. Cash only, so stop at an ATM before.

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If you enjoyed this, there’s so much more coming… Make sure you subscribe to get all of my future city guides, etc.

x Nicoletta 🍋