Food has a unique power to evoke memories. The smells and tastes connect to some of our most deeply held emotions, including comfort, nostalgia, excitement, and love. Food is also one of the most easily accessible ways to get to know a place when traveling. Equity Estates invites you to immerse yourself in the unique flavors of your vacation, one destination at a time.
- Destination: Lisbon, Portugal
- Number of restaurants: 2,000+ (with about 40 Michelin-starred)
- Famous for: seafood, custard tarts, caldo verde soup, pork sandwiches
Lovingly nicknamed the City of Seven Hills due to its rolling, picturesque landscape, Lisbon is a beauty to behold. It’s also a city filled with thousands of eateries — from food stalls and small, family-run tascas to cozy cafes, neighborhood restaurants and renowned, Michelin-starred establishments — boasting delicious flavors, traditional dishes, and globally influenced cuisine.
Set on the western coast of Portugal, where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic Ocean, with fertile farmland, olive groves, and vineyards not too far away, Lisbon is the country’s culinary epicenter. Good cheese, good bread, fresh seafood, local meats and produce, and delicious wines are some of the treats you’ll find there.
Lisbon was also voted Europe’s Best Culinary Destination in 2024 at the World Culinary Awards, recognized for its “gastronomic offerings that blend cultural tradition with modernity and creativity.”
If you’re a foodie with an adventurous spirit, Lisbon’s vibrant food scene and friendly charm are sure to leave you enchanted.
Three local favorites
Food and drink feel like a celebration in Lisbon. Ingredients such as bacalhau (dried, salted codfish), octopus, and sardines provide a taste of the sea in traditional dishes such as bacalhau à brás (a savory mix of shredded cod, onions, potatoes, and eggs), polvo a lagareiro (octopus in olive oil), and simple, hot-off-the-grill salted sardinhas.
Local cheeses, caldo verde soup, Portuguese pork sandwiches, and the world-famous pastel de nata custard tarts are a few other not-to-be-missed examples of the city’s incredible cuisine.
Accompany your meals with excellent local wines from the Lisboa, Alentejo, or Douro regions. And make sure you try ginjinha, Portugal’s iconic sour cherry liqueur, at least once while you’re there.
When vacationing in lovely Lisbon, these are a few local specialties worth seeking out, as well as some of the best places to enjoy them:
Pastel de nata is undeniably Portugal’s most well-known food. Inspired by a recipe created by Catholic monks in Lisbon prior to the 18 century, it’s a simple, yet rich and delicious egg custard tart that continues to be a favorite with both locals and visitors today. The best of the best in Lisbon can be found at Pastéis de Belém. Since 1837, their version has used both a traditional recipe and traditional preparation, turning out thousands of handmade tarts daily that showcase the treat’s sweet and unique flavor.
For a taste of the sea and an authentic dive into Lisbon cuisine, you’ll want to sample bacalhau à brás. Cod is a national favorite in Portugal, and you’ll find it served any number of ways in homes and restaurants throughout the country. But the most popular is arguably bacalhau à brás — a creamy dish of shredded cod, fried potatoes, onions, and eggs.
In Lisbon, you’ll find a version of it on the menu at just about every restaurant. Our pick for one of the best places to enjoy it, though, is Casa do Bacalhau. Literally translated as “House of Cod,” this chic and rustic eatery (housed in a former 18th century palace) serves the fish 30 different ways. Their brás entrée comes perfectly seasoned and prepared, beautifully plated, and goes well with the restaurants other offerings — fresh breads, soups, and sides of vegetables.
Bifanas are Portuguese pork sandwiches that are typically served as an affordable, hearty snack or a quick meal. Found at food trucks, market stalls, and neighborhood eateries, these sandwiches pack a punch in terms of flavor and value. Imagine rich, juicy marinated pork loin slow cooked in a garlic white wine sauce and served thinly sliced in a warm Portuguese crusty roll (called a papo seco) with mustard and spicy piri-piri chili oil.
O Trevo, a classic, cash-only Portuguese snack bar once featured on Anthony Bourdain’s show, is still serving some of the best bifanas in the city. Located in Chiada, their pork sandwiches are served counter-style, standing up, though a few tables outside may offer an opportunity to sit down and take your time with it. Bifanas at O Trevo can be ordered traditional style, with cheese, and/or with onion. And all of them are savory and delicious, particularly when accompanied by a cold beer or glass of local wine.
