Lisbon has long been a kid-friendly city break destination, so it stands to reason that the city has a plentiful supply of family-focused eateries. After dining in some of the best family restaurants in Lisbon, I realized that the quality of these establishments has never failed to exceed my expectations.
Family-style restaurants weren’t something I gave much thought to when I began my Lisbon food tours. Yet, I’ve noticed that some spots really go the extra mile when it comes to kids’ menus, play areas, and themed decor, ensuring the little ones enjoy the meal as much as the grown-ups!
Below, you’ll find my rundown of the best family restaurants in Lisbon, all of which I can attest to. They showcase the best of Portuguese food, offering a delightful taste of European cuisine in a welcoming setting.
Doca de Santo in the lively Alcântara neighborhood boasts both a play area and a dedicated kids’ menu, cementing its status as one of Lisbon‘s best family restaurants.
Although it’s a family-friendly eatery, Doca de Santo remains a stylish and sophisticated spot with a bustling patio area on the waterfront. When I met some friends and their kids here for lunch, every second table seemed to be full of families, too.
While the little ones munched on veggie-packed soups and grilled chicken, I opted for the shrimp risotto.
The shrimp lightened what’s often seen as a nourishing winter-ready dish. This dish fused soft, savory saffron rice with milky cheese, which was the perfect creamy pairing for the fresh, sweet shrimp.
Doca de Santo (€€) – Armazém CP – Doca de Santo Amaro, 1350-353 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every Monday to Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm and from 7:00 pm to 12:00 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am
Miolo is a happening little haunt in Belém, with a menu sure to please the palettes of the adults as much as the pint-sized diners.
The interior is exactly what I envisage when I think of brunch spots. Rustic wooden chairs, floral wallpaper, and pink-hued dried flowers make this place feel so chic, but it has a super laid back vibe.
Many of the children at our table had quite the sweet tooth, which meant that French toast and waffles were some of the most popular picks. I was craving something savory, so I chose the pork cheek sandwich.
It was certainly an adult portion, as I could barely finish it! However, I gave it my best shot, as the robust flavors of the tender pork, smokey bacon, and sharp parmesan were mouthwatering. They were stuffed inside a rich brioche bun that was golden in color.
Miolo (€€) – R. de Belém 36, 1300-083 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
In my experience, you can never go wrong with a pizzeria, no matter how young or old your fellow foodies are. Pizzaria Lisboa in Bairro Alto is part of Páteo Bairro do Avillez by chef José Avillez, and you have to check out this family restaurant if you’re planning to visit Lisbon with children.
The restaurant itself is stunning and set in a split-level industrial building with exposed brick and hanging plants on every wall.
Pizzas and ice cream are the main focuses here, so I wasn’t expecting to see such an extensive list of pastas. Nonetheless, a bunch of us had come for the pizzas, so we stuck with that, and I went for the ham and mushroom-topped option.
I always appreciate a thin base like the ones here. It stayed firm and crispy even with the generous serving of earthy, meaty mushrooms and salty ham. Beneath the topping were layers of zesty tomato sauce and springy, grassy mozzarella.
Pizzaria Lisboa (€€€) – R. Nova da Trindade 18, 1200-303 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every Monday to Friday from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm and every Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm and from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm
If it’s a unique dining experience you’re after, I suggest you make your way to Trobadores between Chiado and Baixa de Lisboa. After the meal, I shared it with some friends and their youngsters here. I can confirm it’s easily among the best family restaurants in Lisbon.
Even though I knew Trobadores had a medieval theme in advance, I was pretty impressed by the old-world decor. Inside, there were thick beams and clunky wooden furniture that instantly transported us back in time.
Even the menu looked as if it was several centuries old, but it was filled with an eclectic mix of dishes like roasted lamb.
I totally underestimated how exquisite this rack of lamb would taste. The distinctive gamey flavors and earthy notes were strong and punchy, while the buttery mashed potato and mildly sweet turnip greens were soft and mellow.
Trobadores – Taberna Medieval (€€) – Calçada de São Francisco 6A, 1200-005 Lisboa, Portugal – Closed every Monday and Sunday, open Tuesday and Wednesday from 12:00 pm to 12:30 am, Thursday and Friday from 12:00 pm to 2:00 am, and every Saturday from 2:00 pm to 2:00 am
A.P. F. Cafe & Restaurant in Estrela takes the term ‘family-friendly’ to another level, as they even have an in-house babysitter in their toy-filled play area.
Their dining area here is gorgeous, with a quintessentially Mediterranean patio covered with terracotta tiles and wooden canopies. It was surprisingly chilled-out here for a place that’s such a hit with young kids.
Our server informed us that the menu changes according to the season, so she went through the current offerings with us and shared some suggestions. As soon as she mentioned the meatballs, I was sold.
I selected the spaghetti add-on, and as homemade and perfectly chewy as it was, I could have easily eaten the meatballs on their own. The intense, beefy flavors mixed with the vibrant, zingy tomato sauce and subtle hints of garlic and umami onion deepened with each bite.
A.P. F. Cafe & Restaurant (€€) – R. das Trinas 67A, 1200-856 Lisboa, Portugal – Closed every Monday, open Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, Thursday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 10:30 pm, and every Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Kids and comic book fanatics alike are sure to love World of Heroes. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this Santo António establishment, but it was an excellent spot for all-American fare like mac and cheese, burgers, and milkshakes.
We found this place as a friend of mine has some comic book-loving kids. They had an absolute blast looking at the life-size superhero figures displayed on every wall, and there was such a wholesome vibe.
It’d been far too long since I’d dined somewhere with a menu like this, so I went all out and ordered the BBQ ribs. Not only was there a sizable stack of ribs on the plate, but it came with a portion of coleslaw and a mountain of fries.
The meat was almost falling off the bone, and their melt-in-your-mouth consistency somehow made the silky, tangy BBQ sauce even better. They were so delectable and satisfying, but the crunchy, refreshing slaw and lightly salted fries were needed to level out the flavors.
World of Heroes (€€) – Largo das Palmeiras 11a, 1050-168 Lisboa, Portugal – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Stō Restaurante is a modern tasca close to Arco da Rua Augusta. While some family restaurants have child-centered dishes that are different from the rest of the menu, Stō has kid-friendly options that are more in line with local cuisine.
Inside, it’s a blend of cozy and contemporary with a neutral color scheme and shelves of artisanal products and bright green plants.
I wasn’t in the mood for a full meal when I met my friend and his family here a few months back, so I went for their signature alheira croquettes. The delicate crackling batter balanced the meat’s deep, juicy flavors, which were infused with hints of peppery paprika and nutty garlic.
As we were leaving, I noticed the pasteis de nata on display. While I was tempted to get several of these custard tarts, I stuck with one as I had eaten far too many croquettes! Flaky pastry and cinnamon-imbued filling are what I always looked for in a pastel de nata, and this one definitely delivered.
Stō Restaurante & Mercearia (€€) – R. dos Fanqueiros 85, 1100-227 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every day from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm and from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Dining with kids while traveling can be a challenge, but Lisbon makes it easy with its array of family-friendly restaurants. Whether you’re craving traditional Portuguese cuisine or seeking out the best restaurants for a memorable meal, Lisbon has something to offer. From classic Portuguese dishes to a welcoming atmosphere in friendly restaurants, these spots promise a delightful dining experience for food enthusiasts of all ages. Enjoy the rich flavors and vibrant atmosphere that make dining in Lisbon truly special.
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