The standard of seafood restaurants in Lisbon seems to get better every time I visit the Portuguese capital. You’ve got forward-thinking chefs, a blend of old and new cooking techniques, and a prime location next to the Atlantic Ocean; it’s all you need.
On my Lisbon food tours, I’ve been lucky enough to showcase many of the top spots for fresh seafood in Lisbon for our foodie customers. The look of excitement on their faces when we take them to one of the many fish restaurants in just about every neighborhood in the city; it never gets old.
With so much competition in the seafood game in the Portuguese capital, it can be easy to get carried away. Instead of taking a risk with your next seafood feast, book yourself a table at one of these gorgeous seafood eateries in Lisbon.
Photo credit: Baía do Peixe
Baía do Peixe is a gorgeous seafood restaurant I ate in during my first trip to Lisbon. It’s situated steps away from the Arco da Rua Augusta in the Praça do Comércio but offers a super authentic dining experience despite its tourist-friendly location.
The outdoor terrace was filled with twinkling fairy lights and made the perfect setting for an early evening meal. From the charming surroundings to the exceptional staff, I was impressed with Baía do Peixe before I even sampled the food.
My buddy and I struggled to decide what to order, so the waiter suggested we try the seafood platter. This was a divine assortment of lobster, tiger prawns, and mussels.
Needless to say, it was the ultimate seafood feast for shellfish lovers. The lobster was some of the freshest I’ve ever tasted. Between the succulent meat and the slightly salty taste, I could easily have eaten it all by myself!
In saying that, the rest of the platter was just tasty. I loved the sweetness of the tiger prawns and how they contrasted against the buttery, almost velvety mussels.
Baía do Peixe – Praça do Comércio (€€) – Praça do Comércio 9, 1100-148 Lisboa – Portugal – Open every day from 12:00 am to 11:30 pm
Photo credit: Cervejaria Liberdade
I stopped at Cervejaria Liberdade on the ground floor of Hotel Tivoli for a quick lunch after spending the morning strolling along the famous Avenida da Liberdade.
It’s a rather upscale establishment with high ceilings, sleek wooden panes, and an expansive dining area. It was pretty quiet as I arrived just after midday, so I was lucky enough to secure one of the window seats overlooking the bustling boulevard.
When I arrived, the weather was chillier, so I wanted something healthy and nourishing to warm myself up. As soon as I spotted the seafood rice stew, I knew it was exactly the kind of dish I’d been craving.
This was a generously sized serving of stew, but I finished every last bite. Packed with juicy tomatoes, fiery paprika, and nutty garlic, the soup was rich and wholesome. These intense flavors enhanced the mildness of the grouper while complementing the delicate, savory clams.
Cervejaria Liberdade (€€) – Av. da Liberdade 185, 1269-050 Lisboa – Portugal (Ground Floor – Hotel Tivoli) – Open every day from 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm
Photo credit: A Marisqueira do Lis
Just north of the Moorish Quarter is Intendente, a historic neighborhood home to one of the best restaurants for seafood in Lisbon. A Marisqueira do Lis doesn’t get much of the glory its counterparts do, but these guys whip up some seriously delicious oceanic fare.
When I stepped inside, I was met by a laid-back but chic dining area. There was a slew of tables topped with crisp white linen, shelves lined with local wines, and a glass display filled with fresh shellfish. I knew before I even took a menu that this spot had me written all over it.
Every menu item sounded better than the last, including the fresh fish dishes, but I fancied something light. After many back-and-forths with myself, I eventually decided on the octopus salad and paired it with a glass of the house white, a classic and high-acidity arinto.
I don’t go for salads too often, but the colorful combination of octopus and vegetables just hit the spot. Out of the many octopus salads I’ve tucked into over the years, I’ve yet to find any that compare to the one I tried at A Marisqueira do Lis.
This vibrant plate of zesty tomatoes, crisp onions, and tender octopus was so refreshing. What I loved about this dish was the depth of the flavor profile, particularly the hints of peppery cilantro and sour lemon. The arinto, with its lime undertones, added to the dish’s tanginess.
A Marisqueira do Lis (€€) – Av. Almirante Reis 27B, 1150-019 Lisboa – Portugal – Closed every Tuesday, open every Wednesday to Monday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Lisbon’s bohemian Bairro Alto district is where you’ll find Cervejaria Ramiro. This Antony Bourdain-approved spot is among the most popular seafood restaurants in the city. Since opening its doors in the 1950s, it’s gone from a casual beer house to a mecca for world-class seafood.
Despite its exemplary reputation, Cervejaria Ramiro was much more chilled-out than I’d expected. The dining area was set over three floors, each with simple pale wooden furnishings, soft turquoise touches, and ocean-inspired tiling. Outside was a compact but lively patio.
A hefty queue was growing outside when I arrived, but I’d thankfully made a reservation. I took a quick glance at the menu and spotted everything from prego, a traditional steak sandwich, to scarlet prawns, but their iconic steamed goose barnacles were at the top of my agenda.
I’d never tried these delicacies before, so I had no idea what to expect. From the first bite, I felt like I’d missed these sweet and salty delights for too long. They had an exquisite, melt-in-your-mouth texture that was somewhere between that of a crab and an oyster.
Cervejaria Ramiro (€€€) – Av. Alm. Reis 1 H, 1150-007 Lisboa – Portugal – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Photo credit: Bono Lisboa
Bono Lisboa lies between the Chiado and Cais do Sodre neighborhoods and is probably one of the most underrated seafood restaurants in Lisbon I’ve visited. I came here by chance after spending an afternoon at The National Museum of Contemporary Art and arrived just as they opened.
This eatery is oh-so-stylish. With its mix of old-school stone archways, sleek black finishes, and warm wooden decor, Bono Lisboa seamlessly blends the old and the new. The dimmed lighting and friendly staff gave the dining area a trendy yet cozy atmosphere.
It took me quite a while to decide what to order, as Bono Lisboa was one of those spots where the entire seafood menu appealed to me. However, the waiter recommended the seabass with black rice and green curry sauce, which sounded too good to resist.
This seabass was presented beautifully, with crusted skin and surrounded by an aromatic pale green sauce. From the moment I dug into the moist and subtly fishy seabass, there was an explosion of diverse and bold flavors.
Every ingredient worked so well together. The gentle kick of curry was paired back with the earthy black rice, while the creamy coconut milk softened the slight bitterness of the broccoli and carrots.
Bono Lisboa (€€) – Calçada Ferragial 9, 1200-182 Lisboa – Portugal – Open every day from 7:00 pm to 12:00 pm
So many of Lisbon’s gastronomic creations center around high-quality seafood dishes, leading to an endless (and often overwhelming!) list of stellar restaurants to choose from.
Though I could easily make this list twice as long for my fish-loving readers, I’ve whittled my favorites down to bring you this vouched-for compilation of Lisbon’s finest seafood restaurants.
The post The 5 Best Seafood Restaurants In Lisbon appeared first on Eating Europe.
