Are you trying to determine the average meal cost in Lisbon, Portugal? Only after several years of running my Lisbon food tours did I realize how much the cost of food can vary here! I’ve broken down all your potential culinary expenses to give you an idea of food prices in Lisbon.
As is true for most European cities, dining out in Lisbon is substantially more expensive than buying groceries and doing your own cooking. That said, even visitors on a shoestring budget will likely want to indulge in a few meals out during their stay.
A typical Portuguese breakfast consists of bread or toast with a coffee. Even if you order a coffee with milk, it shouldn’t cost much more than €1 ($1.10), while toast or a bread roll with butter, jam, or cheese will come to around €2 ($2.20).
Over the years, I’ve rarely spent more than €3 ($3.30) for breakfast in a local cafe. If you’re looking for something a little bigger for breakfast, expect to pay about €10 ($11) in most international-style eateries.
Lunch in Lisbon is more about sit-down meals compared to the ever-popular on-the-go breakfasts. Many traditional restaurants serve a dish of the day, known as prato do dia, at lunchtime for around €8 ($8.90). In my experience, the dish of the day is usually a tasty Portuguese fish or meat-based dish.
Should you prefer to stick to the a la carte menu, you’ll find plenty of dishes for around €12 ($13.30). All in all, the average cost for a standard lunch in Lisbon is between €8 ($8.90) and €12 ($13.30).
During your Lisbon trip, the costs of evening meals will generally be higher than those at any other time of day. Dinner at some of the best restaurants in Lisbon can come in at around €15 ($17.60) or €20 ($22), including a glass of wine.
These prices reflect modest tascas and some mid-range Portuguese establishments. Upmarket restaurants near tourist hotspots in the city center can charge two or three times the price, particularly if you’re looking for international cuisine.
A surefire way to reduce the average meal cost in Lisbon, is by utilizing supermarkets and local markets now and again while you’re visiting.
While the cost of living crisis has affected major cities like Lisbon, groceries here are relatively affordable compared to other parts of Western Europe. The abundance of local produce also helps keep prices down, as Portugal boasts plenty of fruits, vegetables, seafood, and wine.
Anytime I’m in town, I frequent a couple of markets and grocery stores throughout my stay. On average, during my most recent trip, a liter of milk was less than €1 ($1.10), a loaf of fresh bread was €1.50 ($1.70), and 1kg of chicken fillets was approximately €7 ($7.70).
Fruits and vegetables are also reasonably priced. 1kg of oranges will set you back €1.70 ($1.90), while 1kg of tomatoes is around €2.30 ($2.50). If you’re anything like me and are a fan of Portuguese wine, you’ll be glad to know bottles of quality wines can go for as little as €5 ($5.50) each.
Determining the average price for specific foods in Lisbon can be difficult. This is due to the variance in prices between establishments as a result of their location, setting, or target customers. As such, expect prices for food near tourist attractions and viewpoints to be elevated.
To give you an indication of how much typical Portuguese foods cost, I’ve compiled a list of prices I paid for various snacks and dishes. These prices reflect my experience in the city, but they might look different depending on where you dine.
The oh-so-sweet pastel de nata is quite possibly Lisbon’s best-known gastronomic offering. One of these egg and custard tarts will usually cost less than €1.50 ($1.70).
Bacalhau is the Portuguese word for cod, and various forms of this delicious white fish are found on menus in every corner of Lisbon. In most cases, a bacalhau-based dish ranges from €15 ($17.60) to €20 ($22).
Grilled sardines are a firm favorite among both locals and expats, and a serving of these nutrient-rich fish is between €10 ($11) and €15 ($17.60) on average.
The average meal cost in Lisbon, Portugal, can be much less than you might expect if you know where to look. Budget travelers can still eat incredibly well here, largely due to the city’s delightful street food fare.
Most of the best street foods in Lisbon can go for a fraction of the price of a meal in a restaurant. Even if you have a bigger budget, it’s worth sampling these delectable streetside classics. Some of these dishes are sold in restaurants, too, but grab-and-go spots offer the best prices.
Prego is one of Lisbon’s most beloved sandwiches, and one of these steak-filled rolls can keep you full for less than €5 ($5.50).
Another must-try sandwich is bifana. You can enjoy one of these hearty pork sandwiches for around €5 ($5.50), and they make for a budget-friendly lunch.
Pão com chouriço is a simple pairing of fresh bread and spicy chorizo. This on-the-go snack is available in bakeries and marketplaces for between €2 ($2.20) and €3 ($3.30).
If you’re craving an inexpensive sweet treat but have overloaded on pastéis de nata, try out bolas de berlim. Get your hands on one of these sugary doughnuts for just €2 ($2.20).
Salgados are small, deep-fried snacks teamed with various savory fillings like meat, fish, and vegetables. They usually go for between €1.50 ($1.70) and €2 ($2.20) apiece and pair perfectly with an afternoon beer or coffee.
As you can see, the average meal cost in Lisbon, Portugal, can differ significantly depending on where you dine. Because of this, the city is as popular with luxury travelers as it is with backpackers, making it a top-tier destination for culinary connoisseurs of all budgets!
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