Fine Dining in lisbon
It’s not difficult to find an excellent fine-dining spot in Lisbon. Elegant restaurants serving traditional cuisine, modern eateries offering chef-driven, creative menus, and high-end establishments showcasing global-inspired dishes abound in the city.
One of the top choices for an unforgettable, Michelin-starred dining experience is Belcanto, a stunning spot in the historic center of Lisbon that’s been named one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World. Here, Chef José Avillez takes diners on a “gastronomic journey through contemporary Portuguese cuisine” with a special seasonal tasting menu or an a la carte service that comes with snacks and starters, main course, dessert, and final petit-fours.
Though the menu changes depending on season and availability, expect sophisticated dishes like sea bass prepared with seaweed and bivalves, suckling pig with orange peel puree, and shrimp with green curry and apple, along with excellent service and a perfectly paired wine list.
For another unforgettable fine-dining experience, consider the elegant, Michelin-starred Feitoria restaurant from Chef André Cruz. Located in the Altis Belém Hotel, this cozy, white-tablecloth spot is contemporary and creative, with a focus on fresh seafood and vegetables and authentic Portuguese flavors prepared with a modern twist.
The signature menu features several six-to-eight course options to choose from, each showcasing seasonal, local, and organic ingredients. Standout dishes include the sea bass with mushrooms and truffles and the cozido do mar (sea stew), though everything that’s served is thoughtfully and exquisitely prepared. Wine pairings and vegetarian courses are also available.
In addition to the incredible food, the service is personable and friendly, the space is warm and inviting, and the dishes are beautifully presented, creating a full, unforgettable experience from start to finish.
ALMA is another Michelin-starred restaurant located in the Chiada neighborhood that should be on everyone’s must-visit list. Sophisticated but inviting, with a warm-wood minimalist dining space and attentive service, the vibe at Alma is upscale-relaxed, making it a great spot for lunch or dinner.
Chef Henrique Sá Pessoa offers three menus: the Costa a Costa tribute to coastal cuisine, the ALMA tasting menu inspired by classic Portuguese dishes, and a personalized a la carte option, each presenting an haute cuisine, high-sensory experience with traditional flavors married with global influences.
As with other restaurants that showcase local, seasonal ingredients, the menus here change frequently, but the decadent blue lobster with roasted leeks, the “cobblestreet” salted cod entrée, and the lemon caramel rice custard dessert are excellent examples of the delicious dishes that diners can expect.
unforgettable dining experiences
Every stay in an Equity Estates home comes with a fully stocked kitchen with your choice of food and beverages (including local specialties), as well as opportunities to try a wide variety of restaurants outside your door or around the city. You also have access to unforgettable culinary experiences and special occasion celebrations.
In Lisbon, you may enjoy small cocktail parties with finger foods and wine in your Equity Estates home, take guided food tours through the city, or experience special dinners out at some of the city’s top establishments, complete with curated menus and service — all arranged by your expert Vacation Concierge.
Whether you want to try a different restaurant for every meal, take some meals in the comfort of your Equity Estates home, or explore unique chef experiences at high-end places during your stay, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Lisbon.
About the Equity Estates home:
Set in a beautifully restored 19th-century building in the fashionable Chiado neighborhood, our recently renovated two-bedroom Lisbon home combines the best of modern luxury with the cultural and architectural charms of Portugal’s capital city.
The home features a spacious living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and Juliet balconies overlooking the Tagus River. The open-plan common areas come with sliding pocket doors that can be closed for separation and privacy. And a cozy media room that doubles as a third bedroom provides an additional relaxing space for socializing.
With a uniquely local aesthetic and decorative elements from a renowned design team, guests will appreciate the home’s high-end touches, as well as its proximity to restaurants, shops and cultural attractions.
Your Vacation Concierge will work with you to plan your itinerary before you arrive and make sure your stay is effortless. Leave the details to us and arrive to a fully stocked kitchen and bar with groceries of your choice. With Equity Estates, comfort and luxury are yours.
Travel with Equity Estates for a unique and memorable experience. If you would like more information about investing with Equity Estates, please reach out to our Investor Relations team at 404.445.8501 or click to schedule a call.
