Gourmet Flyer Lisbon is a fascinating city with numerous places that offer yummy good eats at great prices. You can certainly find plenty of restaurants specializing in anything from traditional comfort foods to every delicious innovation and fusion that you can imagine. Among the multitude of eateries that seemingly line the streets of almost everywhere you go, there are five that stand out as must-visits which I highly recommend. These five particular destinations are recommended not simply because of the outstanding food itself, but more so because of the culture and story behind the scenes that make them truly some of the most iconic places to eat in Lisbon.
Table of Contents
- Pastéis de Belém
- Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau
- A Brasileira do Chiado
- Fado Restaurants
- Time Out Market
Pastéis de Belém
Most first-time visitors may take a while to recognize and learn all the famous foods of Portugal, but almost everyone will very quickly notice a delicious egg custard tart with a buttery, flaky crust and a caramelized and burnt filling almost everywhere they go. These are the iconic pastel de nata.
Some people compare the filling to that of a crème brûlée but that is actually not accurate, because it does not have the hard sugary crust on top. The top of the tart is simply quickly torched and slightly burnt.
To know its origin, you’ll need to visit the historic Jerónimos Monastery in Belém which features stunning Gothic architecture of the 1500’s. During the time it was active as a monastery until the dissolution of religious order in 1833, huge amounts of eggs were purchased to extract the egg whites which were used to starch the garments of the monks. Obviously, plenty of egg yolks went to waste daily. However, over time, efforts were made to conserve some of the egg yolks and also to generate an alternative source of income. Hence, the monks developed a recipe to use the egg yolks to make a delicious pastry which is now commonly known as the pastel de nata.
The secret recipe was passed on to a sugar refinery in the neighborhood, which was eventually converted into a bistro. It has since expanded and become many times bigger in size and is presently only steps away from the monastery. This establishment is the iconic Pastéis de Belém (directions) which produces these famous egg tarts known by the same name. In fact, the only tarts that are called pastéis de belém are those produced right here at this café. Those that are sold anywhere else are called pastels de nata.
This restaurant commands lines longer than Disneyland’s most popular rides during peak tourist season. But don’t get discouraged by the line, which usually move rather quickly. The dining halls inside are large and can accommodate a lot of people. The turnover of the tables is also quite fast. There are markers along the queue to let you know the approximate wait time from that point.
While you are in Belém, be sure to visit the Belém Tower and the Monument to the Discoveries, both of which are architectural masterpieces with significant historical values. Science and engineering enthusiasts should definitely make the trip to the Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology (MAAT) where you will be amazed by the advancement of electrical power as well as renewable energy.
Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau
The English translation of the name is: “The Portuguese house of codfish pastry”. The pastel de bacalhau is a fried dumpling that looks somewhat like a croquette with a bread crumb coating that is perfectly golden brown. The filling is a mixture of shredded codfish meat, minced onion, mashed potatoes, and cheese. This savory snack is absolutely delicious, and it pairs very well with a glass of wine.
Most visitors will quickly learn that fish and seafood are some of the most popular dishes in Lisbon, so it is quite natural that they have a codfish pastry, which is the signature creation of Casa Portuguesa do Pastel de Bacalhau (locations). But this is more than just a snack or a pastelaria, it is a marriage of two important Portuguese traditions.
The codfish from the cold waters of the North Atlantic is the most traditional fish enjoyed by almost every household in the country. In fact, this is the national fish of Portugal.
Portugal is also sheep country, particularly the Serra da Estrela breed, and being a shepherd is a traditional and time-honored vocation. This particular breed of sheep is really the pride and treasure of the country, and the very special cheese made from the milk of these sheep is a key ingredient of the codfish pastry.
A Brasileira do Chiado
Almost every walking tour that goes through the vibrant Chiado area will stop at a bronze statue of Portugal’s legendary poet Fernando Pessoa, best known for his Modernist literature, poetry, and philosophical writings. Pessoa was a regular customer at the restaurant right where the statue is – the famous A Brasileira do Chiado (directions) – which has been a local landmark and Lisbon’s busiest and most iconic café for over a century. This was where Pessoa found many of his inspirations and was also the community space where literary and artistic talents gathered to exchange or debate ideas and philosophies.
The interior of the café is somewhat like a narrow hallway with a takeout counter with large glass pastry display cases on the right, and an array of wooden table – often packed too closely together – on the left. The décor is traditional and medieval, and the design integrates a lot of red wood and brass fixtures to give it a majestic appearance. Dining here is more than just enjoying a meal; it is almost like reliving history. The dish to order here is Pessoa’s favorite steak A Brasileira style served with coffee sauce and topped with a fried egg.
Fado Restaurants
Of all the different places to eat in Lisbon, one particular type is a must-visit – not only because it is unique to Portugal, but also because of its rich history, influence, and culture. They are the Fado restaurants. Fado is a traditional Portuguese style of music believed to originate back in the 19th century and was first sung by the poor mournful of their fateful lives or by lonely wives waiting for their sailor husbands to return home. Through the years, this has evolved into a powerful and influential type of music that has been celebrated on some of the country’s finest stages.
Most Fado restaurants offer a full-course dinner complete with performances by top singers. The more casual bars and cafés welcome walk-in customers with shows that last all night. Formal Fado houses typically have fixed seating and show times and advanced reservation or ticketing is required.
Time Out Market
While you are in the heart of Lisbon, be sure to check out the Time Out Market (directions), a one-of-its-kind trendy food court type of building which houses a diverse spectrum of innovative and high-end gastropub delights all under the same roof. But this is not your typical shopping mall kind of food hall. Every eatery here boasts culinary fame and fine specialty cuisines, some of which are operated by Michelin Star chefs such as Alexandre Silva and Henrique Sá Pessoa. In fact, there is a vetting and selection process that each eatery has to go through before getting their permanent spot in the market.
The story began in 2014 when Time Out Portugal transformed the historic Mercado da Ribeira – the traditional food market that has been serving the community for over 130 years – into a contemporary and fashionable gastronomical and cultural hub. During the process, the Time Out team searched for the most innovative culinary concepts in Portugal. Each of these projects had a chance to participate in the market anywhere from one week to three years, and only the best ones were selected to stay permanently in the market.
Some of the locals’ favorites there include Marisqueira Azul for the freshest seafood, Libertà Pasta Bar for authentic homey Italian fares, Café de São Bento for one of the best steaks in Lisbon, and Pinóquio for fine innovative Portuguese cuisines. And don’t forget to grab the most delightful dessert from Gelato Davvero who seriously import most of their ingredients from Italy.
